Thread: how to ID a beam front axle?

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I recently purchased a 64 Dodge Polara that was used as a drag car in the 60s. It has a solid beam axle in front mounted with parallel leaf springs. The previous owner (not the builder) said that he was told that the whole setup was out of a Ford econoline van. Remarkably, it rides and handles fairly well and has a certain hot rod charm. However it could use a little R&R.

In order to purchase the correct kingpins for the spindles, and the brake parts, I need to identify who the original manufacturer was. This is my problem! How can I tell if a beam front axle is from a 60s era Ford Econoline or a Dodge A100 van, or ???? Any ideas?

Ken

Here's a pic of the car:

Excellent suggestion Richard. You must live somewhere warm!! Unfortunately there are probably only a dozen 60s era Ford, Chevy or Dodge vans left in Michigan and most aren't mobile. The rust worms ate these vans up long ago. There's not much of a chance of spotting one in the parking lot at Walmart.

I'm hoping to locate photos and dimensional information that would have been in tech/repair manuals. Do you know of any that are available online? Truck and van stuff doesn't seem as available as passenger car stuff.

Do you know of a supplier that might carry replacement suspension items for 60s van & light truck applications?

Thanks,
Ken

More excellent ideas!! I took a bunch of photos of the front end before I put the car in winter storage last week. I'll put them to use as I pester the Geezers at the local Ford dealerships. We've got plenty of them around here!

I was in Phoenix back in October, trying to talk the wife into moving. As you may recall, that's when you had a record setting heat wave. She likes it warm but not 96 in October LOL!

Thanks for the help,

Ken

Okay up, here's a link to a supply source for econoline parts: http://www.macsautoparts.com/econ.html Go to search, and enter king pin, you'll get dimensions that should be helpful.

And here's a line drawing of the front axle assy:

Thanks for that piece of research Bob. It's a big help, especially the diagram. Their prices are really reasonable too.

Any Ideas about where to find this kind of vendor for old Dodge trucks and vans? Kanter has some stuff. I'm hoping to find a dodge speciality house.

Ken