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Old 04-30-2002, 02:41 PM   #1
1971Stepside
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Post 9" Ford vs Stock Rearend---Help!

I want to convert my stock rearend over to disc brakes. I see the kits are around 500.00 bucks plus shipping. In addition, I will need to put posi in the rearend.

A gentleman I know here in my town suggested that I buy a 9" Ford rearend that has disc brakes and convert it over for my truck.

First off, how much should I expect to pay for a 9" Ford rearend from a salvage yard?

Will it already be posi track?

And finally, what kind of modification will have to be made to the axle in order to get it to fit under the truck (I have coils). I see that Chevy Duty has a Rear Axle Conversion Kit for 140.00...is that worth it?

Thanks for your help.

------------------
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1971 Chevrolet 1/2 ton 2WD Short/Step Side. In process of frame off restoration
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1971 C10 Stepside. LSx 6.0 with BTR Stage IV, Speed Engineering Headers, 4L80e transmission w/3200 Circle-D Stall. 3.73. Posi. Purchased this truck when I was 17. I started the rebuild (or take apart) in 1993. I have drug it around all over the country in pieces. Finally back on the road in 2021.

"I can't complain, but sometimes I still do. Life's been good to me so far."
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Old 04-30-2002, 03:39 PM   #2
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Hi,

I put a 9" with disc from a Lincoln Continental in my 67 SWF fleet.

These rear-ends usaully are geared at 3.00, they are the same width as 71-72 rear-ends (1 inch wider then 67-70) and have a 5 on 5 lug nut pattern.
You will have to cut and grind off 3 sets of brackets, and then add a new set of perches (around $30-40), then you also have to deal with the panhard bar mounting. I lowered my truck 6inches in the rear, and used an adjustable panhard bar with a new mount that is bolted to the tailing arm.

Depending on where you get the rear end, price is usually around $200 to $500.
I paid $125.00 for mine, then put in about $200 in new bearings, seals and labor. Don't forget about new or rebuilt calipers, turn the rotors if they are good, and new pads.

I also was able to get two more 9inch rear ends during a half price sale at a local Pick-n-Save where we paid $34.00 for one (guy rang it up wrong) and paid $60.00 for the other.

So all in all, if you must have the 9 inch, do it, but if you don't need it, or money is the issue, I would check out the conversion kit for $140.00 (although that sound cheap, does it include calipers and rotors?)



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Old 04-30-2002, 03:48 PM   #3
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Hey John, thanks for the info. The conversion kit I mentioned was just to convert the 9" to fit on the trailering arms and for the panhard bar. The actual disc brake kit is close to 600. I am figuring that if I convert my stock axle, add new bearing, seals etc, and a 3.73 locker I will have over a grand in it easy!! I don't want to do that.

Are the gears in the Lincoln rearend ok or did you change them out?

Do you have any pictures of your truck that I could see? I will do the 4/6" drop on mine as well and would love to see your set up.

What about brakes. Did you have to change out your lines or your petitioning valve?

------------------
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1971 Chevrolet 1/2 ton 2WD Short/Step Side. In process of frame off restoration
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1971 C10 Stepside. LSx 6.0 with BTR Stage IV, Speed Engineering Headers, 4L80e transmission w/3200 Circle-D Stall. 3.73. Posi. Purchased this truck when I was 17. I started the rebuild (or take apart) in 1993. I have drug it around all over the country in pieces. Finally back on the road in 2021.

"I can't complain, but sometimes I still do. Life's been good to me so far."
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Old 04-30-2002, 05:56 PM   #4
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Hi,

Take a look at www.earlyclassic.com, there have the perches and panhard bar kit that I used (came with a 4/6 drip kit that I brought).

I took my time looking at different Lincolns in the junkyard, looking for that one car that was taken care of, not beat on. When I found that car, the gears looked brand new.

I made new steel brake lines, used new rubber lines for the calipers, and have a new proportioning valve (one for four wheel disc).

there are some photos on my web page in signiture. Let me know if you want some specific pictures...



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Old 04-30-2002, 08:56 PM   #5
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OK John here's the tough question.
How wide is a 71-72 truck rear axle? Provide me with the actual sizes for our trucks and I'll tell you guys what vehicles have Ford 9" rears with and without disk brakes that match.
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Old 05-01-2002, 08:25 AM   #6
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I believe the 71-72 has a 71" rearend. John would probably know better. I would be interested in knowing what vehicles have the 9" with disc.

