39/40 Rear end

Flip said:
What if any are the differences between a 39 and a 40 rear end? Thanks to all
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All '39 axles housings have a threaded hole for a grease fitting at the outer end - near the backing plate. In mid 1939, a plug was placed in this hole thereby (in effect) eliminating the grease fitting. In early 1940, that was redesigned and the threaded hole for the fitting was subsequently eliminated. Other than that, '39 - '40 "rear ends" are identical.
 
Another big diff.is 39 still has the big bolt pattern where the 40 had the 5 by 5.5 pattern for the wheels Cliff.
 
transbytip said:
Another big diff.is 39 still has the big bolt pattern where the 40 had the 5 by 5.5 pattern for the wheels Cliff.
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Good point. If someone was trying to better identify a rear end that they had come across, and the brake drums were on it, the drum bolt pattern would be a great help. Thank you.
Phil
 
39topless said:
Good point. If someone was trying to better identify a rear end that they had come across, and the brake drums were on it, the drum bolt pattern would be a great help. Thank you.
Phil
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I agree. Just looking for grease fittings, or threaded plugs in holes that were once used for grease fittings might be rather cumbersome and misleading, especially if these areas are covered with years of grease, oil, and a dirt mixed crud build up.
Even though brake drums could have been removed or swapped, they are still part of the rear. If someone is trying to ID a rear and it has '39 drums/hubs, it's more likely to be a ''39 rear than a '40 since a swap in drum/hubs is probaly more likely to have gone in the opposite direction to '40 drum/hubs, imo.
 
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