9" Rear End Questions!!
 

I know 9" rear ends are the way to go for durability, strength, and all around Ford pride. What I'm curious about is what cars were they installed on that had a similar (or equal) width as that of a 1965 mustang. What kind of leaf spring problems can I run into? Are the pads wide enough, what kind of modification would be involved? I'm done with my suspension (mainly front) for the most part and I'm going on to focus on the drive train, so I am trying to get some info so that I can start collecting parts (Saturday Junk Yard Visits) for the swap. In case you need details as to what I am looking to do...

Desired drivetrain:

T-5Z World Class Transsmission
9" Traction-Lock Rear End
Eventually want 16-17" tires (Whatever I go with will be same size all around)
Leaf Springs?
Cross Member? (Ron Morris?.....ModernDriveline?)]
Mainly a driver car w/High Performance Engine (Probably looking at 350-370 HP on a 289 engine).
May see Saturday Race Driving 1-2 times a year.

I'm just trying to get a good idea of what I am getting into. Any and all info would help! Thanks!

The 65-66 uses a 57.25 diff. Factory ones the same width are the 57-59 rancheros and station wagons. The later mustangs till 70 were 2' wider. The 1977-1981 Versailles rears are 58.5. pretty close, but might give you grief. Hope this helps.

Great info, the question now is: Will the pumpking from say a '57 ranchero fit right in the place of my current 8" without having to modify my axle? <---Not sure if this is a dumb question, but even if it is, I wouldn't mind getting an answer and looking dumb :D ! Of those diff's on the 57-59 ranchero's, did they come with traction-lok or where they open rear's? Thanks!:cool:

The pumpkin from a 9" will not fit into an 8" housing. You're looking at changing the entire thing, from brake drum to brake drum, depending on the 9" you get. The rear ends from the late 50's are getting hard to find. Most any thing else will have to be shortened by a shop and your looking at $$$. For a few more $$ you can get a new 9" from Currie that is made for your car. HTH

Go for the `980 granada 9 inch. Its a perfect replacment for the 8 inch you have, the brakes and axles you have will work with the granada housing. They are kinda rare but not as much as the 57 axle or the hipo axle and plus they are a much stronger design.

about the versallies rears. arent versallies hard to find i cant find any in my area.

The vesi rear axle is way easier to find than the 1980 granada axle and the hipo axle. The problem is that you wont be the first to find it, someone who sells em for a profit usually gets em first. You should ask around to find one. You can bet that someone has a stock pile of them just sitting.

I read on a falcon site about guys running the Explorers rear end. But I'm not sure the width, and I'm pretty sure its an open rear. It's 9" though, with 5 lugs and discs.

the exporler diff is a 8.8, pretty sure it can come as a posi, not sure of the width.

I know 9" rear ends are the way to go for durability, strength, and all around Ford pride. What I'm curious about is what cars were they installed on that had a similar (or equal) width as that of a 1965 mustang. What kind of leaf spring problems can I run into? Are the pads wide enough, what kind of modification would be involved? I'm done with my suspension (mainly front) for the most part and I'm going on to focus on the drive train, so I am trying to get some info so that I can start collecting parts (Saturday Junk Yard Visits) for the swap. In case you need details as to what I am looking to do...

Desired drivetrain:

T-5Z World Class Transsmission
9" Traction-Lock Rear End
Eventually want 16-17" tires (Whatever I go with will be same size all around)
Leaf Springs?
Cross Member? (Ron Morris?.....ModernDriveline?)]
Mainly a driver car w/High Performance Engine (Probably looking at 350-370 HP on a 289 engine).
May see Saturday Race Driving 1-2 times a year.

I'm just trying to get a good idea of what I am getting into. Any and all info would help! Thanks!

Trans...$1,600 including adapters, crossmember, etc. More if you are now automatic.

9" TL...$900

Tires & Wheels...you can figure it...

Leaf Springs (Eaton-Detroit) $200 tops
Coils (ProMotorsports Engineering/Eibach) $160
Crossmember...depends on your choice of bell housing. If you use Toploader bell housing/adapter plate then California Pony Cars. $300.

Engine...sky is the limit and you'll be flying high at 350hp or above. Won't be much of a driver due to high state of engine tune. If this is your goal, then 351w is what you really want. In the end, it will be as cheap or cheaper.