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I have here a before and after pic. I'm wondering if coil over shocks will support the front axle. I removed the ugly 2x4 and air bags and the air bags actually supported the axle. Now if I leave it down off the jack stands the axle will go way up til the chassis sets on the floor. Will coil overs work to correct that?
Sure. There's a guy on here who has a coupe with a coil over front.... If my memory was any good I'd tell you who it was!!!! He's working out of the country now, Italy I think. Hopefully someone with a functional memory will help you out with a name!!!!!:o:o:LOL:
Henry Rifle has a coil over's on the front of his '34, and yup, he's in Italy
Ok, his name is Henry Rifle---do a search and you'll see his yellow coupe with the coil over front suspension!!!!
(Sorry, we were typing at the same time....:o)Quote:
Originally Posted by Dave Severson
Dave,
Are you thinking of Jack? His UserName is HenryRifle? Can't recall if he used coilovers or not - thought he had a traditional leaf spring, dropped I-beam like mine?
I'd like to run a spring with gas shocks but the mounts on the axle are covered some by the bat wings and i'd hate to think of cutting em off.
you should cut that front end off at the firewall
Here's a link to Jack's post showing his '34's front end:
http://www.clubhotrod.com/hot-rod-ta...ut-garage.html
My plans as of now are to weld in a 2 inch pipe 1/4 inch thick in front of the grill. But that could change if I figure what to do about installing a spring.
X 2 on this comment.Quote:
Originally Posted by jerry clayton
Don't want to cut it off at the firewall $$$$$$ so I'm going to make this work. Is there a way to mount a transverse spring to a paralell spring mount on the axle cause that's what I have. From searching I'm sure the front axle is from a 1940-41 Ford 3/4 ton truck.
I don't see that you need that front kick-up on the frame if you're looking at changing the suspension. I'd think about another cut, and if it were me I'd be looking at Pete & Jake's for a lighter duty axle that doesn't have all that stuff welded on it. You can probably make that one work, but it just doesn't work for my eye.
Pay attention now cause I'm only going to say this once more----cut it off at the firewall---add some new stuff going forward without THAT kickup you have now---Save your spindles, brakes,wheels--get a dropped axle from one of the places that have them( the biggest problem you have is THAT AXLE you have IS a truck axle and is totally wrong( well ONE thing is ok and that is the tread width) You need to have drop in the axle to have the car low---then you can add a cross spring and radius rods ---------
Ok here's what i got. I'm looking at a axle kit from Speedway http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Front-...Axle,7768.html
But I believe I have to id mine to make sure my king pins, spindles etc will fit. My axle is actually 50 inch and this one at sPEEDWAY IS 48. wILL 2 INCHES MATTER?
1" per side can be regained by spacers if needed. or different back spacing on wheels
Ask your wife. :LOL:Quote:
Originally Posted by Bearcamp
Sorry, I couldn't help myself. You walked right into it.
Good one,,,,,,,,I like it.
The link doesn't seem to work.
As for the 2" difference, try turning your steering to full lock and see if you have over 1'' clearance from the frame to the tire.
If so, it should be fine.
I'll do that and I'll ask the wife. lol
Are they saying the axle width is 48", or the overall track width will be 48"? Overall width is changed by the spindle, brake, and wheel you choose for the front end.....
Good point! I'd measure your axle, center of spindles and then call the tech guys at Speedway to be sure you're talking the same dimension base. Those guys know their products, in my experience. Another source is Pete and Jake's Hot Rod Parts but I bet Speedway will be cheaper. Like 123pugsy suggested, once you have the comparison look at the full lock clearance to see if the narrower axle works.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dave Severson
My axle is 50 inches center
Of king pin to center of king pin. I just wish I knew what axle I have, year etc. Because I want to make sure king pins n all will fit.
You can use thicker king pin bushings if necessary
On the Beam: Old-Time Front Axle Restoration this may help
The problem I'm having now is finding out if my king pins and spindles will work in speedways axle. Part number 91639510 Frontend assembly for Model A I-beam axle.
Like Jerry said above, you can use thicker bronze kingpin bushings in the axle if your kingpin is smaller. or in your spindle if the axle is smaller. Should not be a problem that a shop set up to service truck axles cannot handle.Quote:
Originally Posted by Bearcamp
Their axle is 48 center of king pin to center and mine is 50 so that shouldn't be a problem. Only lookin at 1 inch on each side. Now just to figure out if pins are the same. Is there a site where I can find out what pins sizes are for older ford trucks like a 3/4 ton?
I see alot of axles with 2-3/8'' high king pin boss and a .8125 diameter kingpin.
Ford Axles, Axle & Dropped Axle
And ya know,,,,that's about what mine comes out to.
Just found out that the front axle is from a 50s Chevy with earlier Chevy wheels. I took the kingpins apart with not much of a problem. Now to order my axle setup from Speedway. The pins that are going in their axle are going to be about 1/4 inch too long though to work with my spindles. Also their axle batwings are 3 inches wider than mine but don't believe that will be much of a problem. Do you guys think I'll have to run a panhard bar?
I'll put up the sizes of their kingpins and what I took out of the old axle to see if you guys think it'll work ok. I glad everyone talked me into doing this the right way but just needed a boot in the butt to do it. But,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,I'll still need a few question answered from time to time.