Technical Shortening’36 rods

What’s the best way to shorten’36 rear radius rods? Can you grind the weld off by the axle mount, remove some length and then re weld it?
Using them on an aftermarket 32 frame

 

I’d cut at the metal joint and metal forging. Reweld there.

 

Getting old, there's been a couple threads on here showing how to shorten and strengthen 36 bones. One was by a HAMBer 117harv that does a lot of high end polishing.

 

Forging.

Why not shorten at the front? Still using a torque tube?

 

Yeah, I’d shorten them at the front if necessary. Less leverage up there in case your weld isn’t as good as Henry’s.

 

I'm with Alchemy . . . shorten the fronts.

 

^^^^
And if you can chop off ~4" at the front you can then use those offcut stubs as lower rear shock mountings.

 

Why shorten. Can’t you just move the mounting tab on the torque tube. I’m using stock length ‘41 rods on my ‘32

 

Def shorten the front as there is less mechanical advantage from the diff at that end.

If you are using bungs for tie rod ends then you should be able to just shorten them way up, cut and taper the tube so it matches the bung OD and call it a day.

If you are keeping the stock ends here is what I have done:

• cut the end off ~4" from the stock welded seam
• use a mill or bandsaw to cut a vertical 1/4" wide slot ~3" down the cut off piece and ~3" down the wishbone (make sure these slots line up)
• use a 6" piece of 1/4" plate steel and put it into the the slot, weld it on the top and bottom, and then grind it down so you won't see it later

I don't have any pics of the wishbones but here is one I did on a Model A brake cross-shaft which is the same principle. It works great and is super strong.