I got the cab off the frame last night! I am down to the frame now. I hope to get the motor and tranny out over the weekend.

I think I will hit a junkyard or two as well.

------------------
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1971 Chevrolet 1/2 ton 2WD Short/Step Side. In process of frame off restoration
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1971 C10 Stepside. LSx 6.0 with BTR Stage IV, Speed Engineering Headers, 4L80e transmission w/3200 Circle-D Stall. 3.73. Posi. Purchased this truck when I was 17. I started the rebuild (or take apart) in 1993. I have drug it around all over the country in pieces. Finally back on the road in 2021.

"I can't complain, but sometimes I still do. Life's been good to me so far."
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Old 05-01-2002, 11:04 AM   #7
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Hi Guys,

I will get the measurement tonight and post it tommorow (Thursday).

As for the Lincolns that have rear disc, I will try to get to a parts store that will let me browse the brake parts book and post that as well....



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Old 05-01-2002, 02:24 PM   #8
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OK, here's the info I have

ALL of these vehicles have 5X5 bolt patterns and they also had 9" rears.

1972 - up Full size Wagons, Rancheros, and Lincolns. Widths were 61 1/4", 63", and 65".

1973-77 Marks and T-Birds. Widths were 63"

1965-69 Lincolns. Widths were 61 1/4".

1973-77 Lincolns. Widths were 63".

Rear disk brakes were available on all models except the Ranchero's. But fairly rare on anything except the Lincolns and Marks.

:note: By a WIDE margin, most 9" axles will house 2.75 through 3.00 gears.

This info is from Currie Enterprises.
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Old 05-01-2002, 02:27 PM   #9
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I have a 9"
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Old 05-01-2002, 03:23 PM   #10
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I only hope you are talking about a Ford rear end!

So, I need to find a 73 to 77 Lincoln sounds like. How do the 3.00 gears compare to the 3.73's in our trucks? Are the Lincoln's positive track.

------------------
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1971 Chevrolet 1/2 ton 2WD Short/Step Side. In process of frame off restoration
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1971 C10 Stepside. LSx 6.0 with BTR Stage IV, Speed Engineering Headers, 4L80e transmission w/3200 Circle-D Stall. 3.73. Posi. Purchased this truck when I was 17. I started the rebuild (or take apart) in 1993. I have drug it around all over the country in pieces. Finally back on the road in 2021.

"I can't complain, but sometimes I still do. Life's been good to me so far."
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Old 05-01-2002, 03:32 PM   #11
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Oh 9" Ford rear-sorry,also check into the 8 3/4 Chrysler believe there axle shafts ate thicker.but would give you the 1/2 bolt pattern
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Old 05-01-2002, 06:14 PM   #12
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As a note , the 9" fords will have the pinion offset to the pass side......it shouldnt cause any trouble ,unless you have mufflers in its path.......69
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Old 05-01-2002, 10:23 PM   #13
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Don't forget about the trailing arm loop. I've seen a couple that were pretty close on one side.
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Old 05-02-2002, 07:55 AM   #14
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Well here's my take. I put a 9" in my Jeep and checked a lot of info on them. Here's what I found. Dont use use one from a car because they have smaller berings then a truck or van. You want the housings with the longer sides (part where the tubes go in) because they are stronger. And just as a side note I herd that the Granada had truck rears in them. It doesnt meen that this is fact. Just check your info. Mesure twice cut once.
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Old 05-02-2002, 08:01 AM   #15
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The disc brake rears also have the large bearings(mostly lincoln,same size bearings as the trucks).........69
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Old 05-02-2002, 02:26 PM   #16
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ttt

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1971 C10 Stepside. LSx 6.0 with BTR Stage IV, Speed Engineering Headers, 4L80e transmission w/3200 Circle-D Stall. 3.73. Posi. Purchased this truck when I was 17. I started the rebuild (or take apart) in 1993. I have drug it around all over the country in pieces. Finally back on the road in 2021.

"I can't complain, but sometimes I still do. Life's been good to me so far."
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Old 05-06-2002, 09:44 AM   #17
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John, any luck with those measurements?

