I am starting to build a 28-29 Ford Model A High-boy coupe with narrow steel rims. Wanting the car to look more traditional I will have the rear end attached with a leaf spring style set up. I am planning using a chevy rear axle and front rotors. What cars or truck axles should I look for?
A Chevy-GMC 1/2 ton from '55 to '59 looks good. Jack Dooney of Mesa, AZ used one in his Kookie tribute T-Bucket. You'll have to go back into the late '80s Hot Rod Magazine archives to see the feature article. It looked good!
A first gen Camaro rear would be about the right width for that. its the same basic size as a mustang 9 inch and is much easier to find.
Let me see if I understand. You want a traditional rearend, buggy spring ? or parallel leafs? Chevy front axle? with disc brake rotors? Lets clarify this much and go from there. Tim BTW...welcome to the Hamb.
Will be using ford model a straight front axle, 37-40 ford spindles, and split wish bones. Speedway motors disc brake conversion on the front. On the rear would like to run buggy spring style with 36-39 ford style radius rods. just didn't know if I could use a s-10 rear axle or maybe something out a 78-87 El Camino .
On hotrods with welded suspension tabs, ect I like to do something with a 3rd member or banjo , it makes the " mechanical" piece easy to replace and all your brackets stay with the car.. 9" is really the way to go for ease and parts availability , the right widths can still be bought used fairly reasonable... It does take searching though.. I got a few 55-64 Chevy rears for free and used those but 100.00 per wheel bearing it became more expensive than the stronger 9"
Everyone thinks a 9 inch rear is a must.. 8 inch rears can also be found easy , sometimes in narrower width an will handle most horsepower under 400 horse. Usually less money than 9 inch and use as heavy of axles.
It all depends on location on that one.. I have heard guys say they are stacked like cord wood in their area and guys that tell me Impossible to find in others , 8" I believe had a limited run in mustangs and Granada , m-2, where 9"ers were used from 1957 in many different cars trucks into late 70s , not to mention the aftermarket industry caters almost exclusively to them ... Lots of production 9" are in that 58-61" area which is good for a fender less hotrod I agree though ...if you find a good 8" under 150.00 I'd use that... Unless you find a 9" for the same price
For me it was important to put a package together that functions the way I want, and looks good/right in the process. I run front discs on my 31 Pontiac. It run's 115 in the quarter so I like the stopping power. Most folks look at the hemi and never mention the disk brakes. That said, don't let the formula guys put you in a box. Read a bunch of old Hot Rod mags and you'll see a bit of everything. It's your car, build it your way, but do give thought to how it all comes together. JMO but a rearend with a removable third member presents a nicer look, and is easier to work on as has been mentioned. Ford 8 and 9 inch rears can be built cheaper than most others that fall in this category.
How about a roundback 9-incher with a quick change center section grafted on for "the look" with the functionality and practicality of the niner.
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