Narrowed Ford 9" Rear Axle Swap

This tech page will detail the fabrication and installation of a narrowed 9 inch rear-end in my 1963 Meteor. This will be done to accommodate the new 14x8 Crager SS/T reverse wheels I just purchased for the Merc!!!

Here's a pic of what the Merc will look like with the new wheels.

The new rear tires are about 10.25" wide at the sidewalls. They are 235/60/14 tires on a 14x8" rim.

After all the measurements were taken, it looked like I needed a 54" wide rear axle. I will be using a 1979 vintage big bearing 9 inch rear end housing from an F150. This rear-end has 31 spline axles with a 4 pinion differential and 3:50 gear ratio.

The housing is now cut and narrowed to 49" from axle tube flange to axle tube flange. 

Here's a pic of the custom axles I bought from Currie Enterprises in California. They are 31 spline axles from a mid 1970's Lincoln with rear drum brakes.

I will be able to use the stock 11" truck rear brake drums as they will just clear my 14" wheels. I've purchased new rear drums, wheel cylinders, shoes and a hardware kit. I've also installed new bearings in the 3rd member and a new pinion seal.

The installation is complete! The new rear-end was installed July 3rd, 2004 and it fit just great. Check out the pic's below.

THE FINISHED PRODUCT, THE MERC SPORTING A NARROWED 9" REAR-END WITH 31 SPLINE AXLES, 11" TRUCK DRUM BRAKES AND A 4 PINION CARRIER WITH A 3:50 GEAR RATIO. I ACTUALLY HAVE LESS TRACTION NOW THANKS TO THE LOWER GEAR RATIO, IT WILL SMOKE THE TIRES JUST PAST 5000-RPM FROM A DEAD STOP UNDER A HEAVY THROTTLE!