1959 Dodge Coronet

[rshuster55]

I have a 59 Dodge Coronet. I need to know what later model axles will fit, or what complete rearend will interchange. Mine has 2 piece tapered axles that I want to get away from and get different one piece axles that has normal drums

 

[bluefury361]

I have a 59 Dodge Coronet. I need to know what later model axles will fit, or what complete rearend will interchange. Mine has 2 piece tapered axles that I want to get away from and get different one piece axles that has normal drums

I swapped a complete rear axle from a 1968 Chrysler Newport into my 1961 Plymouth Fury, mainly for the same reason. It was a direct bolt in swap. It was 5/8th of an inch wider than the Plymouth axle. (split that in half). Gear ratio was the same.
most C body axles will fit. Do some measuring. Up to 7/8" difference should work OK.

 

[57fury440]

If you do a search online a chart with all the widths will show up. I changed the axle on my "57 Plymouth back in the late sixties. Back then I used a "B" body axle which is narrower, and I moved the perches to fit. This gave me more room for wider tires. About 15 years ago I put a complete "E" body axle from a Barracuda on a "58 Plymouth and it was a direct fit. I don't know the width of your existing rear, but I think certain year "C" body axles work. It is so much easier to work with the newer axles compared to the old tapered design.

 

[1970FuryConv]

According to my reading, 1965 - 1969 c-body rear axles are the same width (width possible exception of station wagon). If the c-body axles from this period are bolt in and only 5/16" wider each side, you should be able to find an 8 3/4 that will work.

Note: later c-body rear axles are wider.

 

[69PHOENIX]

G'Day Fellas,
"According to my reading, 1965 - 1969 c-body rear axles are the same width' (1970FuryConv) Please Note: No Criticism Intended Here!

Every time I Read Something Like This I Become More ConFused.
Here in the Mystical Land of OZ Our 65 - 72 Phoenix's were Plymouth Fury's
Which May Account for the Difference, But, Here in OZ our 65-66 Diffs were Approximately 60.5 Inch Wheel Track.
Our 67-68 were Approximately 62 Inch Wheel Track & Our 69-72 were Approximately 63.5 Inch Wheel Track.

We Retro-Fit the Previous Models Diffs in the Phoenix's to Allow for Wider Rims & Tyres.
Now If I am an Expert in Anything at All, I am an Expert in Confusion LOL
So All I'm Saying is to Check your Details Carefully. (Measure & Measure Again)

At one Stage I Did Something Similar to the Gentleman Above & Fitted a 66 Dodge Charger Diff to my 59 Custom Royal
by moving the Spring Perches.
Much Easier to Work With the Later Brake Setup.

Strange Story attached to this: I saw a Fella at a Swap Meet Many Years Ago.
He had a Cardboard Sign Up Reading "Free to a Good Home Dodge LSD Diff"
As there were Basically NO LSD's in Aust. Phoenix's Everyone ignored him.
Being a Self Professed Expert (B.S.A.) I eventually told him so.
And He Replied that it had been taken out of a Friends American Car Many Years Previously.
A Ford 9" Replaced it and the Car was eventually sold.
He Said He was Sick & Tied of having to Move it Every Time He Mowed the Lawn
as it would only Roll in a Straight Line.
A Number of Years Later I came across a 66 Charger with a 9" Ford Diff
and Considering how Many 66 Chargers there were in Aust at that Time I Figured that had to be the One.
On Dismantling the Centre of the LSD I Found one of the Crown Wheel Caps / Retainers Broken in Half
(May Not be the Correct Term, I Don't Know What You Fellas Call Them)
Never Seen This Before, Never Seen It Since.
But Boy I'd Like to Know What he was Doing to Snap One of Them ?
Regards Tony.M

 

[1970FuryConv]

G'Day Fellas,
"According to my reading, 1965 - 1969 c-body rear axles are the same width' (1970FuryConv) Please Note: No Criticism Intended Here!

Every time I Read Something Like This I Become More ConFused.
Here in the Mystical Land of OZ Our 65 - 72 Phoenix's were Plymouth Fury's
Which May Account for the Difference, But, Here in OZ our 65-66 Diffs were Approximately 60.5 Inch Wheel Track.
Our 67-68 were Approximately 62 Inch Wheel Track & Our 69-72 were Approximately 63.5 Inch Wheel Track.

Regards Tony.M

Hi Tony
US 65-69 rear axles are same (not sure about station wagon), per my research.
Wheel track Front/rear: 62.1” / 60.7”
Dealer sales brochures.
1968 Fury
1968 Plymouth Fury Brochure
1966 Fury
1966 Plymouth Fury Brochure
1969 Dodge Polara
1969 Dodge Polara Brochure
They are all 62.1" front /60.7" rear
1970-1971 62.0 inch rear wheel track in Fury. Dodge was wider.
Variation could be Aussie standard equip vs. US.
Were station wagon rears 62" starting 1967. Did Aussie cars get station wagon rears? Don't know. Ben

 

[69PHOENIX]

G'Day Ben,
Thanks for the Information.
I Have a Pair of 10" x 15' Rims for My 69 Sedan. (8" x 15" Fronts)
So I am Sneaking a 68 Diff, being a Little Narrower, Under the Rear.
From what I have Seen All the Perches are Spaced the Same 65-72 over Here.
So Not a Complicated Job.

Seeing the Cars were basically Delivered C.K.D.s
I'm Somewhat Amused at the Differences.
Not the First Time I've come Unstuck.
Many Years Ago I Sold a Short 400 RB to a Workshop
(We Did a Little Importing Then)
After Building & Fitting they complained of a Really Terrible
Bearing Rumble in the Motor.!!!!
It was a Factory Built Short, Back from When Chrysler was having
Difficult Times & Sold Out a Lot of Stock Cheap.
Cut a Long Story Short the American Blocks have an "Ear"
on the Passenger Side (Drivers over Here)
And When Fitted to the Car It Rubs on the Aussie RHD Steering Box.
Thirty Minutes with a Hack Saw Solved the Problem.
Chrysler Aust. Must have done the Same with All the 383s When They Arrived.
Anyway, Another Completely Useless Tad of Information from the
Mystical Land of OZ.
Thanks & All the Best, Tony.M

 

[1970FuryConv]

G'Day Ben,
Thanks for the Information.
I Have a Pair of 10" x 15' Rims for My 69 Sedan. (8" x 15" Fronts)
So I am Sneaking a 68 Diff, being a Little Narrower, Under the Rear.
From what I have Seen All the Perches are Spaced the Same 65-72 over Here.
So Not a Complicated Job.

Cool idea to add the narrow axle to accommodate 15x10 rims.
C-body spring perches are the same 1965-1978 here, although I have never used 74-78 axle on earlier cars.