Hey, got a few questions for ya. My buddy's got a Ford 9" rear with a 8 bolt lug pattern (I assume that means 1 ton). My question is can he swap axles out for 5 lug pattern? It came from a 78 or 79, and he wants to put it in his '78 F100. Also, are any rear disc brakes compatible with this rear end. I know with most Chevy 10 bolts brakes are quite easily interchanged, but I really know very little about Ford...

thanks...

 

Yeah you could do it, but you will lose weight capacity. Plus you would have to buy different mix match wheels if you ever wanted to go custom. I just put a 79' Ford 9 inch in my 95'. Man was that a lot of work. Worth it in my opinion though.

The hardest thing to find will be the conversion U-Joint (you might not need one though)

Double check something before you start this project: The width of both complete axles.

With the brakes, I have no idea.

Pete

 

Well, that was my question, can the axles be swapped out easily for an axle with the same 5 lug pattern as the existing front? As far as capacity this truck may tow a light load, but will never see anything heavy in the bed. And the width shouldn't be a problem, since both trucks are the same body style, and then one is a F350 and one is a F100 that are nearly the same. Very little changed from 78 to 79.

 

Then you should be good to go

Good luck!

Pete

 

Are you sure its a 9 inch? Most older 3/4 tons had a Dana 60.

 

Honestly no. I'm only going off what he's told me. The truck is about is about 4 or 5 hours away. It is an 8 lug he tells me, though, so shouldn't that be a 1 ton? 3/4 would be a 6 lug?

 

If it has 8 lugs its a 1 ton or a 3/4 ton.

Ive never heard of a 9in with 8 lugs.

 

me either, Good point.

 

If it's an 8 lug rear it's a 3/4 or a 1 ton, Ford didn't use 6 bolt, that's a Chevy thing. As far as swapping the axles in the rear itself, I don't think you could do that without finding a axle bearing that would fit both the axle and the rear and unless the backing plates from the smaller rear would bolt to the larger rear there is no way you could get the 5 bolt drum on it. Also if it's the rear with the external hub you won't be able to do it anyway, it's an entirely different setup.
Personally I'd say it is a waste of time, unless you are looking to haul some heavy loads the 5 bolt rear that's in it is plenty heavy for the truck.