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Hot Rods Model A Front Axle

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by Model A Guy, Feb 3, 2017.

  1. Model A Guy
    Joined: Jul 9, 2008
    Posts: 57

    Model A Guy
    Member

    How is the front axle measured. Measuring from king pin to king pin I get 52" on my 29 Tudor. Looking on line at adds for a dropped axle ,they are recommending a 46" axle . That seems too narrow. Does anyone have any suggestions on this?
     
    Fordors likes this.
  2. a 46" axle would allow for disc brakes and wider wheels/tires under the stock front fenders

    what are your plans?
     
  3. alchemy
    Joined: Sep 27, 2002
    Posts: 22,110

    alchemy
    Member

    Many newer brake kits will space the wheel farther out than stock. So you'll need a couple inches there. And most guys will use a tire that's wider than stock, so there's a couple inches there, too. And most aftermarket wheels have more offset than stock, so theres an inch or two. And hot rods usually look better if the tires are slightly inward on the fender than out at the edge, so means a 46" axle will probably be about right. Right?

    If you are using stock '40 Ford brakes and wheels on your A it will probably still be an inch or two wider than the stock A parts.
     
  4. Check out the Posies rod and custom site. It shows a range of axles and how they are measured. Two measurements are important, the kingpin centre to centre, and the Spring perch centre to centre. I needed to increase the front track on my 31 (in Australia track front to rear has to be within a certain range). So I am changing my 46" tube to a SoCal 47" "new traditionalist" IBeam. 47" through the kingpins but still has the narrower Spring perch centres. This will give me 1 inch greater track but keep the four bars etc in the same location. I have run two separate disc fronts on the car (magnum and Speedway) and the wheels are still well inside my front fenders.
     
  5. Mark T
    Joined: Feb 19, 2007
    Posts: 2,140

    Mark T
    Member

    Just have the original axle dropped.

    I think a dropped Ford axle looks better than anything that can be purchased new.
     
    doliak, Texas Webb and 117harv like this.
  6. mkubacak
    Joined: Jun 20, 2005
    Posts: 260

    mkubacak
    Member

    Give Okie Joe a call. He can help you figure out what you need and drop it as much as you want.
     
    Texas Webb likes this.
  7. Both good info.Joe did mine and it looks great.
     
  8. Model A Guy
    Joined: Jul 9, 2008
    Posts: 57

    Model A Guy
    Member

    So what I am getting from this is: if I were to put a disc brake kit on a stock width axle the wheels might be too far out. I do plan on putting discs on. If I were to have my stock axle dropped woundn't that shorten it up a lot?
     
  9. yes, it would some...maybe to 48"-49" depending on who and how it was dropped

    what you need to do is tell us ALL your plans....fenders? what wheels? what are the wheels offset? what tires? etc?
     
  10. Model A Guy
    Joined: Jul 9, 2008
    Posts: 57

    Model A Guy
    Member

    Well I do have a full fendered car and plan to use them.I will probably run a 5 spoke bullit type wheel as I have acess to them from my mustangs.So far the body will be stock but I want it to sit right ( not sky high like it does w/ the orig 21" wheels). By the way I appreciate all the views you guys are giving me.
     
  11. my `28 tudor has a 47-3/4" Superbell axle, F-100 brakes , 155sr15 tires on 4-1/2 wide X 15 American wheels with 2-1/8 backspacing and 3-3/8 front space

    f100 brakes will not stick the wheels out as far as most disc brake kits

    i may be bias , but i think i got it right

    you will have to do some figuring as to what works for you
     

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    Last edited: Feb 4, 2017
  12. Model A Guy
    Joined: Jul 9, 2008
    Posts: 57

    Model A Guy
    Member

    36-3wndo ,I noticed even with running narrow tires and rims your front wheel well is close.I will have to rethink using bullit wheels as they are 17 x 8(probably much too big).If I go w/ AR wheels I can order almost any size and back space. Your car does indeed sit right . Is your axle dropped from stock?
     
  13. 4 inch dropped Superbell axle 47-3/4" center to center on the kingpins

    yes, those wheels at 17 X 8 would be a bit big
     
  14. Mark T
    Joined: Feb 19, 2007
    Posts: 2,140

    Mark T
    Member

    Thunderbirdesq here on the HAMB also drops axles, he did a '33-'34 axle for me and it turned out great.

    Hot Rod Deluxe just featured him in the magazine, a nice article about him dropping axles. Here is a link to the article; http://www.hotrod.com/articles/guys-drop-hot-rod-axles-old-fashioned-way/

    Give him a call and tell him what your looking for, I'm pretty sure that he can adjust the width while dropping the axle.

    Here is his contact info;
    Andy Kohler
    Williamsport PA.
    570-494-7362

    You can also check out his work on instagram, search
    ''kohlerkustom''
     

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