[1970XL351W]

Hi,
I just bought a 1970 XL. Appears the rear is an odd ball. I don't know what it is but it's not a 9 inch. So how do I go about installing better gears in the car? I'd like either around 3.50 or 3.70 or something in the vacinity. The only replacement part I found so far is a Felpro gasket. I tore off the ID tag so part is missing but I can see "75" which I assume is "2.75" which is the ratio. I will remove the rest of the tag but it is raining.

 

[danv]

It's a WER rear end. You'd be better off getting a 9" and swapping gears.

My '70 had one of these with a 2.75 ratio, and I simply fitted a 3.25 9" from a '71 Galaxie.

 

[1970XL351W]

What is the best way to spot the rear best suited for the swap? Will it have the exact same fittings welded on for the 4 links and the springs? I was told the length difference on the drive shaft is usually covered by a different universal yoke which fits the new rear, rather than getting a new drive shaft made up.

 

[danv]

The '71 9 inch I used was a straight bolt in, using the same arms and locations. I'm almost absolutely sure that '69-'72 are all the same. I also used the same drive shaft from the '71. Make sure it's to suit the same trans though. I had to get mine shortened slightly.

 

[1970XL351W]

The '71 9 inch I used was a straight bolt in, using the same arms and locations. I'm almost absolutely sure that '69-'72 are all the same. I also used the same drive shaft from the '71. Make sure it's to suit the same trans though. I had to get mine shortened slightly.

Was it expensive to get the drive shaft shortened? How did you get the car there?

 

[ScottURnot]

Where you located, I have a 69 parts car that has a 9" under it. Should bolt right in. I am in Kansas

 

[danv]

You might not have to get the drive shaft altered if the engine and trans are the same.
Mine was something like $60 to shorten, weld and balance, but that was some years back, and that was here in Australia.

Just simply install the drive shaft into the rear of the trans, raise the back up to the diff, and check the length. Make a calculation on how much it needs to be altered, but make sure you have it a little shorter to allow for backward/forward movement.
Then take the drive shaft in to an engineering place who does these things.

 

[1970XL351W]

Where you located, I have a 69 parts car that has a 9" under it. Should bolt right in. I am in Kansas

I am north of Philadelphia. I have a pickup. I don't really want the bed all scratched up.

 

[1970XL351W]

You might not have to get the drive shaft altered if the engine and trans are the same.
Mine was something like $60 to shorten, weld and balance, but that was some years back, and that was here in Australia.

Just simply install the drive shaft into the rear of the trans, raise the back up to the diff, and check the length. Make a calculation on how much it needs to be altered, but make sure you have it a little shorter to allow for backward/forward movement.
Then take the drive shaft in to an engineering place who does these things.

That's great advise. Thanks.

 

[44WJS]

Where you located, I have a 69 parts car that has a 9" under it. Should bolt right in. I am in Kansas

Where in Kansas? My brother-in-law in Abilene had a Galaxie about that vintage the last I knew.

 

[ScottURnot]

I am in hutchinson, actually pretty close to Abilene, takes me a little over a hour to get there. Is he selling?

 

[1970XL351W]

It's a WER rear end. You'd be better off getting a 9" and swapping gears.

My '70 had one of these with a 2.75 ratio, and I simply fitted a 3.25 9" from a '71 Galaxie.

Does anyone know offhand the gear ratios that were available in the WER rear axles for these cars? My 2.75 is fine when the engine rev's up a little but it's a little mild off the line. I've heard other things about building torque but I'm really simply interested the the WER ratios right now.

 

[LTDKING]

Does anyone know offhand the gear ratios that were available in the WER rear axles for these cars? My 2.75 is fine when the engine rev's up a little but it's a little mild off the line. I've heard other things about building torque but I'm really simply interested the the WER ratios right now.

Check here Ford Rear Axle Assembly Identification - Page 06 - FORDification.com

"WER" built by Ford, 2:47 to 3:25 ratios, no lockers or aftermarket stuff available.
I just went thru this for my 72 LTD. Took me awhile to find a 60" wide 9" housing out of a Galaxie for direct replacement. I'm building a 3:25 locker for it.

 

[1970XL351W]

Check here Ford Rear Axle Assembly Identification - Page 06 - FORDification.com

"WER" built by Ford, 2:47 to 3:25 ratios, no lockers or aftermarket stuff available.
I just went thru this for my 72 LTD. Took me awhile to find a 60" wide 9" housing out of a Galaxie for direct replacement. I'm building a 3:25 locker for it.

Well, I am pretty sure a WER axle with 3.25 gears would be desirable to me, which I am calculating about an 18% increase in torque over the 2.75 gear ratio, so right now if I find one around Philadelphia I might just grab it even though it is not upgradable.

I am also doing what you are doing. I also have my rear axle which I bought like well over a year ago. It's a 1 pin locking posi with 2.75 gears but no brakes. So I am upgrading to disk immediately. But the entire upgrade is not cheap. This is what I have in it and how much more I anticipate spending:

$250 - Bought - 9" Rear axle posi with 2.75 gears
$410 - Bought - Summit 9" large bearing disk brake conversion
$500 - Wanted - 9" Posi center section with good gears / 3.73 maybe

But that is $1160 so far and there are going to be more costs. I will get something for my center section though. The 3.73 will take me up another 18% above the 2.75s, which will shave a lot of time off my 0-60 and 1/4 mile time.

 

[j3gibbon]

I talked to that seller aswell. It looks like you made a great buy. Good luck with the swap. I am pretty sure my 70 ltd also has the less than stellar WER and from everything I have read and heard you will be happy with some change to get the old girl moving off the line a bit faster.