Projects 1929 Model a suspension

Im starting my first 1929 Model a build so im trying to do as much reasearch as posssible im looking for opinions on this front suspension kit or suggestions on a different route.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1928-1931-F...d=172059653987&_trksid=p2045573.c100033.m2042

 

It is a dangerous piece of crap.
It is cheap for a reason.
It is a Hoffman Group product.
Search Hoffman here and you will find all the negative you need.

BTW this is the second question about this ebay ad in mmm, the past few weeks.

 

try.......... Chassis Engineering, Speedway Motors or So Cal your looking for a forged axle. You can consider finding an original Ford axle and have it dropped or watch the classifieds for one. Avoid cheap when its the bit that keeps you alive (suspension, brakes, steering,tyres)

 

If you are building this car to keep, like most of us on the hamb, then you'd use your Model A axles, sent to Okie Joe for dropping etc, and round or squareback spndles w/drum brakes.
Buy the Bishop-Tardel book, 'How to Build a Model A Hot Rod' it is considered the bible and will help you.

 

How low do you want it? This is with a stock, undropped '36 front axle and a 2" drop spring and a notched front crossmember. I actually raised it 1/2" to keep my tires from rubbing. I have 5.50X16 front tires, with 5.00X16 tires and no shims the front would be almost an inch lower than this.

 

I like this stance but I'm not sure of how big of a drop it is and I'm shooting for more of a clean/hot rod look.

 

Thanks for the input guys I'll look into getting the book.

 

I like the stock model A axle "smile", so I like the OEM axle, leaves removed and reversed eye spring, dropped spindles,

 

I used 99% original Ford products on my '29. The only non Ford item is the main leaf, I bought a new Chassis Engineering reversed eye. 1936 Ford axle, '32 spindles & spring perches, Model A brakes, king pins and shackles.

 

Hello, Im Jim, I hope I am doing this right, this is my first time posting on a forum. I have just acquired a 1929 Model A. The car appears to sit too low, the from tires rub on the fenders with turning sharp. It has 14" tires on the front with 15" tires on the rear. I want to fix the rubbing problem and attempt to level the car height. it appears that a drop spring was installed at some point. I found a company that sells springs that are original height and also springs that raise the front of the car 1" or 2". will lifting the front end affect the handling of the car or damage the suspension. It appears to have the original frame with friction shocks and original tie rods. I am also thinking of upgrading to piston shocks and new tie rods, king pins and steering box. Any thoughts??

 

Jim, you might be the only guy that says he wants his hot rod to sit level. It looks to me like you have a rather beefy tire on the front, and may want to research a narrower tire to prevent the rubbing. Simpler than switching suspension components. If you can send us clear pics of the front suspension and tire we might be able to help further.

 

Hey there @Jimmie Pugh, I'm going to second what @alchemy said. Let's consider the wheels and tires before replacing parts, and also investigate what all has already been done to your suspension.

Hot rod guys will tell you, wheels and stance are everything. Here's a link to a great thread for researching this. Your 15-inch rear/14-inch front combo is unusual. I think most Model A hotrodders run 16- or 17-inch (sometimes a mix of the two), and also different sized tires. For example, my current '29 project will have 6.00x16 front and 7.50xx16 rear (just bought them. Ouch!) Guys with fenders will sometimes go as low as 5.50 or 5.00 on the front for clearance.

For your car, a bigger wheel/tire in the rear would resolve the odd-looking (to my eye) gap between tire and fender (my dad's coupe had that and I always disliked it, but that's just me):


As for the fronts, what size are those tires? A high-profile 14-inch tire can actually be taller than, say, a 5.00x16. That could be part of your clearance issue.

Tell us about your suspension. You say the spring has been altered. Is it a reverse-eye spring, have leaves been removed, or both? I suppose it could be too low for a fendered car, especially if you also have a dropped axle. But pictures will tell us a lot. Changing the spring shouldn't "damage" the suspension, unless you introduce some kind of bind.

You mention other changes, like kingpins and shocks. Are you by any chance experiencing weird front suspension issues that make you think these are a problem? I'm referring to "Death Wobble," where the front-end will spontaneously shake violently. You have a split wishbone, which can exacerbate this (at least, some believe this; I run them).

I'm all for tube shocks (again, I run them), and they fit the vibe of your build. If the kingpins and/or tie-rod ends are worn, they must be replaced. This is not a matter of opinion. They are huge contributors to Death Wobble issues.

Why do you want to change the steering box? Is it giving you problems? We should also establish what box you have. Here again, a picture will help. It's very common to upgrade the box when installing a V8 with headers. I can't see the steering column in your engine bay; maybe it's just the picture, or maybe it's been altered.

Finally, as this is your first post, let me say welcome to the Hamb. I hope you will respond with additional pictures. This will show everyone you are serious, and not the usual one-and-done posters we see. Many knowledgable commenters may be holding back, not wanting to invest time in helping somebody who will disappear. Me, I had some free time, so I took a chance. Don't let me down!

Incidentally, you have already passed a key test by pressing the "full image" button when you posted your pictures.

 

If your car is to low, you could add spacers on top of the front spring. As mentioned, pictures of your front end will help.

 

Actually it was pretty common to run the 14”/15” on street rods in the 80’s&90’s. The issue with the front is most likely the use of a stock Model A axle that was dropped and then an aftermarket disc brake kit with pushed the track width out. Usually why they run aftermarket dropped axles such as a super bell with narrower width. Should post some photos of your suspension so we can see what you actually have. Hot Rods are suppose to have rake to them, that’s the look.