History Axle(But not Spring)In Front Of Grille Shell

I've seen countless old photos of "Suicide" axles/springs mounted in front of the grille shell. But what about the axle alone up front, with the spring in the standard place under the radiator, mounted to the bones? I know a lot of guys do it now, but I'm looking for vintage examples. Anyone?

 

Example:
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=1741728&d=1347830305

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=1741730&d=1347830330

 

Maybe I'm wrong but those don't look real vintage. Were those cars built long ago?

 

Well, it didn't have the axle in front of the grille, but the spring was hung behind the axle on Doane's roadster.

 

Those are modern examples.

 

The first one is Eyeballs car built a decade ago.

 

My car was done similar to this one below.....spring in the stock crossmember with Ford perches mounted to the wishbones to push the axle forward to get a little lower.....however I kept my frame horns and notchd them...

 

This seems to be popularised as a modern trend. If it was used in the 40s to 60s it was the exception rather than the rule. I am sure there are a few vintage examples out there, Sylvester III 1932 roadster is one car that had axle out front but it used torsion bars.

Norm Grabowski and Tommy Ivo used cut down '40 spring in front hangers flipped behind the axle. This setup utilised exposed suicide mount with cut down grille.

 

I agree with Jimmy B, I think this mostly a modern trend. Not dogging on it but just saying I think it wasn't a popular modification.

 

didn't both Grabowski's and Ivo's T's use late spring perches reversed to put the spring behind?

 

Grabowski's spring was in front of the shell, behind the axle

As was Ivo's

 

Ah yes of course

 

Mine:

It's a 40s front axle, spindles and split dog leg wishbones. I drilled holes horizontally through the wishbones and set prong perches in those holes then tacked them in once I determined how deep they needed to go in where they met the spring shackles (at proper angle). Once everything checked out I finish welded the perches to the bones and cut the opposite sides of the perches off. I don't have any road time yet but the front suspension is plenty supple and I think theres enough flex in the setup to avoid cracking.


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Nice work.

 

X2, very nice Devin. Do you have a build thread? I'd like to see more.

 

What's your take on this George? New ****?

 

Here's one, albeit a tube, not i-beam.

 

Richard, I know you've seen my spring behind, axle out front, but its under construction now, not vintage. Still, there are the photos you posted along with many others that will give you more ideas. Larry (Blue One) is building a cool one too! Click the link below for mine...



'27 T Roadster build: http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=734383

 

I've been wanting to do a build thread for almost 10 years lol. My car is still not finished, glaciers move faster. I am rounding the corner and will do an official thread then to keep everyone's interest.


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I have my '33 set up that way.

 

Is there a build thread on here of the second car pictured?

 

Mk1, I just reposted it to see if we could find it.



'27 T Roadster build: http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=734383

 

Thanks!

Michael

 

If you look close you will see Tommy AND Norm both, took the axle turned it completely around with wishbones facing forward, THEN cut them off, ground them smooth. plated the works. By turning them around the spring perches were facing rearward. Used tierods shortened for their 4 bar front end.

Ivo and Norm both used a Ford V-8 60, tube axle with a stock spring.

Wish I could ask Norm why he was under the car like that , in the above picture, he heard a different drum, fer sure..

I always heard a suicide front end was when the tie rod was in front of the axle, Got BENT !!! meant sure death,, and I am 70 yrs old.

 

Why would Doane use LEFT spindles on both side of his car? Old men, pray tell me..








" dropped axles make me smile"

 

Why would Doane use LEFT spindles on both side of his car? Old men, pray tell me..


Was wondering the same thing............ I can't see any reason why he would do that.

 

This may well be one of the fairly common cases of shaky reporting, something taken down incorrectly and published.
I don't have any late truck parts books handy...but from memory I think left and right F-1 spindles were the same, with separate bolt on steering arms. They identical until the arms went on, making this meaningless if my memory is correct.

 

Not vintage, but here's my project.

 

I just happen to be working with a set of F1 spindles,(I'd take pictures but I already cut the steering arms/mounts off.) The right spindle has the steering arm as part of the spindle forging, the left arm has a removable steering arm that is sort of like a huge bolt that p***es threw the bottom of the spindle. this arm could be inserted from either side. to use it on either side of the car. If I were to venture a guess of why they would do this I would say it was for symitry(sp?) rather than having two spindles that look mismatched.

 

BETCHA THAT'S IT , WANNA IT SYMMETRICAL, Yep bet that's it.. Thanks


beatin' this thing to death: I betcha he bolted same type of steering arms in those holes for his tie rod to go to, in the picture, both sides seem to have a washer and a nut/or bolt. ( if one side bolted on, he wanted them both to bolt on...)

Some body get a hold of Doane and ask him......?