Attn New Zealand Barners: 1941 Pickup Front Axle

[rich b]

May be worthwhile to check the perch bolt center dimension on that drop axle, just to be sure it is at the stock '37-'41 width; especially since you describe it as a 4" axle with reshaped original steering arms.

[Brian]

Ted's post is spot on!

Point I'm trying to make is who knows what any of our old car components has been subjected to over it's 80 odd year existence? How can an authorised vehicle inspector know if steering arms have been heated and bent if they appear stock?
The 41 pu in question has been modified with, amongst other details, disc brakes on the front, this conversion alone is going to require certification. I 'think' as part of the certification procedure for these particular components, the stub axles will need to be crack tested. If they pass this test, then what is the issue?

Over the years, playing with old Fords, I have resurrected several old stub axles to use on vehicles I've built. Some of these things were rusty, been hammered on, particularly around tie rod end fittings, and who knows?- possibly even been heated at some stage of their life, who knows how many pot holes they've hit doing 70 MPH? Thing is, no-one knows....However, they are Henry Ford drop forged vanadium steel, tougher/stronger than aftermarket components.
Whilst the bureaucrats have modified vehicles safety at heart, they are legislating for the masses. Unfortunately, common sense has gone out the back door. The steering arms on this 41 pickup can be safely 'restored' back to original state, very easily, very safely. More economically than having to import fresh LHD stubs from [USA], which again, the history of is unknown.

[FlatheadTed]

Brian I agree completely ,The Man Ted cassily had to change the original perch bolts on his 32 for Stainles steel to pass compliance, Stainless work hardens ?,Now any one know were I can get a 33/34 wish bone in NZ .

[FlatheadEric]

Fortunately I drive a stock standard 38 sedan and my mate working on the 41 pickup is using this as a template for the 41 pickup roll back. We had a big measure up over the last weekend and found a few interesting things:
1. The 4" drop axle does have narrower wishbone perch bolt centres as Rich B suggested above.
2. The wishbone front spring shackle mountings been heated and twisted to account for the narrower wishbone perch bolt centres so allowing the front spring shackles to align properly with the wishbone spring mounts again.
3. The steering arms on my 38 are exactly the same length as the steering arms on the dropped 41 confirming that they have been heated and bent to their new shape.

We are aware that it is not legal to heat any steering components in NZ but we are contemplating the option of heating and bending both the steering arms and wishbone back to standard then painting them and having them crack tested which should mitigate the safety worry (as Brian has suggested).

In the mean time NZers tell me that you have a surplus stock axle in your collection that you will reluctantly part with.

[FlatheadTed]

I do have a axle what's the measurement from the perch to the king pin ,Ted

[JSeery]

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Originally Posted by FlatheadEric

The wishbone front spring shackle mountings been heated and twisted to account for the narrower wishbone perch bolt centres so allowing the front spring shackles to align properly with the wishbone spring mounts again.

Another common modification when Hot Rodding, LOL.

[FlatheadEric]

Hello Ted, I am working in Taumarunui so will check the measurement when I get back home over Waitangi Day. From memory it is about 130mm but I will get an accurate measurement and let you know.

[FlatheadEric]

Hello again Ted, Home now and have had a measure up on my '38.
Distance between wishbone perch bolts centres measures close enough to 1005mm.
Distance between wishbone perch bolt centre and king pin centre measures close enough to 130mm.
How does that compare with what you have on hand?

[Mart]

I don't know if it is a common thing to do, but I did try it once. You can use a 35/36 type wishbone and a 33-36 type axle in the 40 frame. this gives you better options for a dropped axle, which are available aftermarket, or easier to drop than the 39/40 type. The perch bolt centres are closer together than the 40.
If your perch bolt centres are closer together, it may be a 35/36 wishbone.
Mart.

[rich b]

Here is a picture to illustrate what Mart is saying about the difference between '35-'36 axle and 'bones top as compared to '37-'40 bottom.



Question this brought up: pretty sure a '41 truck uses the same wishbone as '37-'40 car and not the longer wishbone used in '41 car. Does anyone know for sure?

[Mart]

41 pickup uses carryover 40 parts rather than 41 car parts (generally).

[V8COOPMAN]

Originally Posted by Mart

41 pickup uses carryover 40 parts rather than 41 car parts (generally).

…...because it still incorporates the '40-type chassis....NOT the more updated '41-type car chassis. DD

[FlatheadEric]

Rich_b you are on the mark as the wishbone in my '38 Sedan looks exactly the same as the one in this '41 Pickup. Like the lower one in your picture.