The Ford Barn

cuzncletus · 08-05-2010, 05:47 PM

Is there a way to convert a 39 trans to an open driveshaft? I don't recall seeing any kits or ways of doing this except maybe a 42-47 truck trans...I don't know. I'm putting an 8" Ford under my 39 and will eventually switch to a T-5 but I want to keep it running for right now.

hotrod8 · 08-05-2010, 06:39 PM

open drive kits for fords 32-48
hotrod john 330-468-3027

Hamtown Al · 08-05-2010, 07:29 PM

Poorman's approach is to find a 42-up pkp trans that already uses an open driveshaft that can be hooked to your later model rearend that you install using a Chassis Engineering complete rear end kit... if it was me. Good luck. Al

George/Maine · 08-05-2010, 09:00 PM

If your car can do 65 MPH, if not if you put a higher gears in rear and get more speed you would be better off.If you have the newer gears, its the same as truck trans,and a lot less work and keep it orginal.

cuzncletus · 08-06-2010, 07:27 AM

Hamtown Al; Yes, I am using the Chassis Engineering complete kit w/ an 8" Granada. I've ordered 3.70's for gears. And I will call Hotrod John to see what he has available.

G.M. · 08-06-2010, 07:32 AM

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I just saw the rear transmission adapter for an open drive shaft on either Ebay or Graigs list yesterday it was in the 15 dollar range and had the speedometer drive gear with it. G.M.

Hamtown Al · 08-06-2010, 08:33 AM

CuznCletus, I'd favor about 3.55, or so rear gear if I planned to do alot of highway traveling. The 3.70s will be more fun around town. GM came up with the best frugal option. Lucky to find one but economical and easier to utilize if you do. Changing rear of trans seems likely to be much less work than changing whole trans.
Way to go, GM! Good luck, Al

Richard (EV8G) · 08-06-2010, 09:06 AM

Also have to change the main (output) shaft and will need the u-joint yoke that fits the (more/smaller splines) shaft...

TomT/Williamsburg · 08-06-2010, 12:49 PM

This was on the HAMB where someone made up their own conversion (sorry if I'm repeating things here) but it looked like there was no speedo option - do a search on the HAMB and you will find several options.

Hamtown Al has it right though - try and find an open drive banjo rear and go that route. I even bought one from Al several years ago (he lives fairly close by adn we've been buying and selling to one another for years), open drive truck rear end, that actually had 3:54 gears (a surprise to both of us at the time).

One thing is to try and figure out what RPM you will actually run at with what gears, tire sizes, etc. If you eventually go to a T5 and you are presently running a 3:78 rear, I would stick with it and adjust tire size (taller) to reduce RPMs, an easier route (if not cheaper) IMHO. Once you install your T5 I think you will like the 3:78 as well, especially if you get the T5 with a .72 5th gear ratio.

Keep us all posted w/pics, please - us boys who play with flathead/Ford toys always love pics!

Rowdy · 08-06-2010, 01:23 PM

I have a 47 pu transmission I will be selling as soon as I get it removed from the pu. With the summer heat and lots of OT at work it may be a week or two before I get it and the 8BA engine removed. Rod

OLD...BILL · 08-06-2010, 01:37 PM

CUZNCLETUS;... I'LL TRADE YOU THE OUTPUT SHAFT AND COMPLETE SETUP,ie rear trans mount,speedo drive, and the bearing on the shaft, complete, for your complete output shaft, closed assemble. YOU PAY SHIPPING. you don't like it send it back, and I'll ship yours back, My trans is 42/48 truck, low miles and super clean, My car is also 39 deluxe. Note I am in norther California, where are you? ... OLD...BILL AT [email protected]

Mike B · 08-06-2010, 04:10 PM

OLD BILL, if CuznCletus does not work out with you, let me know...I'd be up for trading/swapping/buying from you.

cuzncletus · 08-07-2010, 08:35 AM

Old Bill, Mike B...Y'all get together and work your deal out. Old Bill, thanks for the offer but I've found a truck tranny that I'm going to look at next week. I'm in the acquisition mode on flathead parts and am up to three flatheads (two fresh) and two good 39 boxes.

One of the great problems facing baby boomers today is way too many of them have not planned properly for retirement. As you can see above, I'm not going to be one of those living out their golden years without ample resources.

08-05-2010, 05:47 PM	#1
cuzncletus Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Sevierville, Tenn. Posts: 391	39 trannie to open driveshaft Is there a way to convert a 39 trans to an open driveshaft? I don't recall seeing any kits or ways of doing this except maybe a 42-47 truck trans...I don't know. I'm putting an 8" Ford under my 39 and will eventually switch to a T-5 but I want to keep it running for right now.

08-05-2010, 06:39 PM	#2
hotrod8 Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: greencastle indiana Posts: 19	Re: 39 trannie to open driveshaft open drive kits for fords 32-48 hotrod john 330-468-3027

08-05-2010, 07:29 PM	#3
Hamtown Al Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Smithfield, Va Posts: 822	Re: 39 trannie to open driveshaft Poorman's approach is to find a 42-up pkp trans that already uses an open driveshaft that can be hooked to your later model rearend that you install using a Chassis Engineering complete rear end kit... if it was me. Good luck. Al __________________ 36 Fords Rule! Visit at www.36fords.com.

