Difference in Diffs - Ford vs. Plymouth

[Bob Riding]

My buddy Ryan is over today to weld shock towers to my '92 Ranger differential that I installed in my '51 Suburban.

Originally I was going to stay with the stock Plymouth rear end but the automatic trans I was installing (GM 2004R) eliminated the stock tailshaft brake, so the Ranger fit the chassis and had E brakes on the back wheels.  I'm curious as to what the difference in riding and driving (if any) there would be between a 1951 Plymouth and 1992 Ford Ranger rearend, both with 3:7 and 3:73 ratios?

[Plymouthy Adams]

you show stock springs hangers and silent block, new shocks may be valved for a better reponsive ride...along with modern tires..other than that you not changed anything except weighted metal.  

[Los_Control]

I would guess there will be a possible noticeable difference  in noise .... quieter gears with modern tooth cutting. Less play on the yoke.  Better brakes. I know Lockheed brakes are superior if adjusted properly. ..... Takes lots of maintenance to keep them up .... modern self adjusting brakes that possibly are larger then the original will be quite good. Far easier to maintain with available parts ..... Same story with using modern u-joints ..... It is a improvement in my opinion, unless you are going for a 100 point restoration.

 

You have not changed the suspension so your ride will not change.

[Bob Riding]

I will let the group know what I experience.

[Sniper]

The only potential issue I can think of, and this will be very minor in this case, is any difference in weight, a heavier axle assembly will add more unsprung weight.

[oldodge41]

Possibly a slight change in ride height if the axle tubes are of a different diameter than the original.

[Booger]

Skilled work! I would think the Ranger would serve well because its (more) modern

Edited December 10, 2023 by Booger
spel

[andyd]

And if you are in Australia the 1989-1997 and onwards Oz EA-EL Ford Falcon Station wagon complete rear axle, disc to disc is a straight bolt in on the original Oz mopar rear springs.... I installed an EA/EB Falcon rear end and apart from having to drill two extra holes on the Ford spring pad to suit the Ford U bolts that was the only modification.....the Ford uses 3" wide springs so 2 of the U bolt holes on each side were spaced wider than the original Dodge springs....holes drilled & a perfect fit.............andyd  

Edited December 11, 2023 by andyd
more info.

[Adam H P15 D30]

Are the shock mounts welded upside down?

[Bob Riding]

47 minutes ago, Adam H P15 D30 said:

Are the shock mounts welded upside down?

I hope not! On the stock rear end, they are just under the axle. Based on the height of the shock bracket, I thought it might be too low. I ordered the correct shocks from AB, and estimated what the ride height might be with the weight of the body in place using the bucket on my tractor as a stand-in. 

[Adam H P15 D30]

May be at an extreme angle when the body is put back on and the suspension compresses 

[Bob Riding]

True. Might need to flip it underneath.

[Bob Ritter]

The other thing I like about the Ford rear end is that it has the same bolt pattern as the Plymouth, meaning you can use the Plymouth stock wheels...

 

[Bob Riding]

Yes, I chose it just for that reason as I have Plymouth dog-dish hubcaps I want to use.