1940-48 Rear Axle

[1937hd45]

Are all 1940-48 rear axles the same? Just got one with a a short pinion shaft that has a coupler to the driveshaft. Is this a pickup truck item? Is this the one that will convert to an open driveshaft?

[Guest]

No No No , 37, 45, There was one closed tube rear end used from '37 to '41, another wider version used from '42-'48 in cars, the '42 to '47 Pickup trucks did have an open drive arrangement, in which you could use all of the available flathead Ford gear ratios in the ring and pinion, namely 3:54, 3:78, 4:11, and 4:44. The gears were interchangeable, the housings and springs were not, and you had to adapt the rear springs if you used them in a passenger car, hope that helps, since you wont use a name, I won't either-

[1937hd45]

Thank you for the info! What is the differance in overall width on the 40 vs 41-48? Did the pickups use the same rear mounted gas tanks? I've used 1937hd45 for all my online dealings, so far I've found almost all the pieces to build the 1937 Harley

[Guest]

I believe there is a 2 1/2 inch difference in the width overall, but my memory is faulty, so check for sure--