Thread: Need to narrow the rear, whats the best way

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Happy Thanksgiving!
I've got a 9" Ford Rear end (70-74 Ltd?) in my 56 Belair that I want to narrow. Is the best way to accomplish this to just take it to a machine shop? Is there a rear end that I could pick up a junk yard that would suit my needs? I want to bring the tires (295 width) in about 2 inches on each side.

Thanks for the advice.

Ford Falcons and Mustangs have 8" Ford rears, there 56" backing plate to backing plate, there a little lighter duty but as long as you don't have to much HP, they will hold up, Mavericks are the same 8". I'v heard you can cut the tubes with a pipe cutter, never done it myself. That is a nice car you have.

Thanks Matt, I was just looking at a table of rear end widths and my thought is I need a rear end in the 54" width area.
The models you mentioned (thanks) are still going to be a to wide. The leafs have already been moved to the inside of the frame to accomadate the 295s in the rear but I'd like the rear wheels to line up (laterally) with the front wheels...you know what I mean?

Thanks for the comments on the car. I picked her up a few months ago and so far have rebuilt the front end, switched out the drums for discs in the front, and went to power brakes with dual resevoir.

Think you are going to have to get it narrowed, don't recall a factory one that narrow. Might also check out Currie and Moser, they have some good prices on their units. Real quality pieces.

I get mine narrowed at a shop here locally, costs me $100.00. I usually run the Moser 31 spline axles, never have broke one.

Ford Granada,Lincoln Versialles,and the Mercury Monarrch's had a 54"wide 9" rear with factory disc brakes.I myself grab them everytime I come across them since they are getting harder to find.

Thanks Hemi, forgot about that one !!! On a good day I can usually remember my name !!!!!! CRS, ya know......

Thanks Hemi! this is what I was looking for. Dave's comments on the cost of having a shop narrow my existing rear has got me thinking I should make some phone calls and see what that would cost me. I'm just thinking less time spent searching/finding one these models.

Thanks again guys and Happy Thanksgiving

Charlie

No problem,only reason I remembered is I just put one in the garage!

Looking at your picture you may be able to do something with a different wheel offset. The ones you have look like they have a fair amount of negative offset. How much clearance do you have between the inside of the tire and the spring and wheelwell? You mentioned you have moved the springs inboard already, with a narrowed rear are you going to have to move them in even more? Will you have to mini tub the wheel wells then? If you have the room, you might want to look at different wheels before you start cutting or swapping read ends.

Pat

Hi Stu,
I want to keep the look of the Cragars and cost of switching them out with new wheels may wind me up sleeping in the garage with the car so....

I assumed I would have to do a mini-tub on the inner fender. I have VERY little clearance between the inner fender well and the tire. On the other hand I've got about 4" clearance between the tire and frame. The leafs have been moved to the inside of the frame.

Charlie

If your track width is the same front and back , id change the tires.If it's not ,then I would go with the rear end.

Hi Big,
I exposing my ignorance here but what do you mean by "track width"?

Charlie

Distance between wheel mounts.

Thanks Big, "eventually" my plan for the car is a subtle "prostock" look. Wide tires, slightly lowered front and back.

Oh,then cut that baby down. Found some reading=

http://www.pro-touring.com/forum/showthread.php?t=210