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does any body have a step side luv with a narrowed ford 9 inch?? i was wondering how long you went and if you may have pics i have a guy that has one narrowed already to 54 inch, i think tha would work , but would like to have advice... and pics to copy ..lol lol

I think the one I had before was 51, so with the right backspace that should work if you are running the stock leafs in the stock location. Anyone...

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FIAA!

SFPP!

I have Bens old LUV and I added a step side to it. I can fit 10" tires without a problem, I will try to measure it tomorrow.

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In regards to using a narrowed 9" rear end? You can go as narrow as 50", BUT you will have to use wheels with a 3 1/2" backspace (BS) or less. (And almost all wheels use a 4 1/2-4 3/4" BS, (exept later models with a 5 1/2" BS).
However you can order chrome reversed 15" X 8" wheels directly from Summit and these have the required 3 1/2" BS. ($55.00-ea.)Their 15" X 7" chrome wheels have a 4 1/2" BS though.
On my 78 I use these chrome wheels with Baldy Hub caps, that way no one can tell I have six bolt wheels on the front and 5 bolt ones on the rear! 7" on front, 8" reversed on rear.

If you want a stronger rear end but don't expect to exceed 300 horsepower or so, you can use a Ford 302 V8 powered Maverick 8" rear end by simply changing the spring pads. These rear ends are 54" wide, the narrowest stock rear ends found from Ford, either 8 or 9 inch. I've used them for years and never had a failure with one of them, they can also be found with trac-lock. The one problem is that almost all of these 8" have 3:00 or 2:80 gear ratios, so this will have to be changed if you want more performance than gas mileage!

I will forward some pictures of a 50" wide rear end with the above 15 X 8' wheels to Ben, maybe he will post them or forward them to you since I can't?
Good luck, scjconv

The best way to establish rear end width is to get the wheels and tires you want to run. Say 12" wide wheels with 14" wide tires. set them under the truck with a min of 1" clearance to the springs, frame or what ever they may rub. Now measure the distance from between the hubs. that is the flange to flange width you will need.
It is easy to narrow the rear frames on these trucks, approx 4 to 9" with stock springs and it does not require any special jigs. It will align itself. I did a 72 Luv for a friend a couple of years ago. To see one done goto http://www.photobucket.com/V8Courier there is pictures there of a courier and the Luv can be done the same way.

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Wow! You make it sound so simple, kind of like, "Why didn't I think of that!" Great information, especially about how to use wider tires and wheels, as you know, traction is a major problem when you only have about 1200# on the rear axle.
If you want to go to much stronger rear end without a lot of expense, use the 8" Maverick V8 rear end I mentioned above, then find some later model Mustang wheels, the ones with a 5 1/2" backspace and you will end up with a stronger set up with the tires still under the wheel wells. A 54" rear end + 5 1/2" backspace= good looking, stronger rear end.

dp

Yeah, after having done it hundres of times it becomes second nature.

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The light at the end of the tunnel, may just be a train coming!