Currently I have a 27 r/pickup with a small drum rear end. It looks to me as though I need to change to a large drum or a Ruckstel . I am in the hill country of Texas. Please pass on suggestions for this newbie.
You have the wrong rear end for a '27. Late 25 through 27 all Model T's had the large drum rear axles. In hill country you can not beat a Ruckstell rear axle.
Cary, welcome to the forum !! My father had a 26 Rdstr/P-up when purchased from the prior owner in 1964, that came equipped with small drum rear end and 30x3.5 wheels and tires at all 4 corners.
Later when we became aware that small drum rear ends and 30x3.5 wheels and tires were not appropriate for the 26-27 we procured the correct large drum standard rear end and correct 21" wheels and tires, but later changed to a large drum Ruxtell and added outside Rocky Mountain brakes.
In our neck of the woods, up in the Pacific Northwest, there are lots of hills so the Ruxtell helps going up the hills with a lower gear ratio option and the Rocky Mountains give a modicum of safety beyond the standard service brake should anything break in the driveline going down hills. In my opinion you would do well to try to procure a large drum Ruxtell for your p/up and add some Rocky Mountain or rear disc brakes for safety. Hope that helps- W
Any ideas on where to procure that LG Ruxtell?
Cary
Buy a kit directly from Chaffin's. Someone in your area probably has the large drum housings you would need for a core and the right side. Used ones are going outrageously high and are generally wore out. You end up spending more on the used one then what you could have bought the entire new kit for.
I am going looking for that core. I have one on my 10.
Thanks all.
Cary