The Ford Barn

Hijinxx · 06-23-2015, 06:07 PM

Need an idea for a independent front suspension for my 32 Tudor. I have used the Corvair but those are hard to find. Has anyone used a different application successfully?

JSeery · 06-23-2015, 06:24 PM

Might post on the HAMB, lot of posters there with experience with this type of mod.

NealinCA · 06-23-2015, 06:33 PM

This isn't really the forum for IFS, you might try a Street Rod forum.

My opinion is to stay with an axle and buggy spring...but we will gladly buy your original Ford suspension if you decide to do away with it.

Neal

tubman · 06-23-2015, 06:36 PM

I don't think the H.A.M.B. would be a good forum for this type of thing either. Plus, those guys can be a lot harder on you than we would be. As mentioned, try a street rod forum.

Brendan · 06-23-2015, 06:37 PM

if its in original 32, pass it on to some one else and buy a car with a TCI frame

Hijinxx · 06-23-2015, 07:54 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brendan

if its in original 32, pass it on to some one else and buy a car with a TCI frame

It has been updated. So no not original. Thanks for your reply!

Hijinxx · 06-23-2015, 07:59 PM

Love my street rods. Respect the originals.

Vanspeed · 06-23-2015, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tubman

I don't think the H.A.M.B. would be a good forum for this type of thing either. Plus, those guys can be a lot harder on you than we would be. As mentioned, try a street rod forum.

X2 on this. Seriously, the HAMB would probably eat you alive. I am a member there too. Hairpins are about the only mod that flies.

Mike B · 06-23-2015, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vanspeed

X2 on this. Seriously, the HAMB would probably eat you alive. I am a member there too. Hairpins are about the only mod that flies.

Naw, as long as it's fendered, it's good...a few of the best builders there do IFS conversions as well.

Vanspeed · 06-23-2015, 08:49 PM

It is a very thin line. The " best" builders use a straight front axle. In my opinion.

Kahuna · 06-23-2015, 08:54 PM

Find another forum

Mike B · 06-23-2015, 08:56 PM

I'd agree, but many of those same guys have given info on how they install IFS's, I don't think it's as taboo as it once was there.

Vanspeed · 06-23-2015, 09:04 PM

Likewise I think we all agree, find a street rod forum. They would have the best available info.

Bassman/NZ · 06-23-2015, 09:10 PM

You need a Heidts front end. Google it. I am a traditionalist and would die before putting an IFS in a 32, but if you are set on doing it, the Heidts or Fatman IFS systems are made so you get the correct track width, ease of installation, correct handling geometry and smooth ride.

Hijinxx · 06-23-2015, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NealinCA

This isn't really the forum for IFS, you might try a Street Rod forum.

My opinion is to stay with an axle and buggy spring...but we will gladly buy your original Ford suspension if you decide to do away with it.

Neal

I think it is a 37 front but will check it out for you.

Hijinxx · 06-23-2015, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bassman/NZ

You need a Heidts front end. Google it. I am a traditionalist and would die before putting an IFS in a 32, but if you are set on doing it, the Heidts or Fatman IFS systems are made so you get the correct track width, ease of installation, correct handling geometry and smooth ride.

Thanks for your help.

Hijinxx · 06-27-2015, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NealinCA

This isn't really the forum for IFS, you might try a Street Rod forum.

My opinion is to stay with an axle and buggy spring...but we will gladly buy your original Ford suspension if you decide to do away with it.

Neal

It is a 42 to 48 front. The steering column is a 32.

JSeery · 06-27-2015, 02:10 PM

So, it's a 32 body on a 42 or later frame?

Ol' Ron · 06-27-2015, 05:54 PM

Besides engines, I really like suspension systems. They all have their advantages and weaknesses. The pre-35 front axle suspension systems leave little room for modifications. The spring is on top of the axle, and the shackles have to be in tension to keep the body/frame from moving over the axle in a turn. The 35-48 have the spring in front of the axle alowig the frame to be lower. It also allows the shackles to run verticly allowing the spring to respond to miner road bumps to be absorbed with transfering it to the frame. Unfortunately ths may cause body sway. This is cures with a track/pan hard bar. the last remaining thing you can do to either type suspension system is an anti roll bar. This will increase the spring rate of the loaded wheel.
With all this said: Spring rate can be reduced by tapering the ends of the leaves, this will smooth kout the ride as well. Last but not least are the shocks. the old lever shocks in good condition are one of the best you can put on old straight axle care. However the aircraft type shocks must also be sized for the weight of the car. Some of the new builders are using coil overs on the front axles and this can use a variable rate coil. Ford was probably the best designer of straight axle suspensions, take a ride in a 40's Lincoln and you'll see why. An IFS is a better system in many ways, but for average street use you can't beat the original. And then there are tires.
Good luck.

IronFord · 06-27-2015, 06:26 PM

Why would you ever want to use Corvair front suspension on a 32? Maybe you could use the Corvair engine also and make it rear engine. Or you could to put a SBC and a turbo 350 in it that would be even better. Because that would defiantly be unique and flatheads just are not reliable. [NOTE: Sarcasm is being used.]

