Thread: 55 Gasser

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Thanks! Scooter, the front axle is from a 65 Chevy van. The front crossmember where the shackles are mounted and the rear spring mounts were welded into place when I got the project. I am not sure what the springs came out of, but I had to remove a few leafs to get any action at all from them. I used a Chrysler manual rack and pinion rear steer unit mounted on the rear of the axle. Welded mount pads on the axle. The steering shaft is Borgeson with the movement of the axle - up and down - taken up by the slip shaft. I spent a lot of time to get the inner steering shaft polished to move freely inside the hollow outer shaft. The disc brakes are from Speedway Motors and really turned into a PITA to get them mounted. If I were to do it again, I would just buy the entire straight front axle from Speedway. They come with springs, mounts, and perches to be welded when the axle caster is set up. Also, disc brakes will work out of the box with their spindles. Jim Meyer racing products sells kits for the tri-fives. You can get a straight axle weld on, or a complete frame. He's up in your part of the country. I bet he could fab a unit for you even if you are not doing a tri-five chevy. I really do like the way the rack and pinion works. Very smooth. Also, I leaned the axle back for more caster, and it runs true at speed. I am using Chris Alston Chassis Works double adjustable shocks. They mount into the stock location at the top, and into tabs welded onto the axle below. I used heim joints with short chain on each axle side to limit the axle drop.