1977 Versaille to 1972 Grabber?

Can somebody please let me know if the rear end from a 1977 Lincoln Versailles will fit my 1972 Grabber? I am also planning on using the brakes. Thanks!

 

That's what I have in my 70 - bolts right in but it is an inch wider on each side - hardly notice it

 

Here are some photos of my Versailles rear coming out of the Maverick when I was stripping it completely down.

 

It's only an inch total difference, the Mav is 57" and the Lincoln is 58". Spring perches are in the right spot but the tubes are larger. I had to buy 3" u-bolts and squeeze them to get them to go through the bottom plate/shock mount. Not sure if they're all like this but mine has a flange on the pinion instead of a yoke.

 

My center section isn't original to a Versailles. I'm using the "N" case that came out of my 72 Gran Torino Sport.

 

I have a versailles housing and axles I wanted to use but I don't have the versailles brakes. Can I use explorer disc brakes on the versailles axle?

 

I know you don't want to hear this, but the axles are for that housing only, and will not fit another 9", and the housing ends are totally different than anyother 9", but with that said............although I have never done anything with an Explorer rearend................I would say they won't fit. If you don't have the disc brakes the housing is one large boat anchor.
I put one of these (although complete) in my 66 Mustang GT......and back in the day it cost me a pretty penny to put posi and 3:50 gears in it.
Have you ever looked for a Monarch or Granada as they were options on all three cars from 75 to 80?
Good luck.

 

Well I just measured the housing and it's definitely NOT a versailles housing.

I should have said all this before but here's the rundown: I have a set of 31 spline Strange axles for a versailles rear. I know this is true because I personally had them made by Strange back in the early 90's when I had a versailles rear in my old maverick. When I sold the car I kept the strange axles and put the stock ones back in. Now I have my 72 maverick and I'd like to make use of the axles. So now a guy gave me a 9" housing that had the spring perches cut off and said it was a versailles housing. But like I said, I just measured the housing and it's 58.5" from housing end to end. Way too long to be a versailles housing. So can I narrow this housing and use my strange axles with some explorer brakes?

 

When I put the Versailles rearend in my 66 GT it fit perfect, now with that said when I went to have axles made for the rearend I had them done at Dutchman in Portland, OR. I know that the axles I had made could not be used in anyother 9" because they were different.............I just don't remember how different they were. You can always shorten the rearend but I think I'd call Strange and ask them.......since they made the axles for the Versaillies rearend I'm sure they should be able to give you the straight scoop...............don't quote me because that was almost 30 years ago, but I thought the Versailles housing ends were different than normal 9" housings because they had very special bearings and double seals, plus the axle was spaced out for the caliper.......................just too many years ago.

 

John, I sent you a PM. I need some 31 spline Versailles axels so maybe we can work something out. It might cost more to narrow your housing than axels cost.
Regards, Joe

 

As Mav70 said, the Versailles, Monarch, Granada disc brake rearends from 75/81 are 58.5" flange to flange and the Maverick are 56.5" flange to flange. One inch on each is fine, just remember this when getting wheels other than stock. Also, remember that they are all 28spline and will have highway gears, 2:75 or so. Also watch the pinion angle when you put it in the Maverick.

 

Thanks guys. Yes olerodder I'll have to contact strange and ask. The bearings are different because the axle doesn't use a traditional axle seal. The bearing is a sealed bearing and it has an o-ring on the outside diameter as well. The thing I'm most concerned about is the spacing from the bearing out to the axle flange.

Jm16, I replied to your pm. I have a jig and I can narrow the housing myself. So it's really all about the axles for me at this point.

 

My Versailles rear takes internal axle seals and sealed large axle bearings - I have no additional o-ring anywhere

Do you have any photo of the o-ring location?

 

The o-ring is on the outside diameter of the bearing. I think the traditional axle seal will not work due to the larger diameter of the 31 spline axle. This is why it's a sealed bearing as well.

 

With the inside oil seals, nothing other than a sealed axle bearing could be used but you may be right on a larger diameter 31 spline axles - possibly no room for the inside seals - my axles are the stock 28 spline - maybe that's the difference.