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Old 09-03-2010, 04:11 PM   #1
LeroyM
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Default How To Lower The Model A The Old Fashion Way

This is an update on my earlier post about how to lower a Model A. First I have to give credit to a few people who gave me some tips and tricks on making this whole thing come together. Fordbarner’s NealinCA, kelly’s restoration and H.A.M.B’er Elrod’s post answered a lot of questions I had. Also Fordbarner JM 35 Sedan for letting me have the axle I needed.

My original goal was to lower my Model A coupe but still run mechanical brakes and use the original shocks. I had broken springs so I bought a new reverse eyed front spring from Snyder’s. That lowered the front 1 inch but I still wanted to go lower and the ride with the new springs was very stiff so I took three springs out of the ten leaf pack. The springs I took out were 2, 3 and 4 from the top of the spring pack. This lowered the front another 1 1/4”. I still wasn’t happy with the look and wanted to go lower. To do this I need to do some research and find some hard to find parts.

The parts to go lower were 32-34 spring perches, 32 spindles and a 32-36 axle. Total time to find theses parts were about a month. Once I found the parts everything worked fine with new Model A kingpins and bushings from Mac’s and Model A spring shackles from Snyder’s. Two problems I ran into were bushings for the 32 spring perches. No one makes them so I had to go to the machine shop and get a piece of 3/4” pipe that had a 1/2” inside diameter and drill the center out to 9/16” to allow the Model A shackles to fit. The other problem I had was tie rod ball studs. I did not order any since I thought the Model A tie rod ball studs came off but they do not since they are all one piece.

One other thing that is needed is a 1/4” spacer to go between the axle and wishbone since the 32-36 axle is 2” and the Model A wishbone is 2 1/4”. I looked all over to find theses spacers and ended up finding them at Fastenal. They had to be ordered and were called a extra heavy fender washer that was 1/4” x 1 1/2”. The center hole was 1/4 but a 11/16 drill bit took care of drilling them out to allow them to work for what I needed.

The end result with the new axle brought the front end down another 1 3/4” for a total drop with everything of right at 4” inches lower from stock. With 600x16’s in the front and 700x16’s in the back it puts the look right where I want it which is a late 40’s to early 50’s style look.

I did some measuring and right at the center of the wheel to the bottom lower lip of the fender comes to be 27 1/2" and right in the center of the front radiator apron I have 7 1/2".

Here’s a few pictures I took this afternoon. If anyone has any questions let me know.

Thanks.







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Old 09-03-2010, 04:16 PM   #2
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Default Re: How To Lower The Model A The Old Fashion Way

Fantastic. Looks great, the stance is spot on.
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Old 09-03-2010, 04:56 PM   #3
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Default Re: How To Lower The Model A The Old Fashion Way

That looks just right ,fantastic information ,My eldest son has just purchased a nice stock 28 coupe with 16 inch wires and wants to get it sitting like yours ,it arrives next week ,so will have to start collecting the parts ,what did you do at the rear spring ?
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Old 09-03-2010, 05:01 PM   #4
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Default Re: How To Lower The Model A The Old Fashion Way

NICE!!!!
Paul in CT
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Old 09-03-2010, 05:58 PM   #5
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Nothing has been done to the rear. The only thing I'm waiting on now is the ball studs from Mac's so I can put my tie rod back on. After that I'm putting my bumpers back on and driving it.
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Old 09-03-2010, 11:22 PM   #6
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That really makes the 16s fit the car. nice looking coupe. Stance is right on.
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Old 09-04-2010, 12:58 AM   #7
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Default Re: How To Lower The Model A The Old Fashion Way

Lookin' good man! I do love how these babies look lowered.

I just went through my front brakes for some more adjusting and fine tuning again today and also made sure that everything was nice and tight. The modifications are still holding up really well.

Keep us updated on your coupe progress!!

