Another Build Thread - My '32

[J. Robinson]

Sometimes called "lift bars", "drag bars", or "truck arms", the configuration is simple and effective. I always differentiated the names according to how the bars are mounted and whether they are angled. In the '60s when I built the first few sets, they were welded solidly to the rear axle housing and were sometimes fairly short. I called these lift bars or drag bars; they were good for drag racing, but were stiff and choppy on the street. Later on, with more experience as a fabricator and several street rod chassis to my credit, I designed what I refer to as truck arms. Inspired by the trailing arms used in early '60s Chevy trucks and used in NASCAR for years, the difference is that truck arms are usually longer, they are angled toward each other at the front, and ,most importantly, they are rubber mounted at the axle. The rubber mounting allows the car's chassis to lean or roll (when turning or encountering uneven surfaces) without stressing the bars, the rear axle housing, or the welds holding them together. That little flexibility allows for a comfortable ride and good handling while still providing a strong "launch" when the necessity arises.

So.., here is a picture of the first of several components. I started by fab'ing the axle housing brackets. Four pieces cut from 1/4 x 5 flat stock. I used my plasma cutter to rough cut them, then clamped them all together to grind,.. and grind,.. and grind them to final shape. With them still clamped together, I drilled the 1/2" holes 3 7/8" apart.