A 32 frame with a 42-48 Ford front end can still be fixed. 32 ford's are some of the most desirable cars ever made. If you are going to street rod one fine, but do it correctly. If you don't have the funds; save until you can afford a good after market front end like Heidts. Or buy a TCI frame. BTW, this is an original Ford site. Next time try streetrodder.com

06-23-2015, 06:07 PM	#1
Hijinxx Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 6	independent suspension 32 ford Need an idea for a independent front suspension for my 32 Tudor. I have used the Corvair but those are hard to find. Has anyone used a different application successfully?

06-23-2015, 06:24 PM	#2
JSeery Member Emeritus Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Wichita KS Posts: 16,132	Re: independent suspension 32 ford Might post on the HAMB, lot of posters there with experience with this type of mod.

06-23-2015, 06:33 PM	#3
NealinCA Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Central Coast, Calif. Posts: 839	Re: independent suspension 32 ford This isn't really the forum for IFS, you might try a Street Rod forum. My opinion is to stay with an axle and buggy spring...but we will gladly buy your original Ford suspension if you decide to do away with it. Neal

06-23-2015, 06:36 PM	#4
tubman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys Posts: 10,320	Re: independent suspension 32 ford I don't think the H.A.M.B. would be a good forum for this type of thing either. Plus, those guys can be a lot harder on you than we would be. As mentioned, try a street rod forum.

06-23-2015, 06:37 PM	#5
Brendan Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: At my kitchen table in Santa Rosa, Ca Posts: 2,903	Re: independent suspension 32 ford if its in original 32, pass it on to some one else and buy a car with a TCI frame __________________ If it would have been a snake it would have bit ya! i can't spell my way out of a paper bag!

06-23-2015, 07:59 PM	#7
Hijinxx Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 6	Re: independent suspension 32 ford Love my street rods. Respect the originals.

06-23-2015, 08:49 PM	#10
Vanspeed Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Suttons Bay, Mich. Posts: 3,385	Re: independent suspension 32 ford It is a very thin line. The " best" builders use a straight front axle. In my opinion. __________________ *Respecting and Resurrecting Ford Model A's.*

06-23-2015, 08:54 PM	#11
Kahuna Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: NorCal Posts: 2,617	Re: independent suspension 32 ford Find another forum

06-23-2015, 08:56 PM	#12
Mike B Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oakdale,Ca Posts: 1,323	Re: independent suspension 32 ford I'd agree, but many of those same guys have given info on how they install IFS's, I don't think it's as taboo as it once was there.

06-23-2015, 09:04 PM	#13
Vanspeed Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Suttons Bay, Mich. Posts: 3,385	Re: independent suspension 32 ford Likewise I think we all agree, find a street rod forum. They would have the best available info. __________________ *Respecting and Resurrecting Ford Model A's.*

06-23-2015, 09:10 PM	#14
Bassman/NZ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Napier, New Zealand Posts: 2,001	Re: independent suspension 32 ford You need a Heidts front end. Google it. I am a traditionalist and would die before putting an IFS in a 32, but if you are set on doing it, the Heidts or Fatman IFS systems are made so you get the correct track width, ease of installation, correct handling geometry and smooth ride.

06-27-2015, 02:10 PM	#18
JSeery Member Emeritus Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Wichita KS Posts: 16,132	Re: independent suspension 32 ford So, it's a 32 body on a 42 or later frame?

06-27-2015, 05:54 PM	#19
Ol' Ron Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Chester Vt Posts: 8,860	Re: independent suspension 32 ford Besides engines, I really like suspension systems. They all have their advantages and weaknesses. The pre-35 front axle suspension systems leave little room for modifications. The spring is on top of the axle, and the shackles have to be in tension to keep the body/frame from moving over the axle in a turn. The 35-48 have the spring in front of the axle alowig the frame to be lower. It also allows the shackles to run verticly allowing the spring to respond to miner road bumps to be absorbed with transfering it to the frame. Unfortunately ths may cause body sway. This is cures with a track/pan hard bar. the last remaining thing you can do to either type suspension system is an anti roll bar. This will increase the spring rate of the loaded wheel. With all this said: Spring rate can be reduced by tapering the ends of the leaves, this will smooth kout the ride as well. Last but not least are the shocks. the old lever shocks in good condition are one of the best you can put on old straight axle care. However the aircraft type shocks must also be sized for the weight of the car. Some of the new builders are using coil overs on the front axles and this can use a variable rate coil. Ford was probably the best designer of straight axle suspensions, take a ride in a 40's Lincoln and you'll see why. An IFS is a better system in many ways, but for average street use you can't beat the original. And then there are tires. Good luck.

06-27-2015, 06:26 PM	#20
IronFord Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Nd Posts: 29	Re: independent suspension 32 ford Why would you ever want to use Corvair front suspension on a 32? Maybe you could use the Corvair engine also and make it rear engine. Or you could to put a SBC and a turbo 350 in it that would be even better. Because that would defiantly be unique and flatheads just are not reliable. [NOTE: Sarcasm is being used.] A 32 frame with a 42-48 Ford front end can still be fixed. 32 ford's are some of the most desirable cars ever made. If you are going to street rod one fine, but do it correctly. If you don't have the funds; save until you can afford a good after market front end like Heidts. Or buy a TCI frame. BTW, this is an original Ford site. Next time try streetrodder.com