Technical Model A front end widht

Building a 1931 Ford Coupe. Going to be with fenders, 4" drop I-beam. Recomended axle widht?

 

I have a '31 fendered '31 Model A coupe with a '33-'36 axle that I'm pretty certain is 48" wide. Front wheels and tires are 15 X 5" with 165-15 front tires. I believe the wheels are 3" backspace with 5 X 4 1/2" bolt pattern on a speedway front disc brake kit with Metric calipers. The front wheels are a little further outboard than I would like but it drives and steers nicely. I'm using a Vega box with cross steer. I have a pair of wheels that have about 1/2"-3/4" more backspace that would pull the tires/wheels in a bit but I need to somehow enlarge the center hole to go all the way on the disc brake rotor/hub.

With all that said I like it OK, but to me pulling in the tires/wheels the extra little bit with my other wheels or perhaps a 46" axle would look nicer when viewed from the front. I do think some cars have the wheels pulled in a bit too narrow and personally I think that looks a bit sillier than just a touch too wide, but I'm probably biased by my own car.

FWIW....I do have a 4" dropped axle for a Model A that is 48" wide or a really nice '33-'36 axle and some other suspension and brake parts for sale if you'll be shopping. I'm shameless so here's a link to my ad:
https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/ford-axle-suspension-and-brake-package.1344345/

Bes wishes with your '31 Coupe project!

Lynn

 

Just saw your location is Norway so shipping would be really expensive so you're probably not interested in the parts I have.

Lynn

 

If wheels are something like Halibrands with some offset, then you surely want a 46” axle. If more like stock steelies, then a 48” might work.

 

I have almost the same set-up on my avatar '30 "A" coupe as lake_harley with the exception of having the 46" axle. I narrowed the front fenders 3". The tire sidewalls slightly protrude outwards from the fenders but the treaded portion does not. It is an individual preference determining if one likes the look or not, instead of the overhanging fenders.

 

On my A I used the narrow axle.
It puts tires under the fender raidias.
Terry aka dirt t

 

Exactly. My tub has a 48" and fits steel wheels and wires well. But halibrand style require a really small front tire to not rub.

My pickup truck has a 46" axle and halibrands sit pretty centered up but steel wheels are too narrow.

I'd say do 47".

 

OP didn't mention intended brakes for the front. Most are aware, so this comment is for OP. All of the front disk brake conversions push the tires out between 1/2" - 1" per side. Also many older wheels drop centers don't allow enough room to fix it with more back space. So, especially with fenders, have your wheel / tire / brake combo worked out before finalizing the axle width. I'm sure if you post the brake / tire / wheel combo you settle on using, many guys on here have done it before and can tell you just what axle width you want.