What can I do with this front axle?

This rod was not built by me but I'm now the owner and sorta puzzled about what to do with it. Sure there's ways to completely rip it down but I have a bugdet to put into it and would like to use what I have. The whole problem seems to be the ugly 2x4 tube steel covering up the grill and the way the air bags are mounted. So here's some pic and I hope you people can give me some ideas what to do. I thought about cutting it off right where it levels out in front of the grill and installing a cross member under the grill but still need shock mounts.

Do you have an idea in mind of what you want it to look like? Is there a goal?

From what I can see in these pictures, not really sure there is much there worth saving!!!! Radius rods look like square tubing with a nut welded on the end??? Saving money and a budget is understandable, we all work under the same constraints---but safety has to be the most important criteria....

Maybe a pic or two of the entire front suspension system would help....

Yep the rods also have to go, your right not that safe. Here's a few more pics. I hope this helps.

Nothing looks right on the front end, hard to say what to do and use what you have...

The front crossmember could be redone or replaced, with some angle cuts on the end, but it also appears that that would interfere with the movement on the radius rod mounts....

I don't see a panhard bar on the front, unless that's what that angled piece going back is supposed to be

Hard to tell from these pics, but it would appear that either the frame is too wide or the axle too narrow. The entire thing is just a really poor design, not sure there is much salvageable other then the axle itself......

My goal is to either move or get rid of the air bags and also the 2x4 tube has to go.

Is that some old wrench in the steering linkage? I don't want this to come across totally negative but, looks like someone "built" a rat rod! And now you want to, or should I say need to, re-engineer it. I'll ask again, do you have an idea of which style of axle/spring/suspension you'd like? Your going to probably need to cut away most of what's there and redo it all. Did you know what you were getting into?

Step back, take a deep breath and form a plan, decide what you want the front to look like and we'll help you all we can! Some great minds here and they can steer you in the right direction.

Id cut off the whole front end and start over with real suspension components. None of those home made radius rods, tie rods and drag link. Weld in a round tubing in front and go with a suicide type axle. Fab up some brackets for the axle you have for a transverse spring with wishbone or haipin radius rods. You could either go with a spring over or spring behind set up. You also need to fab up some shock brackets.

I just don't understand why some guys try to reengineer everthing on a front end. The basic are tried and true and safe.

Sweet jesus, some people should not be allowed to build cars !!! Just about every physics & geometry law has been broken there !!! Sorry to be negative but it all needs to be put right, at least it can be srted.

Radius rod n panhard bar are all going to threaded round stock. I want to use the same axle, probably get rid of the bags (ugly) and do something with the 2x4 in front while running coil overs. Yes it is a mess n I want to improve it n make it safe. Getting alot of great ideas here and I knew this was the place to get em.

That front suspension is a disaster waiting to happen. Why not show us the rest of the car you are working with. We may come across as negative, but in the end, we will work with you to build a safe car. While we may not particularly like the rendition, it will still be one that can be driven anywhere or any time. As far as budget constraints .... that's another problem, but whatever it is now, pretty good chance you will fail and exceed it by some percentage:o:CRY: (mine was probably 50++% more then my calculated budget - and still climbing and it's a 'finished' car:LOL:)

Attachment 52151Attachment 52152Attachment 52150Here it is,,,,,1937 Chevy truck. Has huge tires on the back but since then came off. 427 big block just rebuilt, body is in good shape and frame was built by a guy who owns a welding shop. As far as the rest of the frame. Really nice job in the rear but here again used square tubbing. And I did know what I was getting into but not this deep,,,,,but we'll get done.

The dude might own a welding shop, but that sure doesn't mean he's a frame builder or, he may have just built it that way as an "in your face" type deal wanting people to talk about it.... Whatever his reasoning, the truck would sure have a lot better handling and ride plus be a whole lot safer with a properly done front end under it. I would also be a bit suspicious of the heim joints, if he used square tubing for radius rods he could also have used "economy", aka cheap and break easy heim ends... The truck itself is a keeper, looks like you'll just need to tidy up the suspension to make it a fun and safe cruiser!!!!!

[QUOTE=dmw56;445516]Id cut off the whole front end and start over with real suspension components. None of those home made radius rods, tie rods and drag link. Weld in a round tubing in front and go with a suicide type axle. Fab up some brackets for the axle you have for a transverse spring with wishbone or haipin radius rods. You could either go with a spring over or spring behind set up. You also need to fab up some shock brackets.

Good advice here, probably cost effective to boot, and use the wheels, backing plates and brakes.

Speedway motors for parts.

I believe after all the sugestions I;m thinking about going with either the transverse spring and add a 2" tube with shocks or adding the 2" round tube and going with coil overs. I believe either way the bags will go. The only problem I see that I might have is the axle is for paralell springs. On the pic that shows the whole front of the truck you can see the mounts on the axle. So that's my idea but not quite sure how to go about it.

Might want to take a look at Speedway Motors, they have a good selection of suspension pieces. If you have questions about a specific item I've always found their tech people to be more then helpful rather then just try to shove a bunch of mismatched parts at you! Their site also has some good tips and suggestions and the product descriptions are accurate. Even if you buy your parts elsewhere, there online catalog has a lot of good information rather then just a picture and a price. Once you see something you like, probably some on here that either has or had a similar setup and can answer a lot of the "how to" questions....

OK - and for what it's worth. Absolutely, Speedway is a good place to look for parts and you might find exactly what you are looking for there. Get the paper catalog and supplement it with their internet iformation.

First of all, I like the basic look of that pick up - I would never fit in it as being too tall:eek:

I would start by disassembling everything from the firewall forward, then do some measuring to compare what you have to a thirties Ford (Chevies of that era just do not have the aftermarket support). Once I had my measurements and had put them to paper. I then would consider further disassembly to include pulling the cab itself. I would then consider either a Model A or '32 front cross member and reconstruct the entire front of the chassis using 1-1/2 or 2x4 rectangular tubing tied into that original frame. You can then use literally dozens of different front axle assemblies with that arrangement plus you can even 'Z' the front of the frame if you want it real low. Pulling the cab off will also give you an idea of any other screw ups and make it much easier to correct.

Unfortunately, this will not be easy, wont be cheap, it will make a much safer car and look like the design flows. You should consider front disc brakes as well. You do need to make sure that you either have the correct mods or drums for those '35 Ford wheels - those wheels WILL crack at the lug holes.

You have a lot of the basis for a very nice vehicle - it just needs some TLC (read that as attitude, time and money):D