I am trying to decipher the "perfect" dropped axle for my 36 pickup. I had Sid drop my original stock 36 axle, but I have heard this may cause some interference. No biggie, I can use it on a roadster build, when I decide to finally do one. The axle I have in the Produce truck is 46" from center to center. I like the way it looks, but I would like to use a Ford axle and I am afraid it may be too wide. I guess a stock 37-41 axle would be about the closest. This would built to mimic a period correct, late 50's show truck. Trying to decide if I need to get a set of 37-41 bones and axle. It will all be polished and chromed, so it needs to be right from the beginning. I'm not looking for super low, since most of the little books I have researched shows a minimal drop. This is what Sid has on his website. 1933-36 FORD DROPPED AXLE ORIGINAL AXLE MEASUREMENTS 50-1/2" Kingpin Center to Center 36-1/2" Spring Perch Center to Center 2" Spring Perch Boss 2" to 2-1/4" Factory Drop .8125 dia. Kingpin Top Axle: Stock Original Axle 50-1/2" Kp to Kp Bottom Dropped Axle: 4" Total Drop Non Stretch 48-1/2" Kp to Kp 1937-41 FORD DROPPED AXLE ORIGINAL AXLE MEASUREMENTS 48-1/2" Kingpin Center to Center (top) 38-1/2" Spring perch Center to Center 2-1/4 Spring Perch Boss 2-1/8" Factory drop .8125 Kingpin dia. Top axle: 4" Total Drop not stretched 46-1/2" Kp to Kp Middle Dropped Axle: Stock original Axle 48-1/2" Kp to Kp Bottom Dropped Axle: 4" Total Drop stretched 48-1/2" Kp to Kp Just thinking out loud. I have a M2 in the box, but I can't bring myself to use it. Pathetic, I know. It just doesn't seem right.
A nice 33-36 axle dropped with a 4 inch drop is perfect for a 35-40 car or pu. From my days of doing stock ch***is 35-40 Fords it's the 35/36 wishbone spring hangers that are the culprit. There can be tire rub with these bones. I always switched them out for 37-40 bones which give more clearance. It's not always a problem but can be. Also the Vintage Ch***is/CE 47 inch forged axle reintroduced by P&J's is a good one but requires some custom parts.
The 36 axle has a narrower space between the perches, so that axle can be dropped and narrowed more than the 40 axle/wishbone combo. Just make sure your dropper knows you want a narrow axle, and to not stretch it outward as it drops. I think the 36 you have will be the best option of the stock Ford axles.
If you don't mind custom working your wishbones, and probably spring main leaf lengths, you could go with the CE/P&J axle for a nice combo. But I'd bet that axle is also right around 46" wide. I'd think your 46" wide dropped axle in a space that used to have a 50" axle would fit the tires nicely under the fenders. You aren't running 50 series on some deep slots are ya?
No. I usually run a 550-15 or a 165 15. I used a CE 4” dropped axle and a Posies reversed eye spring with 40 bones on the Produce truck. It rides fair, but I think it could be better. It rubs on the fenders when I turn hard. The 36 axle has a shorter spacing I believe. It’s 2” vs 2-1/4” on 37-41. Also, I thought the bones in the 37-41 gave an extra inch of drop over the 33-36 axles.
yes, i believe they do on my `36 i have a Superbell 47-3/4 wide axle with the `33-`36 perch centers of 36-1/2" and have `37-`41 wishbones. that requires a narrow spring which Posie's makes
Did Sid stretch the axle when he dropped it? Are you splitting the bones? What and where is the interference are you worried about?
I don’t know, I had him drop it probably 5 years ago. The bones will be split. The interference is the perches I have heard.
not sure , i think that is all Superbell offered back then? i built the ch***is 20 years ago. with F-100 brakes and 15 X 6 wheels with 165R15 tires i have no problems. it's the car on the right in my avatar. the car on the left has the exact same ch***is setup, same size tires, but with different wheels
Pretty easy to measure the king pin to king pin length. You have several items to address. First is , are you using the stock mechanical brakes and if so, you will need to fabricate new brackets to allow for the drop. What spindles are you using? You will have to get after market dropped spindle arms or bend your arms for clearance. By splitting the bones, it will change the length between the spring hangars and you will need a spring about one inch shorter and you will have to bend the hangars so they're parallel again. Another option is to pie cut the bones behind the axle and bend them out to maintain the spring hangar position. You might get some ideas here; https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/35-ford-pickup-austin-speed-shop-build.986187/
I drove the 36 to high school. It has been rebuilt twice, this is the third time. This time I want quality. All the other years I was raising kids, putting them through college etc. Now they are gone, It's my turn. I will be running either Lincoln brakes or F250 style. The bones on the 36 axle were split and brought out to the side of the frame. Now, that I look back, that just puts everything in a bind. I will most likely use an after market axle, just due to the ease. My old Ford axle have been whacked a few times. Sid straightened it out, but it still shows some wear. I will be running a Cadillac power plant, with a stick and probably a 1957 Ford rear end. For all practical purposes I want it to appear that it has been a preserved show car from 1958. Oh and that 35 they built in Austin is really nice. I have that thread bookmarked.
Possibly you need to work backwards; start with desired wheels positioned under your fenders. Determine the wheel to wheel dimension. The brakes you mentioned are about 3-1/4" to the spindle flange and it is about 1-5/8" from flange to the king pin center of early Ford spindles, added together and multiplied is 9-3/4", subtract that from your desired wheel position number and and you get the axle width you need. Then you need to figure out if the wheels will turn without rubbing. Aesthetics vs practicality. My '35 the tires are are little too far under to my eye; but I can turn corners and get up my driveway, which counts, too.
Thanks Rich. I'll probably be talking to you in the near future about a set of your brakes. How wide is your axle? The pickups are a little more forgiving on tire placement.
It is a "bought a long time go" 47" Ch***is Eng axle. I have F-1 brakes, '37-'40 bones, and a Posies low reversed eye spring.
The Jalopy Journal
