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Technical 1954 front suspension in a 1937 Chevrolet coupe/sloper

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by Kustchops, Nov 15, 2021.

  1. Kustchops
    Joined: Dec 1, 2002
    Posts: 689

    Kustchops
    Member

    I have used 1954 front suspension under a 1948 coupe it worked great, well technically 1949 to 1954 crossmembers and components are close. So anyway I am thinking of using a 1954 front under the Sloper, and using a early sixties truck box swapped from the left outside rail to the right inside rail, reverse the pitman arm for proper rear steer as it was front originally. So here comes the Technical question I want to do a cross steer do any of you suspension gurus have input on this. Or do want to run a idler arm. IMG_3530.JPG My past experience is with vega cross on a model A pretty basic over the counter stuff.
     

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  2. Mr48chev
    Joined: Dec 28, 2007
    Posts: 35,978

    Mr48chev
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    The simple way would be to use the stock center pivot for the Tie rod and replace the right side tie rod with a custom one using a tie rod end like a Jeep CJ 5 and some other models have for cross steer.
    I Jeep tie rod end.jpg

    NOTE: post changed to be relevant with what the original question was.

    Because I woke up and figured out that you are doing it right hand drive you might be able to run a short drag link to the center pivot arm on the stock linkage. No up and down movement there to deal with and you don't have to figure out how to get the drag link past that pivot. I'm thinking that there are some Toyota pickup boxes that place the sector shaft to the outside of the frame in a left hand drive rig and the gear over the frame that moved to the right hand side would put the sector shaft to the inside and the box on top of the rail.

    54 car front suspension. (3)_LI.jpg Jeep tie rod end.jpg
     
    Last edited: Nov 15, 2021
  3. Dan Hay
    Joined: Mar 16, 2007
    Posts: 6,454

    Dan Hay
    Member

    My 38 coupe has a 39-48 front suspension bolted in. I think the only difference from 48-54 was the spindle design, and they did away with the lever shock upper control arm.

    As for the steering question: I'll have to crawl under there and see the setup. It has a power box and a home made drag link/tierod situation.
     
  4. Kustchops
    Joined: Dec 1, 2002
    Posts: 689

    Kustchops
    Member

    The 1946 48 track width is 57.5 and the 1954 is 56.5 aprox, the 1937 master is 56.4 and deluxe 57.3 dubonet. So the 1954 will give me an inch narrower and they sit a bit higher in the frame for a lower stance. I will use the 60's truck box on the inside of the right rail, the vega and corvair is too light.
     
  5. Kustchops
    Joined: Dec 1, 2002
    Posts: 689

    Kustchops
    Member

    I am curious how yours is done. It sounds like what I am going for.
     
  6. Dan Hay
    Joined: Mar 16, 2007
    Posts: 6,454

    Dan Hay
    Member

    I'll try to get some pictures tonight.
     
  7. Kustchops
    Joined: Dec 1, 2002
    Posts: 689

    Kustchops
    Member

    Interesting idea, cutting the arm off, I did forget to say I am using the truck box on the right rail as I am keeping the car right hand drive.
     
  8. Mr48chev
    Joined: Dec 28, 2007
    Posts: 35,978

    Mr48chev
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Well I am flat busted for thinking up an answer before reading all the way though your first post.

    I edited the post to be more relevant.

    The jeep style tie rod end should work with the Chevy box if you want to run the drag link across to the left wheel. They get used a lot on Fords that guys stick cross steer in when they don't have the steering arm with the extra hole for a drag link.

    Going to the center as I suggested by putting a hole in the cut off arm for a tie rod end and using a short drag link might be simpler in the long run. There is no up and down to deal with there so no bump steer.
     
  9. Kustchops
    Joined: Dec 1, 2002
    Posts: 689

    Kustchops
    Member

    Yep you nailed it, Thanks for the help. I am also using early 60' truck rear trailing arm for rear suspension, I have also used it many times, those I beams are bulletproof.
     

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