Tiny ends heavy axles

[3W Hank]

The subject front axles.
In my 2 years to start build up my hotrod I had actually no clue on nothing.
I has read in Sweden car magazines of Mr Magoo on the 80’s.
To get a axle I heard of the ‘heavy’, but when I bought my first axles it was a dropped by Anson but I then I understand it was a 33-36 ( but some swear this tiny axles was also on some 32 cars )
But overall the idea was the ‘heavy’ was a 32 only.
Anyway I saw a very nice rather cruel dropped axle in chrome and said from the 50’s.
I really thought it was a heavy, but the chrome must trick me. but it was not for sale.
I could not get a deal going with Anson on find a heavy and he did not want a drop a axle anyway to me.
And find a heavy in USA was rather expensive 1K and up.
So I found a 33-36 and got it nice dropped here, but one day a saw a std heavy but rather pitted so I sold the dropped 33-36 and bought the heavy.
It was at a shop to be dropped but then one day I came across over a chromed and old dropp 33-36.
( I has seen that dropp on many hotrods so I wonder who did it, and it was the same dropp I saw on the other chromed 33-36 )
So I sold the heavy..
But in my build up I can just decide on front axles, chrome or no chrome, heavy or a 33-36 ;- )
All I know I never will use a new I-beam and want it low in front and keep the 32 frame horns ( so the RB idea is out )
Then as I collect std Henry 32 parts, so in my mind this came in ; maybe a 32 Ford need a 32 axle, so I found another std heavy ( rather nice not pitted )
-There I’m now.
Shore I has seen filled ends heavy and I has seen live the old Bell axles.
But can’t set up my mind on my 2 axles ( plus the heavy need be dropped )
Recently one showed me a socall ; ‘hammered’ 32 axle for sale.
I has seen this tiny ends actually on 2 cars not far from me.
I has never like those axles ends, but hard core Yes and maybe cool.
So how could the ends be so tiny and what is the ’More-Dropp’ axles (?)
History lession would be great.
My car will be filled with old speed parts ( not get into a circus with parts ) as I try find a decent way and as much as possible will be Henry parts in body/chassie.
Era correct, well, I try but not strictly. Example my car need to be low in front.

So how will this tiny end axles be, to much ‘rat rod’, or just to cruel.

[Mart]

Hi Hank. The ends are small because the axles were "stretch" dropped. I am not keen on that effect either.

[deuce_roadster]

I wouldn't run an axle that had that oddball long drop done to it for safety reasons plus it looks funky. We had a guy from a frame and axle shop speak at one of our Ford club meetings and he told us that when he would straighten a Ford axle he could tell if it had been heated. Said it always took about 8 tons to move an unheated axle but if it had been heated it moved at 4 in that area so a fundamental change happens to the alloy of the axle. I have straightened many bent early Ford I beam front axles cold and found the 8 ton value to be pretty true. I have a 25 ton press that has a gauge, so I know how much force I am putting on something.
Those 33-36 axles were probably service replacements when found in a 32. They ALL came out of the factory with what people call "heavy" axles.

[deuce lover]

I had one in 1963 a 27 T roadster PU I built w/a 265 Chev and cast iron powerglide. Never had an issue.I then had it chrome plated ($10 back then).Oh yes at the time I worked in a Front end shop where we straightened and aligned axles in school busses,Peterbuilt trucks etc. My boss at the time had worked for many years at Earl C Anthony Packard dealership in Los Angeles.He bought all their front end equipment and opened his shop in Long Beach.

[petehoovie]

Originally Posted by 3W Hank

The subject front axles.
In my 2 years start build up my hotrod I had actually no clue on nothing.
I has read in Sweden car magazines of Mr Magoo on the 80’s.
Get a axle I heard of the ‘heavy’, but when I bought my first axles it was a dropped axle by Anson but I then I I understand it was a 33-36 ( but some swear this tiny axles was also on some 32 cars )
But overall the idea was the ‘heavy’ was 32 only.
Anyway I saw a very nice rather cruel dropped axle in chrome said from the 50’s.
I really thought it was a heavy, but the chrome must trick me. It was not for sale.
I could not get a deal going with Anson on find a heavy and he did not want a drop a axle anyway to me.
And find a heavy in USA was rather expensive 1K and up.
So I found a 33-36 and got it nicer dropped here, but one day a saw a std heavy but rather pitted so I sold the dropped 33-36 and bought the heavy.
It was at a shop to be dropped but then one day I came across over a chromed and old dropp 33-36.
( I has seen that dropp on many hotrods so I wonder who did it, and it was the same dropp I saw on the other chromed 33-36 )
So I sold the heavy..
But in my build up I can just decide on front axles, chrome or no chrome, heavy or a 33-36 ;- )
All I know I never will use a new I-beam and want it low in front and keep the 32 frame horns ( so the RB idea is out )
Then as I collect std Henry 32 parts, so in my mind came in ; maybe a 32 Ford need a 32 axle, so I found another std heavy ( rather nice not pitted )
There I’m now.
Shore I has seen filled ends heavy and I has seen live the old Bell axles.
Can’t set up my mind on my 2 axles ( plus the heavy need be dropped )
So some days ago one showed me a so call ; ‘hammered’ 32 axle for sale.
I has seen this tiny ends actually on 2 cars not far from me.
I has never like those axles ends, but hard core yes and maybe cool.
So how could the ends be so tiny and what is the More dropp axles (?)
History lession would be great.
My car will be filled with old speed parts ( not get into a circus with parts ) as I try find a decent way and as much as possible will be Henry parts in body/chassie.
Era correct, well, I try but not strictly. Example my car need be low in front.
So how will this axles be, to much ‘rat rod’, or just to cruel.

