History Looking for history-Vintage commercially built 40 Ford Front coil spring conversion.

I ask because there will no longer be a triangle that moves as a complete unit. Just as in a single axle with split bones, there will be twisting of the axle/axles. How will this compare?

 

Thanks for the explaination! I was thinking it was an IFS conversion. [the other postings of swing axles added to the confusion. And I didn't look properly]

The springs themselves will need to be quite stiff because of the motion ratio.

 

There is still just one single axle, just the same as the stock setup. This setup does nothing whatsoever to the axle of the vehicle. What you are seeing in the OP's pictures are spring support bars, not an axle. The axle is not pictured in any of his pictures.

This setup replaces the leaf spring with a pair of coil springs. That is all.

 

^^^^^
Ok I see it now sorry. I was thinking of that English independent suspension and that this was a mash up of sorts.

 

Took me longer than I care to admit to see that it wasn't some kind of IFS.
I take it this coil spring system would divorce the spring and lateral control that the leaf spring would normally have to do.
Which in turn would improve handling predictability, as much as one could with a solid front axle.
Although with tire technology of the time, it may/maynot have been noticeable.

 

I got it now also


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Oh, NOW I get it! Honestly, now that I understand how it works, it's even weirder.

 

Maybe it's a cool old conversion, but is it suited to a hot rod highboy roadster? You'd have to cut those coils in half for it to sit decent. Would it ride OK?

 

I'd like to read feedback from folks who have actually driven a car with this setup fitted.
I'd also would like to see how the steering and tie rod work.
I feel that it could be difficult to set up right for camber (depending on weight) and that much camber changing would be occurring during travel.
As mentioned earlier I am also interested to see how the triangulation works.
I could see those arms being made in aluminium which would help a little.

That company up in Portland OR (was it Steve's) which produced 1934 Ford bodies made, a batch run of 20 1934 Ford retro roadsters with a similar front suspension setup if anybody has pic's of that, it may add to the discussion.

 

There won't be any camber change as there is no change to the axle; the tie rod and drag link will function the same as stock for the same reason.

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Alright, now get to working! I wanna see this on the road!

 

That heavy wishbone looks like the ones on 30s Ford 1.5 ton trucks.

 

I beg to differ and want a 2nd opinion on camber...

 

One more time .
It uses a stock axle since the kit only replaces the transverse spring. So all caster and camber characteristics of the stock axle remain.

Seems like A LOT of problem causing solutions to non problematic issues. The cure is worse than the disease. Like increasing the unsprung weight. Adding more parts to simple set up.

 

Tim is going to have springs made (AFCO)
He found this set up and really wants to run it.

He has a couple hot rod builds under his belt, several Harley-Davidson and Indian restorations.

He really want to find it's full history.

 

How is it possible to ensure the camber is set correct from the start.
A solid axle has camber built in and it never changes except if bent.
The setup we are talking about, how do you ensure camber is perfect from the out set.
It seems to me weight variation will cause axles to rise or fall changing the camber on both wheels.
I don't see that as being a good design using such short axle lengths...

 

.......Are you still under the impression that this employs a split axle?

 

The axle is not split the coils and arms just replace the buggy spring.


Click Here I explain how it works.

 

Just remember every idea is not a good idea . If it works, you would think it would still be manufactured. Good luck.
I hope it works. Would be a lot of work to have to redo everything if it didn't.

 

I am failing to see why everyone is so sure this set up will not work.
Yes, there is the chance of more chassis (body) roll, but this can be over come with the use of a swaybar bar, which Ford was running sometime in the 40's buggy spring cars


What I am looking for is history of this part.

 

^^^^^ Unfortunately starting a tread can be like opening a can of worm's some times. Be patient.

 

most posters are not getting that the 2 beams are NOT the axle!!!!If you could post a photo with the axle in place ,it would clear up the confusion.[took me a while to realize it too]

 

P.S. looks like a dropped axle would still work with this set up

 

Sure a dropped axle will work. I do think a sway bar would be helpful, but not pretty. I bet tuning the spring rates to get the ride height and ride will take a couple tries, but go for it. They would unbolt in an hour to switch out, then try the new ones.

Interesting setup, keep us posted on the progress.

 

OK, I got it now.
Can't say I like any better, but would like to know how well it did/does ride.
I think it was Steve's Auto Restorations that did something similar and I am pretty sure it was in aluminium and coils were attached to a 90 degree lever system to avoid the tower effect...

Still hoping somebody will know where a pic can be found to post.

 

@Roadster1929 posted this, I Googled Automotive-Hold Products Co. No luck nothing came up.

 

I was giving an example, I don't think Tim wants to do this.

I think it is a cool set up, but not something I would run. Again it's not my car; it's his.
I am putting a 261 Chevy 6 with an early Ford transmission in a Model A sedan am sure there are many who wouldn't do that.

 

I've never had a buggy sprung car. When one side of the spring is pushed upward (bump or corner) does the other side try to go down, or pivot on the center mount even though solidly bolted? The separate coils would eliminate that, maybe.

 

If it is patented, it should be recorded with the US Patent office
I've failed in my searches

 

A transverse spring does not work that way. Ford's version of the transverse spring has the middle of the leaf solidly anchored to the crossmember. It functions as to separate quarter elliptic springs.