Which 9" Ford rear-end

I don't know exactly which 9" Ford fits, but I do know they are from early cars, such as 1957 era cars, and early Cougars, which makes them valuable and scarce because those cars are now very collectible.

Also, a 9" Ford is THE preferred rear for hot rods because it is so strong, which adds to its value. Therefore, junkyard specimens are pretty much gone, so folks who build hot rods and use them usually buy reproduction clones. (see #3 below).

Several suggestions: First,Google the web for "rear axle width", I no longer have that info but that's what I did. There are sites that have that info.



Second, a Ford 8.8 inch which comes in 5.0 Mustangs and many other applications is plenty strong for a 308. They are much more plentiful.



Third, if you must go with a 9" Ford, you can have one custom made, but that is expensive. Moser is one source.



Fourth, MoPar axles from late 60's fit, and have the Hudson wheel bolt pattern. I put a 1968 Plymouth Fury (full size car) axle in my 1940 Hudson. That family of axles is also strong, and used for racing. (My car is for sale - its axle will bolt into your pickup perfectly, hoses, and all. The e-brake cables might need to be changed for longer ones, but they are from a modern source. The axle is all new inside--3:55 ratio gears, bearings, brakes, everything. Check the recent White Triangle News for cars for sale.)



As for hangars, you can chop the Hudson ones off and re-use them, or have a welding shop fabricate new ones, or modify the ones that come with your axle.

A good source for welding and labor on rear axles is a shop that builds high-rise 4X4 pickup trucks. They swap axles all the time, and are familiar with the hidden problems such as getting the axle housing tilted at the proper angle so the car won't vibrate itself to pieces.

Good luck.

The perfect solution. Ford Explorer rear. They have good road gears, are 54 inches flange to flange are newer and usually in better shape, they come in either drum or rear discs. Ford explorers came with 302s so they will have no problem handling the power. I just bought a 2003 unit, with all disc brakes, calipers, rotors and emergency brake cables 5000 miles on it for $800.00 Canadian. Can't beat it. And unless you are going to drag race with it, you will never need to build it stronger. Ratio was 3.73. They also had one with 3.55. This is the new thing in hot rod rears. The wrecking yard I use is small but they had 6 to choose from, all priced according to years and mileage. I got the newest and paid the most. If you do not want rear discs, you could probably buy it for 300.00. The cost of one axle for a shortened 9 inch.

Just my 2 cents

Steve