[Tim Ayers]

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In my opinion, a dropped '33-'36 axle is the prettiest of the bunch. I love the look of a stock '32 axle and that is what I run, but when they are dropped they look too thick and not as graceful. Ultimately, asking which axle to use comes down to your choice.

Judging by your post on here and the HAMB, it really seems like you have a tough time making up your mind.

In the end, it's your car and you need to do what makes you happy.

[3W Hank]

Tim,
Yes its not easy but its fun.
If I’m not pleased on cars style or look, its no point.
I has bought parts, think it over, keep or sold it.
One good thing get parts plus ask question one learn.
Right now I pretty much set up the concept.
Body is choosed, rearend, transmssion, driveshaft, brakes, pedals, steer box and I has 2 front axeles ( could keep on intil I’m Ok there )
I struggle still on dash but all my Wings is at Abbott now so will I use the Hollywood dash, and if so will I cut the dash up or lower it ( make it wider, but…) etc etc.
On engine a classic FH no blower, magneto and I has intake, carbs and heads.
I order parts all the time, today I got a lock box to trunk, a trunk bar is on its way and so the days, weeks month go.
Its far from easy start with a frame.
Body was a 3W ( could not a find a decet one, was into a new body but to much work weld it and ready in a box it was to much $ ) then it went a Brockville 29 then but I understand no new body for me ( sold it ) so then came the 5W.
I did run 7.000 miles in Sweden in 1 year on collect parts, plus parts from USA.
Its coming on but many small parts left ! ( plus big parts as grille, 25 L hood etc )
I still wait on sheet metal guy, then big mock-up, then paint, all mechanics, chrome, interiour.
Well it shore would in this case be great to send it over to Hollywood hotrods..
But I has not that money plus I miss journey.

[rich b]

Hank, always asking about "early" period correct; nothing is more old time correct than one of Stewart's "dago" deuce axles as they were one of the first around.

[petehoovie]

Originally Posted by rich b

Hank, always asking about "early" period correct; nothing is more old time correct than one of Stewart's "dago" deuce axles as they were one of the first around.

[deuce lover]

Rich b X 2 on that.Here is his pic that I edited for clarity.Same axle that was in my T roadster PU. Just found an old pic of my T with the Stewart axle.Sorry for poor quality .

[petehoovie]

Originally Posted by deuce lover

Rich b X 2 on that.Here is his pic that I edited for clarity.Same axle that was in my T roadster PU.

[3W Hank]

Yesterday I heard of the Dago axles.
A guy from San Diego.
That was my friend with a A-Ford coupe has.
So a new name !
Nothing beat history.
So when was he in production ?
Late 30’s or 40’s or 50’s ?
Maybe not beutiful but cool and historic right.
When I seen this axles before I never pay attetion ( but maybe now !

[Bored&Stroked]

I'm with the crowd that doesn't really like the "stretched taffy" look of heavily dropped 33-34 axles. Just not my style.

I'll take a mid-dropped 32 axle any day over the 33 - 34s. Like anything, it is just a question of personal choice!

[3W Hank]

Wonder, who did make this axle I has ?
Not super nice but ruff and cool to.
But a 32 might need a 32 (?)

[deuce lover]

Here

The Dago Axle is a name for dropped axels made by Ed "Axle" Stewart of San Diego, California. Ed was a machinist and heat-treat specialist by trade, but ended up devoting his life to hot rods. In the 1940s Ed started up a speed shop called Stewart Speed Automotive in his garage in Suncrest, about 30 miles from San Diego.

[petehoovie]

Originally Posted by 3W Hank

Wonder, who did make this axle I has ?
Not super nice but ruff and cool to.
But a 32 might need a 32 (?)

[rotorwrench]

Mor-Drop axles out of Oakland still show up on flea-pay now and then. Dago and Mor-Drop did a lot of them for all sorts of different I-beam type cars, vans, and trucks. They both had good reputations for knowing when to stop and making them look presentable. I'd say that more model A axles were likely dropped than any other type. They made well over 4-million of the damn things.

A lot of the taffy pull axles were done by DIY guys. Some look bad enough with just the pulled pretzel look but then you find the ones that they welded in the grooves front and rear which made them look even worse.

[Bored&Stroked]

Can't tell much . . . but it doesn't look like a 32 from the angle pic?

[rich b]

@rotorwrench Some DIY guys can do nice axles.

There is another dago axle on the deuce in the background; an old chrome one to boot.

[petehoovie]

Originally Posted by rich b

@rotorwrench Some DIY guys can do nice axles.

There is another dago axle on the deuce in the background; an old chrome one to boot.