9" rear-end lengths?

[turbo minivan]

hey, new guy here looking for general info.
im gona run a 9" ford (eventually) but i hear they need to be cut down in length to work out and look proper.
are you guys cutting them down? by how much? did they make different lengths? could i just fix the length issue by using offset rims?
thanks.

 

[TRoadster]

Here's a list of different length Ford rear ends. I'm running an early bronco because I got it cheap.



Axle Widths:

• 65-66 Mustang 57.25 inches
• 67-70 Mustang 59.25 inches
• 71-73 Mustang 61.25 inches
• 77-81 Versailles 58.50 inches
• 67-73 Mustang, Torino, Ranchero, Fairlane 9" 59.25 inches to 61.25 inches
• 57-59 Ranchero and station wagon rears, 57.25 inches
• 66-77 Bronco 9", 58 inches
• 77-81 Granada/Versailles, 58 inches
• 67-71 Comet, Cougar, Mustang, Fairlane, 59.25 inches
• 71-73 Mustang, 61.25 inches
• 64 Falcon 58 inches
• 67 Cougar 60 inches
• 67 Fairlane 63.50 inches (coil springs)
• 72 Ford Van 3/4 ton 68 inches
• 73-86 65.25 inches
• 57-59 Ranchero and station wagon 57.25 iches (narrowest 9" housing)
• 66-77 Bronco 58 inches but has 5-on-5 1/2 inch diameter bolt circle
• 67-73 Torinos, Rancheros, Fairlanes 59.25 inches or 61.25 inches
• 67-71 Comets, Cougars, Fairlanes 59.25 inches

 

[der Spieler]

Here's another list that cover all major makes.

 

[akitagandy]

what length rear end is everyone running,wheel size and offset, and tire size. Just doing some research

 

[der Spieler]

I don't know what most are using but the 57 Ford station wagon rear end is probably the most desirable. If you want disc brakes on the rear you might look into a rearend out of a recent Ford Explorer. They have a good streetable gear ratio that will get you reasonable mileage, are the right width and they have the drum brake inside the disc rotor for the parking brake. Might be a little pricey but a disk brake conversion kit for a regular 9" is close to $500.

 

[Youngster]

if you are running ford hubs on the front (5 on 5 1/2"), the bronco will give you the same wheel pattern all the way around.

Ron

 

[der Spieler]

Ron, Ford car hubs are 5 on 4-1/2 aren't they

 

[Youngster]

not untill '49, before that, back to '26, they were 5 on 5 1/2".........

Ron

 

[der Spieler]

Okay (That was all I wanted to say but I have to post a message with at least 10 characters so I'm stretching this out a bit.)

I guess I'll add a little more. What about if a guy wants to run disk brakes on the front? Are there rotors and hubs with that bolt pattern? Of course if you are running bigs and littles it shouldn't matter. You will never put the bigs on the front and, when you are going down the freeway at 70 mph no one will notice anyway.

 

[Brucer]

also the explorer rear end, the pinion isnt centered, if you want to center the pinion you need another short axle from another donor explorer rear, and cut,if i remember correct its like 1 5/8 inches ,off the long side..

i remember this cause i cut one down for a guy to put in a 71 dart..

 

[Brucer]

and the cheapest way to put disk brakes on an older rear is to use the front hats off a jeep cherokee, and gm metric calipers.. and have rpm cut your caliper mounting brackets, hes probably got that pattern already..

 

[Rick]

What year Jeeps work and what type and year on the calipers?

 

[Youngster]

What about if a guy wants to run disk brakes on the front? Are there rotors and hubs with that bolt pattern?
..................................................................................................................

sure .... how much do you want to spend??

Ron

 

[turbo minivan]

i have 47? front hubs. i forget, its been so long since i ordered them.
im planning on running wire spindle wheels up front. im not looking forward to spending the $ on brakes for those.
but back to rear-ends for a second.... has anyone here cut theres down? i just remember always being told if i wanted a 9" id have to get it cut down since there WAY too long. ??

 

[Brucer]

i think its like 1992 front rotors for a jeep cherokee.. and the 77 and up gm metric calipers.. you can even get aluminum calipers from speedway.

i bet speedway has a kit using pretty much the same components..

i'll dig around and see if i can find some notes

 

[der Spieler]

Well I don't want to spend what I spent last time, Ron, with my Wilwoods but I want to be able to stop. I would prefer to use a little newer technology.

 

[Brucer]

i have cut many a 9inch down, its cake if you have the tools, and easy money

 

[Youngster]

one of the cheapest disc brake swaps for the old ford spinder is the volvo swap. hard to find the volvo parts now though. you end up with the chebby bolt pattern, (4 3/4")

Ron

 

[oldtman]

8o's lincoln town cars have rear discs that are all bolt on pieces... early versailles and big lincoln were welded caliper brackets to the rear tubes ... Mid 80's cad eldo and buick riv front wheel drive have bolted componets for the rear disc but are the GM 4 3/4 patern

 

[Rick]

Good info there thanks.What do you have to due to the master cyl?