F-1 rear axle question

If you start in on an overhaul, the first thing you will note is that the pinion seal is kind of an oddball. You will have to use the later seal set up since the OEM is no longer available. Bearings and seals are interchangeable between the early f1 Dana 41 & the later Dana 44 clear up thru 1956. Mercury axles in the F1 years are nearly the same with exception of the spring mount pads. Mercury axles don't have the taller ratios unless they were Merc-O-Matic cars. Standard trans Merc models have the 3.91/3.92:1 ratios as the tallest available so they are lower than the average F1 at 3.73:1.

If you have a low ratio set of gears, you may have to hold out till you get an F1 axle with at least the 3.73:1 ratio. Merc-O-Matic gears may be too tall for an F1.
 
Martin, you can get them in either disc or drum. "PCD"?

Here's the lowdown on them, they are an 8.8" axle:
1989 – 2001 - Ford Explorer – 59 ¼ - ½” flange to flange.
All explorer rear ends are the same 5 on 4 ½” bolt pattern.
8.8” rear end - come with 3.25, 3.55, 3.73 and 4.11 gears.
89-94 = drum brakes only.
94-97 = drum or disc. brakes
97-01 = disc Brakes only

Can read more here: http://www.ford-trucks.com/articles...d-f-1-and-f-100-rear-axle-differential-swaps/

Note that perches have to be re-done, shock mounts, u-joint, etc. Once you have an 8.8 tho you have many choices of R&P's.
 
Ross, thanks for that, good info, will have a look at the link.
PCD = pitch circle diameter, or stud pattern.
Vanspeed, another thing to watch with the Merc axle, stupid pinion mount face "flange", requires a stupid universal joint. So swap the F1 pinion flange on.
Martin.
no giggling at the word flange.
 
Martin, I kind of doubt the Explorer axles can be re-drilled to a 5 @ 5-1/2" pattern like used on the trucks, not likely enough meat there. Adapters and a different wheel offset might get you there. Guys who go with the Explorer are usually going with an IFS that also has 4.5" BC, so it's not a problem, and actually has a wider choice of aftermarket wheels.
 
This is similar seniero I had with my 47. The huge lug pattern on the one ton lend me to shorten up a 2004 f150 axel 12" which is an 8.8. We redrilled to 5 on 5 1/2 so we could find wheels that we could mount up tires to. I know it's not stock but being in third gear under the traffic light and max speed of 40 wasn't much fun to drive which is the point:D
 
Ross F-1 said:
Martin, I kind of doubt the Explorer axles can be re-drilled to a 5 @ 5-1/2" pattern like used on the trucks, not likely enough meat there. Adapters and a different wheel offset might get you there. Guys who go with the Explorer are usually going with an IFS that also has 4.5" BC, so it's not a problem, and actually has a wider choice of aftermarket wheels.
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There are guys that add the necessary 'meat' to re-drill for 5 on 5.5. One example, Eric Vaughn, the Real Wheels guy, and part of the original group of guys that created Pete & Jake's, has done this conversion (for me and others). I know that Eric 'resists', and he doesn't like to do it, but the point is, a resourceful fabricator can duplicate what he has done, and create 5 on 5.5.
 
bobH said:
There are guys that add the necessary 'meat' to re-drill for 5 on 5.5. One example, Eric Vaughn, the Real Wheels guy, and part of the original group of guys that created Pete & Jake's, has done this conversion (for me and others). I know that Eric 'resists', and he doesn't like to do it, but the point is, a resourceful fabricator can duplicate what he has done, and create 5 on 5.5.
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That just seems like the juice is not worth the squeeze at that point. The right F100 rearends pop up on craigslist at least a few times a month and sit there at $100-$150.
 
GreenMonster48 said:
That just seems like the juice is not worth the squeeze at that point. The right F100 rearends pop up on craigslist at least a few times a month and sit there at $100-$150.
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Got mine for $75. Pinion felt OK (backlash) but I had it checked out, and it was very well worn. It ended up costing me $375 after new wheel bearings and seals, new spider gears, etc. I tend to agree, tho, the Explorer with discs and the 5 @ 4.5 is mostly appealing to street rods with the MII front end and other mods. I do wish the 9" was lighter!
 

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Ouch! I've yet to take mine apart. It's a '69 with 3.70 gears. I got a quote for $565 to rebuild and swap in a new R&P. Not a bad deal after a couple quotes of $800.

I agree though. That axle is crazy heavy.
 
Going to pick up the 3.92 axle on Thursday. I am going to swap until I find another 3.73 or redo mine. It's a farm truck, won't hurt.
 
I have one that is in my F1 project. It is a very very nice original. It was a 4 speed truck as well. I have a 57 9" differential for my 52 PUP and won't be using my F1 rearend. Now here's the deal, if you can wait until early fall (when I take it out) you can have it free, just pay shipping. 832-514-5668
 
El Rat said:
I have one that is in my F1 project. It is a very very nice original. It was a 4 speed truck as well. I have a 57 9" differential for my 52 PUP and won't be using my F1 rearend. Now here's the deal, if you can wait until early fall (when I take it out) you can have it free, just pay shipping. 832-514-5668
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That is a very nice offer! What year F-1?

I just picked up the freebee 51 rear end today. It was a very original unit. Brake lines were even original. The pinion feels awesome, no slop no nothing just nice and smooth. It did have the axle tag on it and it is 47 over 12 which is a 3.92. I have it all stripped down and ready for my brakes. There are no signs of leaks anywhere. Pretty happy.
 
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