The Ford Barn

Flathead8 · 01-28-2011, 12:25 AM

What fits ? The stock third member is 57.5" hub and to hub and a Maverick is 56.5", which is perfect, but old and getting hard to find with a trac-loc. Explorer's are 59", Mustangs 60.5. Does any one know the width of a Ranger p/u ? I can't keep my flattie powered '49 hooked up on the strip and one wheel burn outs look aren't cool. Help!! Walt

rg49merc · 01-28-2011, 12:58 AM

57-59 9" rear ends from rancheros,wagons..65/66 mustang v8 rear ends..I'm using a 65 mustang rear just had to relocated the spring perch pad..

cougarmandan · 01-28-2011, 01:58 AM

I think the early Bronco's (66-77) had 58" rear end and they are 9". They had both big (31 spline) and little bearing (28 spline) versions all with drum brakes and leaf spring. According to the bronco forums (I frequent www.classicbroncos.com), they had the narrowest 9" and there are some variations on width according to who is measuring and some say 57.5" and others say 58". They are 5.5" on 5 lug so you might have to redrill to fit a car bolt pattern. Also popular is using explorer disc on these, but takes some work.

Tom Morookian · 01-28-2011, 06:55 AM

Jeep Cherokee fits perfect but I had to move the spring perches from the top of the axle housing to the bottom.

Ole Don · 01-28-2011, 09:01 AM

The Ranger pickup 8.8 from a 1990 or earlier is a good fit. The one in my 55 is 56 1/2 outside to outside. Mine came from a 4X4 Super Cab. its a 3.73 with traction Loc. Be very carefull with Ranger rear axles, some have very small brakes. If the axle comes out of a truck with the big engine for that year, you should be OK. The only downside is you have to cut the mounts off and weld on new ones on the bottom. The last two months the narrow cab model was built, it had a wider rear axle meant for the new wider body.

Barlea · 01-28-2011, 09:03 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Ford Explorer 8.8, use the short axle shaft on both sides and shorten the housing to fit, lots of track-loc 3:73 and 3.55 and disc brakes, 31 spline, common as dirt. ..B.

Flathead8 · 01-28-2011, 07:17 PM

Thanks for all the quick replies! It's off to the wrecking yard for a Ranger 8.8 trac-lockwhich should be easy and cheap. Early 9' are expensive up here and hard to find; metal work is easy and I have a rebuild kit for the 8.8. thanks again, Walt

Barlea · 01-29-2011, 11:09 AM

Look carefully at the 8.8 in a Ranger, many were 7.5 and look very similar, but they're a lot weaker. ..B.

01-28-2011, 12:25 AM	#1
Flathead8 Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Edmonds, Wa Posts: 6	8.8 in a shoebox???? What fits ? The stock third member is 57.5" hub and to hub and a Maverick is 56.5", which is perfect, but old and getting hard to find with a trac-loc. Explorer's are 59", Mustangs 60.5. Does any one know the width of a Ranger p/u ? I can't keep my flattie powered '49 hooked up on the strip and one wheel burn outs look aren't cool. Help!! Walt

01-28-2011, 12:58 AM	#2
rg49merc BANNED Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 87	Re: 8.8 in a shoebox???? 57-59 9" rear ends from rancheros,wagons..65/66 mustang v8 rear ends..I'm using a 65 mustang rear just had to relocated the spring perch pad..

01-28-2011, 01:58 AM	#3
cougarmandan Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 3	Re: 8.8 in a shoebox???? I think the early Bronco's (66-77) had 58" rear end and they are 9". They had both big (31 spline) and little bearing (28 spline) versions all with drum brakes and leaf spring. According to the bronco forums (I frequent www.classicbroncos.com), they had the narrowest 9" and there are some variations on width according to who is measuring and some say 57.5" and others say 58". They are 5.5" on 5 lug so you might have to redrill to fit a car bolt pattern. Also popular is using explorer disc on these, but takes some work.

01-28-2011, 06:55 AM	#4
Tom Morookian Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: N. Ft. Myers, Fl. Posts: 502	Re: 8.8 in a shoebox???? Jeep Cherokee fits perfect but I had to move the spring perches from the top of the axle housing to the bottom.

01-28-2011, 09:01 AM	#5
Ole Don Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: St. Michael, Minnesota Posts: 1,713	Re: 8.8 in a shoebox???? The Ranger pickup 8.8 from a 1990 or earlier is a good fit. The one in my 55 is 56 1/2 outside to outside. Mine came from a 4X4 Super Cab. its a 3.73 with traction Loc. Be very carefull with Ranger rear axles, some have very small brakes. If the axle comes out of a truck with the big engine for that year, you should be OK. The only downside is you have to cut the mounts off and weld on new ones on the bottom. The last two months the narrow cab model was built, it had a wider rear axle meant for the new wider body.

01-28-2011, 09:03 AM	#6
Barlea Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: West Central Alberta Posts: 441	Re: 8.8 in a shoebox???? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Ford Explorer 8.8, use the short axle shaft on both sides and shorten the housing to fit, lots of track-loc 3:73 and 3.55 and disc brakes, 31 spline, common as dirt. ..B.

01-28-2011, 07:17 PM	#7
Flathead8 Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Edmonds, Wa Posts: 6	Re: 8.8 in a shoebox???? Thanks for all the quick replies! It's off to the wrecking yard for a Ranger 8.8 trac-lockwhich should be easy and cheap. Early 9' are expensive up here and hard to find; metal work is easy and I have a rebuild kit for the 8.8. thanks again, Walt

01-29-2011, 11:09 AM	#8
Barlea Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: West Central Alberta Posts: 441	Re: 8.8 in a shoebox???? Look carefully at the 8.8 in a Ranger, many were 7.5 and look very similar, but they're a lot weaker. ..B.