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1971 C10 Stepside. LSx 6.0 with BTR Stage IV, Speed Engineering Headers, 4L80e transmission w/3200 Circle-D Stall. 3.73. Posi. Purchased this truck when I was 17. I started the rebuild (or take apart) in 1993. I have drug it around all over the country in pieces. Finally back on the road in 2021.

"I can't complain, but sometimes I still do. Life's been good to me so far."
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Old 05-07-2002, 12:49 AM   #18
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Hi,
I did the conversion on my 68 stepside and it's one of the coolest upgrades.....a five lug Ford 9 inch rear with disc brakes. Too bad it didn't come with 31 spline axles, but the 28 spline work fine. Another great thing about this rearend is that you can easily swap-out the third member for one with a posi. If your lucky you can find one with a posi already in it. Good luck
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Old 05-07-2002, 09:06 AM   #19
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tamura, I would love to see some pictures of your truck if you have any available. Sounds like the way to go. Would you mind sharing the amount that it cost you to do the "swap"?

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1971 Chevrolet 1/2 ton 2WD Short/Step Side. In process of frame off restoration
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1971 C10 Stepside. LSx 6.0 with BTR Stage IV, Speed Engineering Headers, 4L80e transmission w/3200 Circle-D Stall. 3.73. Posi. Purchased this truck when I was 17. I started the rebuild (or take apart) in 1993. I have drug it around all over the country in pieces. Finally back on the road in 2021.

"I can't complain, but sometimes I still do. Life's been good to me so far."
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Old 05-07-2002, 09:40 AM   #20
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Is it the EXACT same length or possibly a little shorter/longer than stock?
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Building a small, high rpm engine with the perfect bore, stroke and rod ratio is very impressive.
It's like a highly skilled Morrocan sword fighter with a Damascus Steel Scimitar.....

Cubic inches is like Indiana Jones with a cheap pistol.
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Old 05-07-2002, 10:29 AM   #21
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It is my understanding that it is the same exact lenght for the 71-72, but the 67-68's it is an inch longer??? Not sure about the 69-70 because somewhere in there GM changed the axle length.

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1971 Chevrolet 1/2 ton 2WD Short/Step Side. In process of frame off restoration
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1971 C10 Stepside. LSx 6.0 with BTR Stage IV, Speed Engineering Headers, 4L80e transmission w/3200 Circle-D Stall. 3.73. Posi. Purchased this truck when I was 17. I started the rebuild (or take apart) in 1993. I have drug it around all over the country in pieces. Finally back on the road in 2021.

"I can't complain, but sometimes I still do. Life's been good to me so far."
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Old 05-07-2002, 09:08 PM   #22
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Go with the 9"!! I put one in mine out of a late 60s' full size Lincoln. It was 1" wider than stock and I am running 10" wheels. Fits like it belongs there. All the info everybody posted is correct. DO IT

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Old 05-07-2002, 09:46 PM   #23
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all these axles are close enough widths that you wont have any problems with them, even the full size GM 8.5" axles are same widths within an inch or inch and a half

i had a 2.something ratio 9" under an 81 or 82 F150 i was gonna keep but i accidently sold complete truck but that turned into a nightmare, wish i had just cut the truck up and sold the axle now,.., had one under a 69 F100 i was not smart enough back then to think about keeping, plus i had no torch at the time. it was laot lowewr geared, around 3 or 4 something, i learned my basics on that truck,

i can provide axle width measurments of trucks in 64-82 if needed, there are three widths in those years,(12 bolt)

good luck!


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Old 05-08-2002, 02:00 AM   #24
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I agree with fleetimus....go for it. The conversion ran me about $250. The ford 9" disc brake rearend was under $100 at the local Pick-N-Pull 1/2 off sale. I paid $125 for the 28 spline posi with 3.00 gears. I bought some pipe at the local hardware store ($5) and I used a old tierod end and my existing panhard to make a new one to fit the new rear. Don't forget the gear fluid and posi additive...$20?? The u-joint from the driveline to the third member was the same.....some are different. So the cost of the conversion was around $250. I get some pictures for you...I'll try to post them if I can, I'm new at this. If I can't then I'll email them to you.
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Old 05-08-2002, 09:52 AM   #25
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Hey tamura, post some pics of that set up. Are you using the f@&d 9 inch e-brake set up?
Is your truck coil spring? Did you cut and weld perches?
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