The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline A couple questions on the full float 1ton rear axle.

I have a couple questions on the rear axle in my '55 3800.

First off, what name does everybody call it? 10 bolt, 12 bolt, 14 bolt, Ford 9", Dana xx?

Second, how much abuse can this axle take before stuff starts to break? Not saying that I want to break, just curious. Is it as strong as a 14 bolt from mid 80's K series trucks?

I'm an offroader, so these are just things I like to know.

It's got the same ring and pinion and differential as the 3/4 tons, just with slightly heavier-duty hub bearings, bigger brake drums, and dual wheels. The gearset was used for years as the final drive for our 1/4 mile dirt track race cars behind 500+ HP small block Chevy engines, and usually taking the output of a Muncie 4-speed locked in 2nd. gear to get the final drive ratio right. They were virtually bulletproof in those applications, even with the spider gears welded solid to get a locked rear end. Full-throttle acceleration down the straightaway, then chop the throttle going into the turns, twice each lap- - - -dozens of laps at a time. The rear end usually goes by the description of "Eaton HO-52".

Any rear end that can stand that kind of treatment, season after season, will last about 3 days past forever on the street, and at least a few minutes when rock crawling!
Jerry

The numbers are the number of bolts in the back cover and is an easy way of identifying rear ends. A Ford 9" came in Ford passenger cars from 57 on up and is a tough tear with lots of ratios available. The only way you can hurt the old full floating axle is to run it without oil.

My 12 bolt still works fine after 14 years of rolling burnouts, donuts and 180's at stop lights. Rebuilt my eaton about 3 months ago. Only the clutches crap out and they're only $120 to replace if you do it your self. Stock rear and drive shaft behind a 741hp small block. It doesn't grind or whine or lurch around corners. It just reverts to a one tire fryer every other year. 4.10 and posi = smiles by the 1/4 mile

Thanks very much! It sounds like it is pretty strong. I don't plan on rock crawling with it or welding the spiders, so it will will be fine from the sounds of it.