I've been searching the archive and through the threads on here, but I may have missed something, I don't know. I'm trying to figure out what I exactly need to do in order to put the '37-'48 spindles onto my '29 Ford "Dubble A" (AA) truck. I've had several people tell me its a truck front end and I cannot do it. I've also had more people tell me it should be a regular axle - that Ford didn't go to a heavier front axle until later - and that these spindles should fit with no problem. So, here I am - hoping to finally get the answers I need before I purchase spindles. Now, I'm not going to run the 20" split rims from the original truck. I'm planning to run the later model 16" spoke/wire wheels from a mid '30s Ford. I'm also planning to adapt to disc brakes as they are just my personal preference. Before I purchase a set of spindles, what do I need to know about converting my axle to make them fit? I've included a few pictures of the axle and spindle/hub on it now. The spindle/kingpin boss is approximately 2 1/4" tall if it makes any difference. I've also got 14 leaves in the front leaf pack (16 leaves in the rear). I'm learning as I go here with much of this stuff, and I'll be the first to admit I know more than enough to get myself into trouble. However, I'm wanting to make sure I do things right, and safely. I may be annoying some of you with my posts, and I'm sorry if I am, but I learned a long time ago that the only dumb question is the one that doesn't get asked, and results in pain or injury. If there's a tech article on how to adapt the spindles to the axle, I'd appreciate it if someone could link me to it. I'd also appreciate it if anyone who has done this same or similar swap before could help me out with possible part numbers or their experiences and problems. Thanks in advance!
2-1/4 is a standard axle depth, but you really need to get the kingpin out to check its diameter before ordering anything.
I don't know for sure if it makes any difference or not, but the end/boss isn't any wider than the thickness of the axle itself, which appears to be about 1 3/8" thick.
Book seems to indicate early AA used normal A axle...just drive out kingpins as a good start on confirming that.
Heres a post that might help. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=124112&highlight=ford+spindles
I looked at that thread and posts in detail before I originally posted this problem. It goes into detail about adapting the brakes to the spindles - which is great - but doesn't say anything about adapting the spindles to the "A" axle, which is what I'm needing to do first.
Bruce is right. The early AA's had passenger car front axles. The 37 41 spindles should be a bolt on. You do need to use the 37 41 king pin kit with them though.
::nodding:: Do the pictures I posted help? You guys say the 37-41s should be a direct bolt in, but what about the 42-48s? I've got a line on 2 different complete front axles out of the later half ton trucks, but want to make sure - if I can - that they'll fit. And I'll need to be sure to use the appropriate kingpin kit which corresponds to the used spindles. Got it.
The basic difference between 78-(37-41) Ford spindles and 21A-(42-48) Ford spindles is the flange where the brake backing plate bolts on. The 37-41 are round flanged and the 42-48 are square flanged. Both have built in steering arms with a double-eyed one on the RH spindle sin ce they are from cars with cross-steering. The brakes hubs and drums are different but interchangeable as sets. The early brakes(39-41) are adjusted both at the heel and toe of the brake shoes but the later ones are fixed mount at the heel and adjustable at the toe only. There are other subtle differences but I think you wanted to go with disc brakes anyhow so you shouldn't care a whit.
::still nodding:: Pasadenahotrod, you're right - I plan to switch to discs, but I wanted to make sure I wasn't going to run into any major fabrication issues just in switching over the spindles from the Dubble A to the later models. I do plan to run the cross steering setup, so that'll be a plus in itself. Do any of you know what discs and bearings will work on these spindles? I was told something about 53-56 F1 or F100 (not sure if they are the same thing or not) drums would interchange, but did these trucks run discs at any time? I appreciate all the help you guys are giving me. This is lowering my stress level about this swap to some degree. I'll repay the help one of these days, but until then, all I can say is thanks! ~Greg
I just want to thank you guys again for helping me out with this subject. I'll owe ya'll one down the road.
You can get a kit from Speedway or Superbell to mount Ford or GM rotors and GM calipers on 37-41 Ford passenger car spindles. That is what I am running on my Deuce. You can get complete kits or just the brackets and bearing adapters and source the common parts locally. With these kits you have a choice of the 5 on 4.5 (Ford/MOPAR) or 5 on 4.75 (Chevy) lug bolt patterns. I understand one of the aftermarket brake companies, ECI or Master Power Brakes offers a kit with the 5 on 5.5 (early Ford) bolt pattern. But I have not used them.
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