Crown vic swap question

[BrockGrimes]

I plan on running the same wheels front and back on my '69 but with maybe wider tires in the rear.
With the crown vic front what is my best option for a rear axle to maintain the same width as the front?
Stock, 9" from a 73+, 80-83 f100, or a 90's crown vic?

[Twisted_Steel]

I'll be watching this thread. I'm planning the same swap soon

[Bowman-428]

Me too, I should finish my CV front mock up today then it comes back off for paint. I would like to keep my 9'' as I already have the DJM lowering kit for it, but want disc brakes with the 4.5 lug pattern . thinking of using the PowerTrax unit to get posi.

[fordman]

I wad thinking about matching tire patterns the other day. So i was considering the crown vic rear end too.

[HIO Silver]

I plan on running the same wheels front and back on my '69 but with maybe wider tires in the rear.
With the crown vic front what is my best option for a rear axle to maintain the same width as the front?
Stock, 9" from a 73+, 80-83 f100, or a 90's crown vic?

An 80-83 F100 is the best bet to get the same lug pattern. It does require however moving the leaf spring pads. It doesn't really matter the difference in width so long as it is in the ballpark because it's the wheel backspacing that has to be figured out to posiition the tire without rubbing.

Similarly an MN-12is of compatible width but a ton more fabrication is required to mount the IRS.

[Cheaplabor]

Stock rear end with 2" spacers will convert from 5 on 5.5 to 5 on 4.5 to match the Vic bolt pattern, and is same width as early 80's rear end, perfect for mustang wheels.

[AZf100]

[Bowman-428]

I'll add to the question , does anyone have pics. or suggestions on making and mounting the brackets for the lower control arm ? I cant find a good pic of them mounted to the frame.
Thanks, Jeff

[elgemcdlf]

I'll add to the question , does anyone have pics. or suggestions on making and mounting the brackets for the lower control arm ? I cant find a good pic of them mounted to the frame.
Thanks, Jeff

Jeff just cut a plate that matches the mount. With the suspension loaded cut gussets and weld it all together. The front is approximately 3/4" below the frame. The rear touches the frame.

[Bowman-428]

Cool , thanks elgemcdlf, after a few more hours of surfing I did manage to find a few pics and discussions on these brackets . It seems like folks are doin it a couple different ways . Some are mounting it flat on the frame, others at the 35 degree angle . I am assuming you waited to mount the sway bar until the suspension was loaded also ? I'm doing a complete frame off so right now I have a totally stripped frame ( pics at project forum under '' 69 SWB Project'' )
Didn't mean to hijack this thread , hope this helps everyone ! I have about a million more questions but one thing at a time.

[elgemcdlf]

The antisway bar can be mounted without loading the suspension. Link pins perpendicular to the ground. The suspension traveling up and down won't change that.

[BrockGrimes]

Well my plan is to run these front and rear:



Spec's:
Wheel Diameter:20 in.
Wheel Width (in):9.000 in.
Backspacing (in):6.770 in.
Offset:+45.00mm

So the offset is the same for all the wheels, hence the need to sort out which rear axle to run to get the same width as the front.
With the crown vic front what is my best option for a rear axle to maintain the same width as the front?
Stock, 9" from a 73+, 80-83 f100, or a 90's crown vic?

[48prerunner]

I'm running the 9" out of a 80 f-100. It gives you the 4.5 pattern. I'm also running stock 2008 mustang california special wheels. The difference in track width was less than 1/8" Im running bigger rubber in the back 255 55 18 . I bought my u bolts and axle perches from a 4 x4 dealer on ebay. the 80 9" is 3.25 diameter same as an 8.8 on exploders. I also put the rear disc brakes from an explorer on it. have pics in my build.

[Bowman-428]

I'm goin with the '95 and up Explorer 8.8, 31 spline, 3.73, Traction-loc and disc brakes.. JY says $200 . Economically seems the best bang for my buck !!