Eric, where are you located? It helps to put city and state in your tag line. I have a couple spare pumpkins for the 56 Ford stock rear end. I can check the gear ratios if you like and would be willing to sell at least one. Shipping may be a problem depending on where you live.

Y's guys rule!
Looking for McCullouch VS57 brackets and parts. Also looking for 28 Chrysler series 72 parts. And early Hemi parts.

MoonShadow, 292 w/McCulloch, 28 Chrysler Roadster, 354 Hemi)
Manchester, New Hampshire

The Ranger and Explorer differentials are 8.8", not 8".  They are completely different, the 8" is a removable chunk like the Ford 9", but the 8.8" has a rear cover, and the gears must be set up in the housing.   Joe-JDC


JDC

The easiest option would be to find a good diff from a mid 50s Ford that had an automatic in front of it. Those are around 3.30:1 and bolt in. A good modern diff would be the 8" from a Ranger or Exploder however the pumpkin is offset to the left so you'd need to get another right hand axle & tube to center it. Those come in a variety of ratios and custom ring & pinion sets are available if none of the stock ratios suit your needs.

I have a 1956 ford fairlane differential with 3.90 ratio. Would like to go to 2.90 or 3.0  What would be the easiest option? Is there something else i can bolt right up to same housing? It has 17 spline axle shafts. Thanks