08-05-2010, 09:00 PM	#4
George/Maine Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mid coast Maine Posts: 1,878	Re: 39 trannie to open driveshaft If your car can do 65 MPH, if not if you put a higher gears in rear and get more speed you would be better off.If you have the newer gears, its the same as truck trans,and a lot less work and keep it orginal.

08-06-2010, 07:27 AM	#5
cuzncletus Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Sevierville, Tenn. Posts: 391	Re: 39 trannie to open driveshaft Hamtown Al; Yes, I am using the Chassis Engineering complete kit w/ an 8" Granada. I've ordered 3.70's for gears. And I will call Hotrod John to see what he has available.

08-06-2010, 07:32 AM	#6
G.M. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Florida and Penna. Posts: 4,471	Re: 39 trannie to open driveshaft Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I just saw the rear transmission adapter for an open drive shaft on either Ebay or Graigs list yesterday it was in the 15 dollar range and had the speedometer drive gear with it. G.M. __________________ www.fordcollector.com

08-06-2010, 08:33 AM	#7
Hamtown Al Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Smithfield, Va Posts: 822	Re: 39 trannie to open driveshaft CuznCletus, I'd favor about 3.55, or so rear gear if I planned to do alot of highway traveling. The 3.70s will be more fun around town. GM came up with the best frugal option. Lucky to find one but economical and easier to utilize if you do. Changing rear of trans seems likely to be much less work than changing whole trans. Way to go, GM! Good luck, Al __________________ 36 Fords Rule! Visit at www.36fords.com.

08-06-2010, 09:06 AM	#8
Richard (EV8G) Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: La Verne CA Posts: 432	Re: 39 trannie to open driveshaft Also have to change the main (output) shaft and will need the u-joint yoke that fits the (more/smaller splines) shaft... __________________ Early V8 Garage Pasadena Roadster Club

08-06-2010, 12:49 PM	#9
TomT/Williamsburg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Williamsburg, Virginia Posts: 2,657	Re: 39 trannie to open driveshaft This was on the HAMB where someone made up their own conversion (sorry if I'm repeating things here) but it looked like there was no speedo option - do a search on the HAMB and you will find several options. Hamtown Al has it right though - try and find an open drive banjo rear and go that route. I even bought one from Al several years ago (he lives fairly close by adn we've been buying and selling to one another for years), open drive truck rear end, that actually had 3:54 gears (a surprise to both of us at the time). One thing is to try and figure out what RPM you will actually run at with what gears, tire sizes, etc. If you eventually go to a T5 and you are presently running a 3:78 rear, I would stick with it and adjust tire size (taller) to reduce RPMs, an easier route (if not cheaper) IMHO. Once you install your T5 I think you will like the 3:78 as well, especially if you get the T5 with a .72 5th gear ratio. Keep us all posted w/pics, please - us boys who play with flathead/Ford toys always love pics!

08-06-2010, 01:23 PM	#10
Rowdy BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Location: Gothenburg Nebraska Just off I-80 Posts: 4,893	Re: 39 trannie to open driveshaft I have a 47 pu transmission I will be selling as soon as I get it removed from the pu. With the summer heat and lots of OT at work it may be a week or two before I get it and the 8BA engine removed. Rod __________________ Do the RIGHT thing - Support the H.A.M.B. Alliance!!!!

08-06-2010, 01:37 PM	#11
OLD...BILL Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Northern California,coast Posts: 552	Re: 39 trannie to open driveshaft CUZNCLETUS;... I'LL TRADE YOU THE OUTPUT SHAFT AND COMPLETE SETUP,ie rear trans mount,speedo drive, and the bearing on the shaft, complete, for your complete output shaft, closed assemble. YOU PAY SHIPPING. you don't like it send it back, and I'll ship yours back, My trans is 42/48 truck, low miles and super clean, My car is also 39 deluxe. Note I am in norther California, where are you? ... OLD...BILL AT [email protected]

08-06-2010, 04:10 PM	#12
Mike B Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oakdale,Ca Posts: 1,323	Re: 39 trannie to open driveshaft OLD BILL, if CuznCletus does not work out with you, let me know...I'd be up for trading/swapping/buying from you.

08-07-2010, 08:35 AM	#13
cuzncletus Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Sevierville, Tenn. Posts: 391	Re: 39 trannie to open driveshaft Old Bill, Mike B...Y'all get together and work your deal out. Old Bill, thanks for the offer but I've found a truck tranny that I'm going to look at next week. I'm in the acquisition mode on flathead parts and am up to three flatheads (two fresh) and two good 39 boxes. One of the great problems facing baby boomers today is way too many of them have not planned properly for retirement. As you can see above, I'm not going to be one of those living out their golden years without ample resources.