Bringing Up the Rear

 

When building a hot rod, many of us like to have something a little different bringing up the rear. The standard 8 or 9 inch Ford rear end is the least expensive ( unless buying a new one from Currie) and easiest to install. I have used them for years and still have a good supply of 57-59 SW rear ends. In the 70’s, the Jaguar rear axle was the hot ticket and were used under many different styles of hot rods. I remember Lewis Young in Atalanta, had a beautiful 29 black hiboy roadster with a full chrome Jag in the rear. After seeing his roadster, I immediately went out and bought a Jag for my 34 sedan. They were inexpensive and relatively easy to locate. I used to buy them for a $100 bucks or so and then spend a fortune having everything plated. I still think they are really exciting looking going down the road. Winters also built some aluminum 9″ center sections that found their way under many hot rods. They were a little large for some cars but they had the race car look which I like. Quickchanges were not as popular as they are now for street roadsters and coupes. The cost and noise factor kept them in race cars not street drivers. Halibrand was the rear end of choice in the early days and with their demise, Winters took over the market with an excellent product and quality service. Currie jumped on board with a huge inventory of 8 and 9 inch rear axles and soon developed an aluminum center section for the 9″ gear set.

The Industry soon began producing their own independent rear axles with companies like Heidts and Kugel building a totally new system for the hot rods and muscle cars. The roadster shop has developed a unit that can handle the high horsepower being used in some of these cars equipped with some healthy engines. The rear end  choices depend on your preference and wallet and to some extent the theme of your hot rod. I personally like the quick change and 9″ for my cars but you may prefer the one of the independent styles for yours.

Building a hot rod has always been a passion of mine and if you have not had the experience, you may want to try it. Expect excitement, anxiety and delays during your build, but most of all enjoy the process.

Stay Tooned!

Lynn

 

Bob has a lot of money invested in his Jag rear end as he had custom uprights built and Wildwood calipers added.

Here is the finished product and it rides like a dream. The QC cover is just for looks.

Since I am old and cheap I use the 57-9 Ford SW 9″ and spend all day cleaning it up. These are getting harder to find.

Here is that same rear end with the P&J brackets tacked in place on my new frame jig. Simple but effective.

Here is the standard of the industry — a 9″ with coil overs.

Winters offers the aluminum center section with various rear end coatings and designs. Currie offers a similar unit which works nice.

Here is the Currie unit under Curvy. A little large but under a fat girl they look awesome.

Here is another standard for the early looking hot rod. The Model-A rear spring and QC.

Walt has a V8 Halibrand model 201 under his Deuce and to me, has the correct look for and early roadster

The Champ with 40 Ford bells is what looks the best under a model 40. I feel they are a little large for the Deuce and Model-A but many people use them for the 10″ ring gear and ability to handle high HP engines and torque.

You don’t see these every day but several of my friends have installed the Banjo rear axles under their hot rods. I think Banjo rear axles need buggy springs to look right but I am old you know.

I recently had the opportunity to work on a new build and this was the customer’s choice for his sedan — a 1940 Banjo with a buggy spring. New ASC rails were being used.

If you want the latest wiggly under you hot rod with big H.P., then the Roadster Shop has the system for you. Bring it on!

 Friday’s Rear End

I am a slow learner when it comes to Quickchanges. I just think they make a roadster a roadster.

Friday’s Dream 40

If I were at the Detroit Autorama this weekend I would go look at this one. I think Pepe would love this garage mate.

Looks like the Detroit river to me. Briz bumpers are cool on 40’s. Never any rust!

This would be the selling feature for me….a 291 Hemi hooked to the stock driveline. One hard pass and you could replace the entire driveline.