Rear diff shoebox under Model A

5

55pannel

New member
Considering swapping the 31 closed diff
Over to open shoebox.
Having had a chance to measure
Drum-to-drum yet.
Has anyone done this?
Is this a good option
As the axle I'm looking at
Has been modified for the spring
Pirch etc
 
My guess is that it will be too wide. But that's just a guess. I put a Maverick Rear in my '54 Ranch Wagon and it fit just right. 56 1/2" WMS to WMS. I think a Shoe Box would be about the same WMS measurement. Don't know if this helps or not.


Also, Aren't the Shoe Box rears Dana 41's? If so parts aren't all that plentiful. And IIRC the rear u joint is the Mechanics or "Bat Wing" type. Seems to me that a Shoe Box rear isn't the best choice. But your car, your choice.
 
An early Mustang rear may work. Dont install it upside down. 3 speeds in reverse is interesting. I had a rear end out of an automatic in my 66 stick Fairlane. 2.80 gear.
90 mph in second. could not find a road long enough to put it in Third Gear.
 
Over the last 40+ years in the chassis business I built countless Model A chassis and 99% of them were built with a 56 inch outside width rear end
 
Thank you for your replies,
Confirmed it is too wide.
Just gonna leave the A diff where it
Is.
Thank you
Wes
 
I have heard about using the Ford Bronco to keep the 5 on 5 1/2 lug pattern but don't know about the width. You would probably get a better answer on HAMB, https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/forums/the-hokey-***-message-board.5/

Charlie Stephens
 
Watch it on those old 9" Bronco's. The diffs are built with a high pinion angle and when that is lowered to 'normal' , the wheel cylinders are angled quite a bit-hard to bleed. Done it. Newc
 
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