Thread: Pics/info of 42-48 front axle on a model A?

Tweet

Hey all,
So I've got this front ibeam that I think is from a 1942-48 Ford --- 50" kingpin to kingpin, and 40-41" perch to perch, and a decent drop to it.

I know it's a little wider than a standard 46-48" axle, and I know the perches are a little farther apart than the standard 34-36" or so.

I plan on a spring-over setup with hairpins, and I've got a full '63 econoline spindle and brake setup that I'm planning to use.

I think the perches are 2-1/4", and I know that I need to machine the spindle boss down to fit the econoline spindle, and make a spacer to use the .741" econoline kingpin in the .813" axle kingpin hole. I've got more machine shop time available than I've got money for brandy-new axles and spindles, so I'm not so worried about that.

BUT, I've read that the wide perches will cause me problems in steering -- tires hitting the radius rods. Anyone got any pics or thoughts? Any comments on problems I might run into?

I've also read about using longer shackles to drop the front end a bit, and I've seen photos of a spring in front of an axle, and behind. I'm not sure what a stock 42-48 front suspension looks like, and I'm confused on where to get a spring to run, and shackles and so on.

The overall car plan is a stock model A frame, coupe body, no fenders. V8 flatty, T-5, Ford Ranger rear. 14"s in front, 15"s in back, steelies.

Thanks for any insight.
Pete

Hey Pete,
I am doing almost the same thing except 350/350 w/8" and stock ford spindle/brakes. The stock spring was hung on the radius rods in front of the spring. Posies priced the spring for this at $190 for the spring over axle setup.
I plan on using the stock model A split wishbones. The axle was originally setup for cross steering. I haven't mocked it up to check on clearances, however I don't see how the tires would hit since the rods are at a greater angle to reach the frame. The tires are theoretically the same distance from the radius rods as the shorter axle.

Hope I helped you a little.

\Mike

Mike called it. The main problem with the stock setup is your wheelbase is shortened about 6 inches if you use it as it came from the factory (with the spring in front) You mention you want to go with the spring on top, and from what Mike says, I guess Posies has addressed this problem with a longer than normal spring. You will also need new spring perches that have a mount on top to put the spring shackles into.

Don't consider longer shackles at all. They simply allow the front end to sway too much from side to side. Very unsafe.

Whatever you do, don't to what is shown in the picture below. It lowers the car, but effectively wipes out all spring action and is prone to breaking at the most inopportune times.

Don

Where you run into clearance problems is with a split wishbone '48 front end, the tires may rub when cranked right over. Playing with rim widths and offsets will get you past it, though.

Hey, thanks a lot guys! Itoldyouso, yeah that doesn't look so good. A reverse eye spring would seem to be better.

Thanks for the posies info as well -- I'm off to learn more.

Pete