9 inch axle and wheel question

[skywalker]

Since in my current situation, I don't have access to all my research on the matter I figured I'll just throw this out:

I have a 9" axle out of an F100 and obviously this will need to be shortened for use in my '68 coupe, however, if I used wheels with the backspacing of a late model (read: the same as my 2001 GT) would this still be necessary?

Like I said, I don't have the specs here, so any help is appreciated.

 

[D.Hearne]

There's two different width rears for F100's. In about 73 i think, they widened them about 2-4 more inchs. The earlier narrow one might work with late wheels, but I can't confirm that for sure. The later one for sure won't work. The wheel bolt pattern is also larger for the F100 ( 5 X 5" vs 5 x 4.5")

 

[skywalker]

I have an earlier one with a 5x4.5 bolt pattern. The bolt pattern isn't a major concern cause then I just need new axle shafts which I'd need anyways with the axle tubes being shortened. I'm just wondering about the offset/backspacing.

 

[D.Hearne]

The only ones I recall having a 5 x 4.5 pattern were the early 80's F100's, so that would make it a wider post 72 rear.

 

[skywalker]

Mine is from the late '60s. Already matched my wheels to the bolt pattern. None the less irrelevant to my issue.

 

[96 DOHC Cobra]

Mine is from the late '60s. Already matched my wheels to the bolt pattern. None the less irrelevant to my issue.

There was absolutely no late 60s F100 that came from the factory with a 5 X 4.5" wheel bolt pattern. The rear you have may be from a late 60s Econoline van, though. Otherwise, most likely someone swapped it into the truck you got it from. That issue aside, it's too wide for your 68. Assuming it has the correct wheel bolt pattern, you might get away with it using late model wheels with big backspacing but then you'll have a problem up front. I guess you could solve the front problem with some big wheel spacers, but it might not look right. You'll still have a problem at the rear, though, if it isn't shortened. The truck rear's pinion is offset to one side and might hit your underbody. Just get it shortened. You'll be happier. Remeber to measure carefully.