Just bought a flat bed bedford....what diff do they run???

[damo702002]

Hi guys...I,m in Tassie and just bought myself my first Bedford as a flat bed rig all setup for race car transport.....Now its a 202 with a supra 5speed behind it but even in top gear at 100 kph its revving its little ass off....got an auto engineer mate that's happy to re gear it for me as long as I can find out what diff they run factory??
Any help would be greatly appreciated in sorting my dramas.
Thanks for the space to ask....Cheers

[Bas / NZ]

Dual or single rear axle... (wheel)

[damo702002]

Sorry should have stated it dual rear wheels mate.....any help would great.

[Bas / NZ]

Guess you are in OZ, so the guys there would know the in's and outs of a new center, in NZ this costs to much for the dual diff, but single no probs. the dual axle runs around about a 5.1 ratio and single does vary but is around 4.1, most people replace the center with a Holden or Falcon ( well here anyway) around the 3.5 ratio give or take, depends on the end result required.

I know for fact that with a single wheel axle (standard Bedford ) you can get away with the 4.1 ratio with a 5 speed our Auto with overdrive, but this is not the case with the dual 5.1 ratio, it will rev to much, as it is to low, will give you good take off, but no top end.


Guess you have to replace the diff with a High ratio single or a Single 4.1 ratio Bedford, or find a dual wheel that has been changed ( from the 80's ) the only problem with changing the diff is the width of most other diffs as Bedfords are wide, but as I said someone on your side would have a better idea as to what you can get there, and ofcourse you will have to take into account what weight you want to load on her.

( Ok sorry, just seen your in Tassie )

Just remembered, I meet a guy here once with a dual wheel Bedford, he told me the ( ford galaxy ) centers fit the Bedford housing straight swap and the Bedford axles slot straight in, think I have it right but don't quote me on it.

[damo702002]

Well I was hopeful that the diff gears were interchangeable with something else like falcon or holden salsibury type but guess I was waaaaay wrong..ha ha
guess I better check what ratio I,ve got tomorrow and then try finding out if I can get something like a 3.5 to suit.
When I looked at it I thought it may have been a small dana 44 diff.......anyone know what they are actually called by chance?

[rumax]

If you can, add a photo and any details of markings etc. also, if there is a "tab" on a diff housing bolt, this gives the ratio (assuming it's still there). 

[Bas / NZ]

Yes as rumax said, add a photo, this way should be able to let you know if is a standard Dual Bedford diff, The Toyota Dyna  or other truck dual wheel diff may have a different ratio, but have owned a couple of these and can tell you top end is not good.

[ethyl]

I am changing to a F100 diff, almost the same width, LSD and 3.55 ratio
also disc brakes on back

[damo702002]

Sorry for late reply guys.....as for a pic I,m useless on computers so have no idea how to do that sorry.....but jacked it up today and marked shaft and wheel and says around 2.75 but man it don't feel like it when driving!!!!!.....to be honest I,m stumped...thought be the factory dual wheel diff it would be easy to sort,,,,lol

[rumax]

did you forget to multiply by 2. That would give you a 5.4:1... there were 2 diffs about 5.2:1 (or 2.6 turns), according to Mr Haynes, so would guess that's what you have. As for options, have a look in the diff section for inspiration.