Thread: Front I-Beam Drop Axle, 4 or 5 inch?

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I'm getting ready to purchase a drop axle and I'm not sure if using a 5 inch drop would pose any kind of problem. I have a '32 Ford frame, it has hairpins in the front, a suicide front end, and a drag arm for turning.

I'm going to lower the rear end equivalent to the lowering of the front end to keep the same rake. My father told me I should probably stick with a 4 inch drop axle, but I want the car to sit as low as it can possibly sit and still be practical. I want the frame rail in the back to be at the same center line as the rear axle.

Is there a certain minimum distance off the ground that I should keep my tie rod off the ground considering I'm running the suicide front end with the tie rod out front?

I talked to Mike at Magnum Axle and he said a 5 inch drop I-beam axle with holes would run $590.

Any help/advice is appreciated!! Thank you...

We just had a discussion recently along similar lines, here's a link; http://www.clubhotrod.com/forums/sho...ght=scrub+line

Since you're mounting the tie rod out front clearance to the frame for that is no longer an issue. If you don't already know, you can't just reverse the spindles (or steering arms depending on your setup), you need to modify them or your steering is going to be "a bit" wild. Here's another thread link, at the bottom of the posting is a link with illustrations; http://www.clubhotrod.com/forums/sho...light=ackerman

Are you REALLY sure you want a 5" dropped axle? You'd best think that one over very seriously! I have a 4" drop on the front of my T sedan and it's so low in front that I can't even slide a jack under it. It's not too bad driving on the streets, but even so, you still have to watch out for "high rise" manhole covers, or debris in the center of your lane on the highways. My personal suggestion is to use the 5" drop only for drag strip or custom car show cars.

I gotta agree with Hotshoe on this one. I have built 3 cars now with 4" dropped axles, and its true---you can't even get a floor jack under the axle. Every time you run over a manhole cover, your heart stops for a moment. The 5" drop gives a profile thats way cool. but if you plan on driving this car, I would advise 4" drop as the maximum streetable axle.