Thread: Couple of questions on semi-elliptical front end??

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For some reason I can't post pics in the suspension forum so bear with me.

http://www.mustangmods.com/ims/u/936/4586/84191.jpg

I can't figure out what to do with the front suspension on this thing to get it really low to use as a rat rod with a big kickup in the back. The axle itself is about 8" off the pavement with the tire I have on now, and that is about what I would like to have the frame at. So I guess I need to have the axle directly in front of the frame, suicide style.

Look at the picture and tell me why this wouldn't work;
Cut the frame off in front of the crossmember that is there right now and take the motor mounts off of it. Use that crossmember as a base for quarter elliptical springs. Drill the axle straight through front to back (just like drilling it for appearance) and bolt a spring perch in, then shackle the springs to the perches in the web of the axle. Weld on a pair of batwings and use hairpins. The springs mounted that would should eliminate the need for a panhard bar, and then all I have to do is figure out steering and shocks.
Thanks,
CHAZ

Are you thinking of putting the spring behind or in front of the axle? I'm trying to picture it, but can't quite get it straight in my head.

Don

Spring behind the axle. I wish could could draw it out, maybe I will take a shot at it. I guess my biggest question now is if the stock front crossmember will take the stress of holding the front suspension? With the spring shackled to the back of the axle it will want to twist, but I am assuming strong batwings and hairpins will keep this under control?
Thanks,
CHAZ

Chaz: Alot of this is going to depend on what grille shell you are going to use. Have you figured that out yet? It might sound strange, but the shell will sort of dictate what you need up front to hold it in the right position. As for the twisting thing, you probably will be mounting the rear portion of the springs in some sort of bracket that is mounted to the outside of the frame side rails?

Draw up something that looks like what you have in mind and post it. We won't laugh at your stick figures. Well, not too much anyway.

Don

I will take a picture and draw on it to let you know what I have in mind. I wanted to put the springs inboard of the frame rails, but they would only be 18" apart center to center. I was going to have the spring mounts ahead of the grill shell. If you are doing something this out of the ordinary you want to have it out there to be seen. I will have a pic and diagram soon.
CHAZ

Chaz, I took a picture of a similar setup in a magazine I have. I don't have a scanner, so this is the best I can do. It might reproduce and give you some ideas.

Don

OK, here it is, the worst mock up/photochop you have ever seen!!!!

http://www.mustangmods.com/ims/u/936/4586/84558.jpg

Those 2x4's clamped to the crossmember are my springs. I want to come straight off the factory crossmember with the springs, and mount the axle suicide in front. Then I would use hairpins along the side of the frame, with a batwing welded onto the back of the axle itself. The lid represents where I think a grill shell would sit.
CHAZ

You may want to consider pinching the rails in some on the front, and adding new crossmembers. The reason I say that is it would give you some room to mount radius rods, and still let the wheels turn all the way left and right.

All it would take is a pie cut on each rail, right at the firewall, and then pulling the rails in until they are closer to the dimension of the grille shell you are going to use. It would also clean it up somewhat.

Just a thought.

Don

I was concerned that the springs being 20" apart was too close, and pinching the frame would make that worse. I want to do as much as possible myself, and I don't feel comfortable welding suspension mounts on a suicide front end. That is why I was hoping to use the factory crossmember. I figured on cutting the frame rails just in front of the crossmember, and putting a contour on them and maybe a spreader bar to dress it up.
CHAZ