Projects Front Axle Question

Its a long long boring story, so I'll save you the details and just ask.

I want to swap out these two axles on my 35 Chevy Standard. The stock axle is 28" from center spring perch to center spring perch. The axle I want on my car is 26 3/4" from center spring perch to center spring perch. It's a stupid idea to widen the axle, right?
Any ideas? Are "offset mounts" a thing? Are they available anywhere? Do I need to make them myself?

 

A picture would help. That's only 5/8" each side. Is there enough material to redrill the center hole and elongate the u bolt holes?

 

I’ve heard on this board of folks shortening axles, but never widening them.
Can the spring mounts be moved in, changed, etc.

 

I did see WELDERUP of Las Vegas widen an axle, he used 2 to make one , for the" JOKER"

 

I don’t know if I know what I’m talking about but I’m pretty sure the dimensions you show would narrow the axle not widen it? If you have fenders, widening the axle will create tire/fender complications for turning, especially if your front end is lowered (I did it by mistake and had to start over, took a lot of time and a lot of money). You can always use spacers to widen the track if your axle is too narrow but you can’t do anything if the axle is too wide.

 

Stock axle is 28” and you want 26.75? Even with my high school math I can tell that 26.75 is less then 28

 

It also looks goofy with the tires sticking out of the fenders (if you have fenders)

 

I think you have it backwards. His is 28, he wants to use the one that’s 26.75.

 

I wonder if with some thought, offsetting the spring mounts, or hangers could be used? The hangers would have to be of heavier material I’d think with a “s” bend, and longer pin bolts used.
OP might not be back though.

 

Pics

 

How about shifting the spring mounts on the frame? Maybe just one end? What's the OAL difference in the axles? Re-drill the axle pads?

 

That's what I was thinking. Parallel leaf springs don't necessarily HAVE to be exactly parallel

 

The important question is what is the kingpin to kingpin measurement. Wouldn’t want to widen the axle just for the spring mounts if it makes the kingpin distance wider.

 

Make a pad/ block from 1 in stock drill the top for spring center pin , make lower center pin to you measurement from Allen head bolt , attach bu drilling and tapping 1 in block . I have done many Chebbie rears this way to center wheel in the fender .

 

Here is some information from the GM Heritage center https://www.gm.com/heritage/archive/vehicle-information-kits ) information packet 1935, https://www.gm.com/content/dam/comp...information-kits/chevrolet/1935-Chevrolet.pdf . Look up the axle you want to use and see how it compares.

 

My thoughts exactly.

 

He didn't say anything about axle width. The spring perch width is what he needs to change, not axle width.
If I was doing this I'd consider making an adapter plate to bolt to the axle spring perch and then have centering pin hole, and new holes in that plate that are 5/8" off from that to allow the springs to stay located as they are. It will need to be at least 3/8"-1/2" thick plate, so it's going to slightly change front stance/height.