Elrod
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Old 09-04-2010, 09:01 AM   #8
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Default Re: How To Lower The Model A The Old Fashion Way

looks great . i did mine with reversed eye springs & took some leaves out . same out come ............. steve
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Old 09-04-2010, 10:05 AM   #9
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It looks just right. Let us know how it handles.
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Old 09-04-2010, 10:17 AM   #10
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Looks just right. Now I am thinking of doing mine that way.
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Old 09-04-2010, 11:35 AM   #11
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Default Re: How To Lower The Model A The Old Fashion Way

You must have used a 32-34 front axle, the 35 & later had the perch bolts farther apart because they used a spring that was ahead of the axle. The rear of your coupe looks good as-is. I used a Model T spring on the rear of my pickup to lower it. T springs are narrower and shorter but by stretching them you get a flatter spring, and a lower car.
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Old 09-04-2010, 12:11 PM   #12
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Default Re: How To Lower The Model A The Old Fashion Way

LeroyM .........................
All that work paid off. Your car looks just GREAT !!
MIKE
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Old 09-04-2010, 02:44 PM   #13
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Default Re: How To Lower The Model A The Old Fashion Way

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim Brierley View Post
You must have used a 32-34 front axle, the 35 & later had the perch bolts farther apart because they used a spring that was ahead of the axle. The rear of your coupe looks good as-is. I used a Model T spring on the rear of my pickup to lower it. T springs are narrower and shorter but by stretching them you get a flatter spring, and a lower car.
The guy I got the axle from said it came from his low mileage 35 sedan. Everything I've found says the 32-36 axles are all the same other then the 32 heavy axle. The spring perches are what makes the difference. They have to be 32-34 spring perches.
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Old 09-04-2010, 03:08 PM   #14
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Default Re: How To Lower The Model A The Old Fashion Way

Leroy,

Was there any caster change?

Dudley
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Old 09-04-2010, 03:18 PM   #15
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Default Re: How To Lower The Model A The Old Fashion Way

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim Brierley View Post
You must have used a 32-34 front axle, the 35 & later had the perch bolts farther apart because they used a spring that was ahead of the axle. The rear of your coupe looks good as-is. I used a Model T spring on the rear of my pickup to lower it. T springs are narrower and shorter but by stretching them you get a flatter spring, and a lower car.


According to thhe Green Bible, the B3010 axle was used 32-36.

Charlie Stephens
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Old 09-04-2010, 04:09 PM   #16
LeroyM
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Originally Posted by d.j. moordigian View Post
Leroy,

Was there any caster change?

Dudley
I won't know until I get my tie rod back on. I'm waiting on the tie rod ball studs to show up from Mac's.
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Old 09-04-2010, 11:17 PM   #17
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Default Re: How To Lower The Model A The Old Fashion Way

looks good leroy. i posted this picture on the hamb i think but here it is again. its all the parts that we discussed and it turned out great, just like yours. Now did you hook up your shocks yet? i have mine sitting on the shelf and didnt know if the dog bones were going to work(end links or what have you)also i put a t spring with one leaf removed on the back of my car and it dropped about 2.5-3 inchestk
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Old 09-05-2010, 06:54 AM   #18
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Default Re: How To Lower The Model A The Old Fashion Way

Big shoes on that horse!
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Old 09-05-2010, 11:00 AM   #19
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Default Re: How To Lower The Model A The Old Fashion Way

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Originally Posted by kelley's restoration View Post
Now did you hook up your shocks yet? i have mine sitting on the shelf and didnt know if the dog bones were going to work(end links or what have you).
The shocks hook up and work like they are suppose to. Here's a picture.



Can anyone with photoshop take one of the pictures I have and change the wheel colors to black? I was thinking of changing them but not sure, either that or try and fit wide fives on it. If you can photoshop the wheels black or wide fives that would be great.

Thanks.
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Old 09-05-2010, 11:50 AM   #20
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i guess my only concern now is the shock arm hitting the fender when the suspension goes through its traveltk
Quote:
Originally Posted by LeroyM View Post
The shocks hook up and work like they are suppose to. Here's a picture.



Can anyone with photoshop take one of the pictures I have and change the wheel colors to black? I was thinking of changing them but not sure, either that or try and fit wide fives on it. If you can photoshop the wheels black or wide fives that would be great.

Thanks.
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