Ford 9" w/ stock trailing arms ??

[jweb]

Anyone running a ford 9" or 8.8 with stock trailing arms?

I already have axle perches made by captainfab for the 3.25" axle tubes.
Will I need different u bolts since the axle tubes are larger, and will the larger u bolts go through the stock trailing arms and shock mounts?

Any other issues?

[CHIZZLER]

Im using a 14 bolt with captain fabs perches and porter built trailing arms with a factory U bolt and had no problems.

[jweb]

Hopefully I have the same luck. I was concerned the 3.25" axle would spread the bolt and it wouldn't go through the stock arm.

I guess I will find out soon, I will be putting in an Explorer axle and bagging the back of my suburban today.

[The Rocknrod]

3.25", interesting.

[jweb]

Originally Posted by The Rocknrod

3.25", interesting.

The ford axles have 3.25" tubes. I believe the stock axle tubes are 3" and the 14 bolt that Chizzler used is 3.25 or 3.375.

[LostMy65]

I also put a 14-bolt in my old 66. But it was a 3/4 ton. Which makes me wonder if there is a difference between the 1/2 ton and 3/4 ton trailing arms. So, I guess if there is, and you have trouble getting the larger radius u-bolt in your 1/2 ton trailing arms, you could look at perhaps finding some 3/4 ton trailing arms. That is if they have a wider spacing between the mounting holes.

[The Rocknrod]

'66-'70 full size Fords and Mercurys, '71-'72 Lincolns and '68-'72 F100 Ford trucks have 31-spline axles, large ball-type axle bearings and a 61" overall width (measured from drum face to drum face). Some of these units also have large 3-1/4" axle tubes, rather than the standard 3." Remember though, that a traditional 9" third member must be exchanged for the unacceptable 9-3/8 ring gear found in most housings with the 3-1/4 tubes. Another favorite, especially with street rodders, is the '79-'81 Lincoln Versailles rear end. An extra thick wall housing, factory disc brakes, 28 spline axles, large ball type axle bearings, leaf spring mounting pads and a 58-1/2" overall width make it a natural swap in most cars of the thirties and early forties.
'77-'80 Lincoln Versailles (and '75-'80 Granada/Monarch) 9-inch disc brake housing tubes are 3".
'57-'59 Ford big car, Ranchero/station wagon 9-inch rear tube diameter is also 3".

[jweb]

It fits, no problem at all.

On my '51 when I switched from a Nova axle to an Explorer axle it was a real pain. I had to get new u bolts and modify the trailing arms to fit the wider bolts.

Thanks for the quick replies.