Crown Vic crossmember install/Rear Truck arm install

Many factory vehicles, particularly those with rear-wheel drive, feature an offset pinion shaft. This means the centerline of the pinion gear is not centered in the differential housing, but rather shifted to the p***enger side. The offset is a common practice in domestic vehicles from Ford, GM, and Chrysler for various reasons, including engine and transmission placement, steering column fitment, and maximizing cabin space.

 

We are using the rails we have , so I am working on that. The string is within a heavy 1/16 th from one end to the other. So this looks to be a good start.

 

I spent some time cleaning up the shop and pulled another string down the right side. All is good, both sides are within a heavy 16th of an inch front to rear. Ignore all the temporary crossmembers , hopefully I can keep things straight when I put the heat to it . As a added bonus the cab is dead even on both sides, all though it is hard to see that in the photos.

 

I have not found a lot of info on Truck arm installation methods. I do have some friends I will call on as I get ready to build the crossmember. I came across this photo on the web for what it is worth. I was in a shop the other day but the cars sit so low that was of no help because you can't see up under them. Here is the article https://www.hotrod.com/how-to/ctrp-0712-racing-driveshafts-101/

 

As for the t/a install... American Rodder did a nice article, iirc, on a t/a install, & the reason(s) to use one. ~1990->1996-ish? I looked at my available(whole) mags, & I don't have that issue. I stripped the article out years ago, but don't know which box it's in, nor where it is at the moment. Hopefully someone else can find it & get you a copy. *If* I do find it before you need it, I could text the pics to you. There was also an article(ad/editorial/"feature"/advertorial) from Street Rodder(?) by the HotRods from Hell???, but it didn't get too technical, iirc. There are 2 different oem length arms, depending on wheelbase, but they both converge about the same distance apart, just after/over/around the front u-joint. Factory crossmember was fairly stout, w/simple "U" brackets that were angled(& just riveted to the crossmember) to match the arms' angles off of the rear axle tubes. I have one in storage I could photograph & measure, iffen it'd help. Would need your ph# in a PM. Proper articulation requires it be as close to the u-joint as possible. Factory(chevy/gmc pu) used the ubiquitous steel-encased rubber bushing in the front of each arm, which gave good service & needed flexibility. If you want better, use Johnny-Joints from Currie(I think) for the off-road 4x4 guys. Late 40's(iirc) Buick was similar tech, but different bushings & mountings.
Marcus...

 

Thanks for the offer Marcus,
But I was at a shop yesterday and picked up the brackets I need for the front mounts and the saddles for the axle housing and got my questions answered.

 

Good. That makes life easier. .
Marcus...

 

We got the frame rails welded together with nothing moving, get some thoughts together on the crossmember, the axle housing needs about 3 inches taken out of the drivers side. Maybe another week or so ! 28 spline axles , I was hoping for 31. ( working on a budget )

 

I got all the brackets cut off the housing, stripped it down to make it easier to handle. Got the wheelbase within a 1/16 of an inch and welded the housing in place ( it is at ride Hight ) and got the Truck arms set in place, we'll be ridin in a week !

 

I have a good start on the crossmember for the truck arms to mount to, still a ways to go.

 

Great work. You are on a very ambitious journey. Somewhat mind boggling.

 

Thanks jazzi,
It is my therapy, I enjoy the process and it is good for my soul.

 

I have got a little time in on the crossmember for the truck arms. In this photo everything is just sitting there , so far so good !

 

I have ended up making my own mounting brackets for the front of the arms. I started out with some .250 plate and put a .75 hole that needed to be elongated so I could use a changeable eccentric to have the ability to square the axle up. I went by a local fab shop and the owner milled the holes out for me. I have the Key stock ( that locates the eccentric ) tacked in place, drilled and tapped the brackets for a 1/4 20 bolt to retain the eccentric and notched a washer for good measure. Just a lot of small details as we go.

 

Nice touch. .
Marcus...

 

Thanks !

 

thanks for the thread.... is it on the ground all fours yet??? I've got a 59 that i'm gonna do in the future..

 

I took these pics at Pueblo.

 

progress pics???

 

This journey has ended, the owner has lost all interest so I am in the process of packing things up for him to come get the truck. I do have it sitting on all fours and it has the potential to be a kick *** truck, Crown Vic front end, 454 Chevy, Lakewood ****tershield, Tremec 5 speed, truck arm rear and a 9 inch. I will get some pics before it leaves. Kind of a bitter sweet moment as I have a lot of time in it. Time marches on.

 

This is a bummer...You have a lot of time in this....

 

Hmm. Perhaps the owner or his “banker” lost interest in the cost. Too bad, was looking good.

 

It is ready to travel.

 

damn...I was into it...

 

Well ****

 

I hate see'n this... some one will mickey mouse the rest and say you built it...nice work... sad for you...hopeful that it gets put on the back burner and it gets brought back for you to finish...what a guy needs to do on these projects is have the money to finish in escrow and get draws as you go... that how I did spec homes.. did a few 32 roasters where I would say up front... gonna cost 50k to build a 25k car... go to pomona and buy one done..

 

Thanks ALLDONE !
That sounds about right, not to go into all the details. But it was mostly on my time in my shop at little cost to him. I enjoy the process but I can only be taken advantage of for so long. On to the next adventure ! I never liked Fords anyhow, lol