A couple of years ago I picked up a Versailles rear end to put under my Mav. Now the time is finally approaching to install it. It has come to my attention, however, that I am missing a few small bits and pices, and was wondering if anyone knew of a good source of parts for these things? Specifically I need some of the "T" studs that hold the axle in. They are unique to this rear end. A site I came across on Versailles rear ends listed the number EIS D7114 in connection with these studs. This may or may not be the Ford part number for them. I also need the metal gasket that goes behind the axle retainer. Finally, some dust shields would be nice. Taking a look at this from a different direction: since buying this rear end, a number of people have pointed out problems with using them, such as cost and availability of parts, weight of the rotors and calipers, etc. I have come across a number of articles that have referred to (in limited detail) using non-Versailles rotors and calipers on these rear ends, such as Lincoln Mark II (or was it Mark III?) parts, or Ford Explorer parts. None of these articles ever contained enough info to allow me to look into these swaps to explore their feasibility. This leads to question #2; Has anyone out there had any experience with these, or other swaps allowing the use of non-Versailles rotors and calipers on a Versailles differential? Any help you can offer would be appreciated. Thanks. John B.
Any "big" bearing 9" disc brake setup should work!! I chose the Aerospace Components disc brake setup due to it being lightweight and having 4-piston calipers but there are lots of companies that make disc brake setups for that rearend!! Here are a few that come to mind...... Wilwood, Stainless Brakes, Mark Williams etc......
Versailles Rearend Hey buddy go and ask Mustang Steve on his message board. To find his web site type mustang steve at a search engine. Yahoo search will take you to him. He is very smart about Fords and so is many of the dudes on his message boards. You can ask them anything and they qill tell ya what ya need to know fast. They are very nice and there is no such thing as a dumb question. Well maybe ..hahhahaha
Hi John, long time no see. I'll ask my father about those parts... After 40 years as a Ford parts manager, his memory for numbers is better than the book itself. If we can get a number it will make procurement easier. Are you planning to stick with the double cardan U joint and shorten the Versailles drive shaft or do you plan to change over to the Maverick style? Just wondering. Sam
Hi SAm, Thanks for the response and kind offer, as usual. Actually that post resurfaced after nearly 2 years (originally put up in Aug. 2003!). Since then I took the Versailles to a trusted friend who tore it down, installed new bearings, a rebuilt Trac-Loc, 3:25 gear set, Currie Enterprises conversion kit to replace the stock Versailles calipers with 2001 Mustang Cobra calipers, and replaced the missing Tbolts (also changed the u joints over to Mav style). Can't wait to get it installed and rolling! Will send you a PM in a day or two. Later Sam!
