So I've completely rebuilt the front end, new...EVERYTHING. and 5 lug disc's. But i still don't have five bolts on the rear, So i've been looking around and am getting mixed signals, first I see (I don't know whom I'm quoteing) "Only the maverick rear will swap completely, no other ford." then i see that a bunch of fords will swap but will just be wider? i don't know what I'm doing. I know a guy who's brother owns a junk yard, and he's going out to see his brother this weekend. I told him to look for '72 Maverick 5lug rear axle assembly, just to be safe. But are there any other fords that would fit that i could have him look for so that it widens our field of play. I've seen somewhere that a lincoln Versailles rear will swap too, but is just a little wider. Any rears I should know about, that will fit, and not make it too wide. Info Please?!?!?! I don't care whether it's drum or disc, actually perferably disc so I don't have to change the Master Cylinder.
Mav rears are pretty narrow as Fords go. Already having a 4 bolt rear, if you want to keep the stock width, you will want a complete 5 bolt Mav rear axle. Some have attempted to swap just the axle shafts into the 4 bolt rear, and the bearings are different sizes and incompatible. One thing about our cars, however, is that the rear tires are tucked inboard, a bit close to the leaf springs and a little more width helps center the tire in the wheelwell... useful if you want to stuff more meat in there with typical period-correct rims. 1980 and earlier Granada/Monarch/Versailles axles come in at 1.5 inches wider (58 inches overall width) So do late 60s Falcons. The leaf spring perches are already in the right position ... bolt in swap. Most of these will be 8" rears, plenty strong for a light car. Some GMVs will have ridiculously high axle ratios, too. If you already have an 8", your center section will be an easy swap ... they are all 28 spline axles. Some Versailles will be 9" and disc brake ... expect to pay for that too. Go any wider, and you will need to run newer style wheels that offset the tire inboard. OK if you are going for a modern look ... not so good otherwise.
Jeff, tell Lill thanks for helping you with this post.... i know she helped because there's good info. in it. ...LFF...:Handshake
All 8" center sections will swap, But you'll need the right size axles. So try to find a Maverick 8", 5 lug and grab it all. As far as 9" rear ends gp a 57 or 58 Ranchero or wagon is supposed to be a direct swap into a Maverick. But they are almost impossible to find. Any 8" rear will be enough for most street cars and occasional strip duty.
Thanks for the laugh, Frank ... Actually, Lil is starting to absorb Mav/Comet info by osmosis ... just by hanging around with me ... and she has been good for ideas here and there ... more in the way of style and design ... mechanically stuff escapes her... Every once in a while she gets a "hey, come out here and hold this wrench while I do this ... too. Very supportive, good to have around, and convinced that the Comet will be painted about a year earlier than I think it will be ...
how about a mecury Zephyr will it's rear axle swap into a mav. i can get one and wheels to go with it and the front for 200 bucks, if it swaps.
That should be newer than 1980 ... which means Fox chassis (Mustang), coil springs and 8.8 rear ... far from a bolt-in. The front will be strut suspension, too ... not even close. Sorry ...
9" Ford rearend Here is what I did in the beginning with my 72 Grabber, I pulled out the 5 lug 8" and measured it from flange to flange, then I took a 9" housing from a 69 Torino GT and measured that from flange to flange, subtract the 2 measurements, take that difference, lets say its 4 inches, take that in half and cut out 2 inches from each axle tube on the new 9" on mine I use Ladder bars with leaf spings, so I had to do away with the leaf spring pads and install roller housings so the leaf springs don't bind! in the area of the leaf spring pads take a pipe cutter or band saw with clamp(you want a nice clean and straight cut) and cut out that 2 inches from each tube, then mig weld the ends back on, so its the same width as the maverick rearend! and guess what, the maverick axles will work!!! find yourself some 8" maverick axles or even 76 mustang axles! you have to have an imagination to come up with this stuff! I even have a reenforced Ford 9" from a front engine dragster, its about 26 inches wide w/ an N-case carrier! Ed
