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-   -   4 inch drop axle, front for 31 A (https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=285298)

daveymc29 08-08-2020 10:49 PM

4 inch drop axle, front for 31 A
 

Seems to me that several folks have replaced the front axle with a 4 inch dropped axle and taken a leaf out of the rear spring to make their coupes look like the period hot rods had. Where do you find the axle? I was looking at my coupe as it sits and it appears there is 8 inches from the top of my 600 X 16 front tire to the underside of the fender. Close to that on the rear. Any suggestions and thing to not do?

Thanks,
Dave Mc Arthur

jw hash 08-08-2020 11:17 PM

Re: 4 inch drop axle, front for 31 A
 

speed way motors has the axles, you want be careful on the drop. it can mess with the tie rod. I have a good contact with them. that is pretty savvy on setting front axles up.

PotvinV8 08-09-2020 01:30 AM

Re: 4 inch drop axle, front for 31 A
 

https://www.hotrod.com/articles/mode...-adjustment-2/

You're welcome. ;)

Bob C 08-09-2020 10:02 AM

Re: 4 inch drop axle, front for 31 A
 

Here's an old thread with a lot of info.
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=12576

Jim Brierley 08-09-2020 10:42 AM

Re: 4 inch drop axle, front for 31 A
 

Speedway Motors. Their prices are better than most, and good to deal with. I put a Model T spring in the rear of my widebed. In my tudor I removed the top 4 leaves except for the top one, it is needed as it is contoured to match the cross-member.

Licensed to kill 08-09-2020 11:04 AM

Re: 4 inch drop axle, front for 31 A
 

I bought mine from "Okie Joe". http://www.joesspeedshop.com/joesproducts.htm He gives a $50 core for your old axle (or will drop yours for you) but I didn't bother as the shipping from Canada would have been more than the core.

Jack Shaft 08-09-2020 11:42 AM

Re: 4 inch drop axle, front for 31 A
 

Are you running juice or mechanical brakes?

Jack Shaft 08-09-2020 02:05 PM

Re: 4 inch drop axle, front for 31 A
 

Stock A suspension with a "rubber rake"..205/55r16 front,225/75 r16 rear..

https://i.imgur.com/4h5r7zP.jpg?1

Chris Haynes 08-09-2020 04:15 PM

Re: 4 inch drop axle, front for 31 A
 

By using a '32-'36 front axle and a Posies reversed eye spring I lowered my car 3". You either have to heat and bend the tie rod arms on the spindle or use Jeep tie rod ends to clear the wishbone.
Posies can also sell you a spring that will drop the car 2" by its self.

wensum 08-09-2020 05:04 PM

Re: 4 inch drop axle, front for 31 A
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Haynes (Post 1918358)
By using a '32-'36 front axle and a Posies reversed eye spring I lowered my car 3". You either have to heat and bend the tie rod arms on the spindle or use Jeep tie rod ends to clear the wishbone.
Posies can also sell you a spring that will drop the car 2" by its self.


I'm curious about the Jeep Tie Rod ends solution? I have a '32 front axle which drops the front about 1.5 inches, but on sudden bumps, the tie rod taps the chassis and I haven't found a solution to dropping the tie rod 1.5 inches? Any other suggestions that doesn't include goose necking the tie rod?

Jack Shaft 08-09-2020 07:09 PM

Re: 4 inch drop axle, front for 31 A
 

Tie rod function gets dicey the further you are away from the line of the king pin..drop too much below the lower king pin bushing and bump steer increases, the spindle gains leverage on the tie rod.

Chris Haynes 08-09-2020 10:10 PM

Re: 4 inch drop axle, front for 31 A
 

Here you can see the Jeep tie rod ends that drop the tie rod.
https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds

Banger4Sure 08-09-2020 11:19 PM

Re: 4 inch drop axle, front for 31 A
 

Over on the H.A.M.B. nailheadroadster made a number of posts in the summer of 2018 outlining work that he did on his 29... with a very detailed description of how he lowered his car including pictures and a parts list.

https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/...my-29.1114472/

Here is what he used for the front:
1) 33 Ford axle
2) 32 Ford spindles
3) 32 Ford spring perches
4) Posies 2" front lowering spring (part # 1002L)
5) Stock Model A Ford kingpins
6) Stock Model A Ford brake actuators
7) Stock Model A Ford shackles
8) Stock Model A Ford wishbone
9) 1/4in spacers (2) These go between the TOP of the axle and the wishbone (VERY important!)
10) 32 spindle bolt bushing (reamed to spindle size after installation)
11) 32 spindle bolt rebuild kit, with new bearings
12) 1 ½” shorter pitman arm (this is not required, but definitely helps to ease steering effort)

In the back he used a Model T spring with couple of leaves removed off the top and a couple of alternating leaves after that leaving him with five T leaves total...

Johnny Nitro 08-10-2020 03:53 AM

Re: 4 inch drop axle, front for 31 A
 

I had Okie Joe drop, and stretch my stock front axle, reverse eye leaf, ‘32 spring perches, and ‘37 Willys tie rod ends, so I could use my stock tie rod. Oh, and a T rear spring

wensum 08-17-2020 10:07 PM

Re: 4 inch drop axle, front for 31 A
 

Thanks Chris #12 What I can't tell from the photo is whether the Jeep tie-rod end comes with it's own ball and therefore requires the replacement of the original Model A ball? I have already replaced the balls on the ends of the steering arms with new balls welded in place.

Waksk8n 12-29-2020 07:13 AM

Re: 4 inch drop axle, front for 31 A
 

I’m interested in Jeep tierod question as well. Any more pics?

katy 12-29-2020 12:18 PM

Re: 4 inch drop axle, front for 31 A
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Waksk8n (Post 1967791)
I’m interested in Jeep tierod question as well. Any more pics?

Also, what year(s) Jeep?

Chris Haynes 12-29-2020 03:34 PM

Re: 4 inch drop axle, front for 31 A
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by katy (Post 1967890)
Also, what year(s) Jeep?

After I posted the picture I found that my supplier had replaced the Jeep parts I ordered with 1948-1964 Ford Pickup tie rod ends. I see that Speedway has them.
https://www.speedwaymotors.com/Speed...nds,50152.html

katy 12-30-2020 11:10 AM

Re: 4 inch drop axle, front for 31 A
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Haynes (Post 1967965)
After I posted the picture I found that my supplier had replaced the Jeep parts I ordered with 1948-1964 Ford Pickup tie rod ends. I see that Speedway has them.
https://www.speedwaymotors.com/Speed...nds,50152.html

Thanks


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