1955 Ford

Sid

Sid

Well-known member
Does anyone offer a posi unit for the pre 57 9" differential. I am very familiar with the 9" diff. My question is does anyone offer a posi for the 55 or56 car diff.
 
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any of the " posi " units for any year 9" will fit in a '57 9" housing. the '55, and '56 diff's are not 9", and I do not know of a source for that diff. A 9" "posi " ( Traction-loc ) is offered by several aftermarket companies. Currie enterprises comes to mind. there are others. Currie units are also sold through Summit racing. here is a link to Currie. http://www.currieenterprises.com/
 
My 55 caries a rear axle from a 1990 Ford Ranger pickup. Its the correct width, and has 3:73 Traction Loc. Mine came from a 4x4 Super Cab, so it has the big brakes. Be very careful when looking for Ranger axles, many had the small brakes and they are not enough under a car today.
 
The rear axles that were used in Mercury's, station wagons/courier and T-Birds in '55 and '56 (Dana 44's) have posi units available. I know at least Auburn makes them.
Don't know of a source for the passenger car rear axles though.

Sal
 
JeffB2 said:
The 1949-56 rear was a Dana 41 some folks think it is a Dana 44 which was in some early Ranch wagons and T-Birds, very few parts interchange between the two the Dana 44 is common in Jeeps.The 8.8 Ranger rear can be found in many Pick-A-Parts under $200 here is the info you want for picking one: http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/Ford-8_8-axle.shtml And this: http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/index-axles.shtml
Click to expand...



The Dana in my '55 Ranch Wagon is a 44. "44" is cast on the center section.
If looking at a Ranger rear axle, and it still has the tag under one of the rear cover bolts, look for an "L" at the end of the number. That means it's a locking rear axle. The number is also the gear ratio.

Sal
 
Thanks Sal For the Ranger do you need to move the pads and is it a 5 on 4.5 bolt pattern on the wheel?
 
you do have to move the mounts and it is a 5-4.5 lug pattern when/if you do the swap be sure to get the flange that bolts to the rear from drive shaft don't bother trying to save the spring perch as summit sell universal ones
 
My bird still has the Dana 44. After 3 sets of gears, a posi unit, two sets of rear disc, do yourself a favor. Get something modern you can just get parts for. They're a fine rear end, tough, but just a bit old. At least the old Ford housings, maybe more modern ones (jeep?) would be easier.
 
After welding new spring mounts on my Ranger axle, I had bearing trouble. I checked the axle for straight and it was not. I had to weld two beads opposite of where I welded the new pads on. That heat brought the housing almost perfect. No trouble since.
 
Thanks Guy's I have a 57 housing That I will probably use. I was just hoping to save myself a little extra work cutting and welding pads. The 57 pads are about 1" wider than the 55 pads.
 
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