Too Wide Rear End - what does it mean?

[Takt]

I've searched this site, and now know that my 66 mustang needs a rearend that is 57 1/4 wide (flange to flange). I have an opportunity to get a rearend that is 58 1/2 at a great price (free. So, my question is, what does it mean to have the 5/8" too wide on each side? Is it a look thing, is it a tire clearance issue? Other issues?

I appreciate the help! I know its tough and frustrating for you experienced guys to always answer rearend questions, so I tried to search before posting! With no luck.

Thanks

tim

 

[unluckyengineer]

not too sure about it but that sounds like it should just be different backspacing on the wheels. I am not totally sure on that though so don't quote me.

 

[stangman16]

backspacing might work for you in that situation. I have a '67 or so 'stang rear end in my '66 coupe, (measures 54 1/4" when the '66 is 52 1/4") and my tires scrape so badly, it's not even funny. I would've gone with different backspacing, but my rear end sticks out about 1/4" to the pass side more, so that tire gets cut worse. ahh, the symptoms of a previous dumb*$$ owner... gotta love all the mis-matched parts......

 

[12sec67]

this means you could upgrade to new 95+ mustang rims and not have to use a spacer in the back!

i put a 67 rearend in my cousins 66 so he could do the same thing, and run the newer rims.

 

[mustangdave]

Taxt, you are way off on your width. 65-66 require a 52 1/4" rear. If you buy the one measuring 58 1/2", it will be 6 1/4" too wide!!!! Your wheels will be sticking way out and your car will have to be jacked way up to keep from cutting the tires. You won't find wheels with enough backspacing to make it work.

 

[12sec67]

i think he measured to outside drum to drum and not inner flange to flange.

 

[mustangdave]

Oh, well shame on him then. May thr fleas of 1,000 camels infest his armpits. J/K Takt.

 

[D.Hearne]

Taxt, you are way off on your width. 65-66 require a 52 1/4" rear. If you buy the one measuring 58 1/2", it will be 6 1/4" too wide!!!! Your wheels will be sticking way out and your car will have to be jacked way up to keep from cutting the tires. You won't find wheels with enough backspacing to make it work.

The 65-66 housing itself measures 52-1/4". The axle to axle flange measurement is 56-1/4". The 67-70 rears are 2" overall wider than the 65-66's, so add 2" to each of the above measurements.

 

[HistoricMustang]

Here is a '65 with a '70 rear end set up. Not that big of a deal.

HistoricMustang
www.historicmustang.com

 

[Takt]

Taxt, you are way off on your width. 65-66 require a 52 1/4" rear. If you buy the one measuring 58 1/2", it will be 6 1/4" too wide!!!! Your wheels will be sticking way out and your car will have to be jacked way up to keep from cutting the tires. You won't find wheels with enough backspacing to make it work.

Yep, sorry, I've been reading about flange to flange, then you can add approx. 5" to get measurement x.... Anyway, I confused myself -- and it isn't hard to do at times

I also better get a better measurement about the new rear-end. I've visited kevinstang.com to read up about the measurements, then went to http://www.ridgenet.net/~biesiade/Fordrears.html
and found a matrix. I obviously need to make sure there isn't a 6" difference in the rearends. Thanks all for the help!

As for camel fleas, man I got enough problems....

tim