IFS front end on a 32 Model A?

I am sure this has been done, but I cuold not find it searching. I was driving home today thining about possible front suspension ideas for the new project, and I figured why not graft an IFS setup onto the frame? You can weld some tabs onto the frame, and then bolt the IFS system to the tabs (Of course properly welded on, safety first). Has anyone ever done this? Can you give me advice ona good way to go about this?

Thanks
dIma

 

Its all about the axle!!!!

 

I totally understand, but why not try somethign a bit different if it has not been done? VAriety is the ****e of life.

DIma

 

Unfortunately it's done all the time. Many companies sell kits to do that, but please don't.

BTW, what's a '32 Model A?

 

Dude, don't do it, it's going look like ****.

 

Thinking about it makes me have that weird feeling .

 

I had no idea they had them in kit form (not that Iwould ever buya "kit" for my car). Looks like I will be looking for a front axle for this ride.

As for the year... Sorry, 30/31 Model "a" truck. I am new to this, so cut me a bit of slack. I will try to learn quickly.

On the subject of axles... I want to run coilovers both front and rear. What size would Iwant to go if i want to keep the rod VERY low. I cna make the bracketry for the coilovers to sit at any height. Would the size of the C/O matter?

Thanks for all the help with this first timer.

dIma

 

I know your new but your killing us!!!! its all about the friction shocks!!!!

 

nooooooooooooooooooooooo.

The "A" in model A stands for Axle

 

If you want an IFS on a Straight Axle, I believe Fatman Fabrications sells a kit to split the front Straight Axle in the middle.

The "Splitter" Bolts to the Front CrossMember, allowing the Axle to Independently Move.

I think you basically you Cut a small section out of the Axle in the center, and you'll still Retain the Front Transverse Leaf Spring SetUp.

Drop Brent VanDervort a line, & I'm sure he'll answer any questions you, (or anyone else) may have.

I hope this information helps.

Thank you very much.

Ken

 

TCI sells those IFS kits by the **** load...so you dont want to buy a kit? so were you going to use an original mustang 2? Thats even worse YUK!

 

I think the dude is here to get a reaction.....

 

Painfull...

 

if i was you i would also ditch the coil overs on the front also and stick with a leaf. there's reasons why ya don't see to many model A's with coil overs in the front. mainly cause they look like **** and secondly its not going to improve your handling any more than a properly set up leaf spring. just don't do **** cause you saw some idiot on a TV show do it and said it's cool

 

Seriously, I was curious. now I know better. I am not looking for a reaction, but looking to learn a bit about it. So here is what I gather:
One option really. Stick with the axle. No IFS, no Coilovers in the front (can I really make the transleaf handle well?). I a trying to figure out my best options, and then source all the parts and then build.

If I want a rection, I will throw out some personal attacks, and talk about it being a "ratrod." Which it will not be. Learned that one the first post out.

Dima

 

I have been building rockcrawlers with coilovers front and rear for a long time. They ran a bunch smoother out in the bumps than the leafs did. I was curious to seeif it is the smae inaMUCH smaller application. Good to know sticking with the leafs is the way to go (talk about saving a few bucks)

Dima

 

Listen to the guys..............drop axle is the way to go, no IFS on any 32 model A????

 

No!

 

Hey man. I was a newbie not too far back, so I know where you're coming from on all this.

Most of the dudes on here (including me now) are for the most part "traditionalists". Not in every aspect, but from most aspects, especially visual and mechanical ones such as suspensions.

Ford hot rods have been built for over 70 years with the original style transverse leaf spring setups front and rear. They work very well. They aren't going to ride and handle like a new Corvette or anything, but that really isn't the point of building a traditional style car. (by the way, all new Corvettes also have transverse leaf springs - although they are fibergl*** springs and they obviously have independant suspensions).

What I did when I heard about this site was just searched on words like "ch***is" and "suspension" and found tons of pictures from guys who know how to build cars. There are definately right and wrong ways to go about building a traditional hot rod. But there definately isn't only one right way. There is a ton of creativity on this site - something new every day!!

If a traditional car isn't your style you may have better luck on another site. But I think you'll find building a more traditional hot rod will challenge you quite a bit from an engineering perspective, its great fun hunting for old parts, and in the end your car will never go out of style.

Mike

 

Very well said sir.

 

I agree with what qzjrd5 said !!

 

Pick up a copy of the Vern Tardel/Mike Bishop book "How to Build A Traditional Ford Hot Rod." All will be revealed.

 

Thank you. Probably the best answer I have ever gotten!!!! I do want to build a more traditional style hot rod. the only problem Ihave is I blew out 2disks in my neck while coaching wrestling a few years back, so I was trying to make a more comfy ride (I know, pipe dreams and all. I will deal with the rougher ride).

so now that I am being put in my place, and I do apprecaite it. I will be going with a traditional I beam style front end with the transverse leaf. is there a better model to throw in there if I want to run disks in the front? I will not skimp here. I need those disks in the front for asafety thing. I saw the kits on speeddway, and I searched here, but too much to dig through. Can i throw a 40's style chevy front end under there? If so, they sell a kit with the steering and everything redy to go with this. I would like to stay as close as possible to stock width.

Thanks
Dima

 

you have wandered into a traditional HOT ROD forum, so the popular opinion would be I beam axle, transverse leaf, split wishbones, early ford drum brakes. IFS is frowned apon on any car where it is visible. if you were building a 37 chevy I doubt many people here would recommend the original suspension..


I say do the research and build what you like. buy some magazines and get every catalog from every frame /suspension place you can find. go down to your local big time book store... there are several good books on building HOT RODs. everything from wiring to suspension .. painting /bodywork ..you name it.

buy every HOT ROD related magazine you can find.. weed out the ones that don't appeal to you and study the rest until your eyes hurt.

I'm not a big fan of IFS on early cars, but if that is what you like I say go for it. build what you like.. and hang with people who like what you built.

 

Under a Model A or a 32 ... the front suspension shows BIG TIME ...



This is above photo is How it should look
This photo below ...





And it most likely does not handle or ride as well as the black car. A arms should be parallel to the ground ... for the best ride and handling.

 

looks like ****, use the traditional axle setup

 

Street Rodder magazine had a comparison a couple years ago between IFS and a solid front end. One car was a 33 Ford sedan. Real high tech, no fenders, 18's & 20's, and of course a coil-over IFS. The other car was a 34 Chevy coupe. Heavy chop, mild channel, blown small block, and standard solid axle front end (non suicide). Through the course of events, the IFS proved only marginally better. So marginal in fact, when they switched the wheel and tire combos (18's & 20's on the coupe), the solid axle performed better than the IFS. Now I'm sure there's guys out there that can do some amazing things to IFS to make it work well on an early hot rod, but it's not cost effective and doesn't look near as cool (IMHO ). Pick up a book like Tex Smith's "How to Build a Hot Rod Ch***is". Good read and a ton of info. By the way, post some pics of your project man.....

slim

 

I had a 34 ford coupe with ifs and then just built a 32 sedan with a straight axle with cross steering. I can honestly tell you there is very little difference in handling to me. It's almost unnoticeable.I'm running hairpins and a triangulated four bar rear and the car rides really smooth and handles well.Also put a panhard bar in front.I'm running radials also. There could be a big difference if you were running bias ply but if you were to run IFS you would'nt be running bias anyway.To me if you install the straight axle right there is no need to ever run anything else.It just looks so much better than IFS .

 

and remember, even the newest Z06 vette still has transverse leaf, front and rear.

 

gzjrd5 has hit the nail on the head, or should we say the perch bolt
on the spring !