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Before Side View

Before Front View

1951 Willys Pickup

Rear Axle

The original Timken rear axle is so old and obscure that replacement parts are not available anymore.  For the cost and power that I had in mind, a Dana 44 or a Ford 9" seemed to fit the bill.  I wanted a limited slip differential with good street manners, since this would be a vehicle used mostly on the street.  A Ford 9 inch was chosen.

It is possible to find a used 9 inch axle housing that is close to the correct width, then rebuild it.  But I chose a new unit from Currie Enterprises.

The details of the axle are:

• Hot Rod axle housing.  This has a rounded rear cover that looks better.
• Torino style late model big bearing ends.
• Ford Explorer disc brakes.  These are 11" diameter solid discs with an internal drum brake used for the emergency brake.
• 31 spline Currie Performance axle shafts.
• Spring pads that are 1.75" wide on the original center to center distance of the original Willys axle.  These are set so the pinion has a slight 4 degree up-angle to match the angle of the transfer case.
• Overall width of the axle from wheel mounting surface to wheel mounting surface that is the original Willys axle width of 63.5".
• The differential has a 31 spline axle output True Trac limited slip and 4.11 gears.
• The wheel bolt pattern is 5 on 5.5" diameter.
• Yoke for a 28 spline shaft and a 1310 universal joint.

Springs, shackles and shocks are discussed on the Drivetrain Mounting page.