1950 Wayfarer Coupe Rear End Swap

[oldskoolartcustoms]

Dropping a 383 Chrysler in my 50 with a T5 or other 5 or 6 speed manual. What's the go-to rear end you Mopar guys would use here? Thinking of going with 15x8 rears with 4 to 5 inch lip. I can weld n modify frame, if necessary. I think stock rear is 60.5" WMS. Thanks gentlemen. 

[matt167]

Well the 'go-to' rear end is out of a Cherokee and that won't quite be strong enough. The other go to is an Explorer rear and that's still not enough.. Your best bet is a narrowed 9" Ford

[Adam H P15 D30]

An Explorer 8.8 will plenty strong. You will shell that T5 long before the 8.8.  I’d look at a T56 instead of the T5. An 8” wheel might be a little too wide without frame narrowing. 

I have whipped the snot out of 8.8’s and it’s impressive how strong they are. Weld the axle tubes to the center section. 

 

Adam

[oldskoolartcustoms]

What year Explorer did you use? Post your ride up too. Thanks

[oldskoolartcustoms]

And is 60.5" a correct spec for stock 50 rear end? I figure about 58" will do

[wayfarer]

The '93-09 Ranger 8.8 is 58½ wms to wms.

[Adam H P15 D30]

2 hours ago, oldskoolartcustoms said:

What year Explorer did you use? Post your ride up too. Thanks

I used a 2001 Explorer 8.8 in my current build (the 47).  4.1 Trac Lock

Sorry, don't have the measurements handy.

 

I also used the factory Explorer sway bar, mounts and end links.  Made for a clean install

Edited May 1, 2018 by Adam H P15 D30

[oldskoolartcustoms]

Thanks Wayfarer and Adam. Looking online on Craigslist at 8.8s now.

[matt167]

Yeah I missed the part about T5... 383 and a T5, won't end well unless you have 4 of 8 cylinders disabled or drive it in the slowest, slow shifting you can possibly do.

 

An 8.8" will probably work. '95-'01 Explorer 8.8" does gain disc brakes and they are at 59-60" wide. I would have to take a tape measure to the one I have to know exactly.. Look for the ratio tag and look for an "L" code so you get traction lock

Edited May 2, 2018 by matt167

[oldskoolartcustoms]

Hello Matt. I'm actually going T56 to be safe. Now to find my bellhousing lol 

 

[MarkAubuchon]

go big, I used a 1968 roadrunner rearend with 3.55 gears, bolted right in using offset shackles