Has anyone split there front axle to make an old fashiones IFS? If so, got any pics? Thinking about doing this but theres a couple of things im not 100% happy about.
If there are any around Sheffield, take a look under the front of F100 Ford pickups for ideas...maybe even for parts.
I was afraid that was probably the situation. You should be able to find some pics of F100 front suspensions on the internet. I think that the set up on these is pretty much what you have in mind.
My car had a Split Axle. But It already had it when I bought it. Its a Mallock U2, built by Mallock Racing in England. Tha Axle is made out of Pop/Anglia parts.
J 2 allards had split straight axle. Had a center mounted short doubble ended pivot block and each axle pivited off of it. Kind of scarry looking but seemed to work. Still used the transverse spring.
Thats exactly what i plan. No problems with that part, its more steering set up im concerned about. The old way is to keep the stock steerign and drag link and split the steering arm and pivot that in the center too, on 2 track rod ends. Not entirely happy with that due to ankerman issues and bump steer. Dont want to go with a rack. Was considering something like the old VW steering box set up, not sure. Hence me asking you guys.
No those are the best pics I have. Its kinda hard to snap good pics around the Engine, Dry Sump, & all the Plumbing... Its a very good handeling Car. Its the same type (Mk6) Arthur Mallock raced to 2nd place at Christal Pallice in a F2 race, and Max Mosley ( the FIA top guy ) used to race one as well...
Look for pics of twin i-beam ford trucks and Allards, its been discussed on here too and one of the axle companies was sells a kit There is supposed to be some handling issues but it does kinda look like fun to plaw with Btw when did chev go ifs?? there are other ways to get an "old fashoned ifs"
One Pop Axle, cut and lengthened and the ends cross over to give longer axle length for less Camberchange through its travel...
Ford Twin I-Beam suspension photo from the internet.(You can see it full-size at http://www.off-roadweb.com/features/0506or_1970_ford_f100/photo_04.html)
Its important to get the pivot points really low. Cause thats where the Roll Center is, and if the Roll Center is too high you'll get the Jacking effect the Allards were famous for. Here are some pics of a Short Swing Axle setup on a Lotus Eleven. ( also Pop Parts...) Longer Axles are better, though...
The crossover thing may be awkward on the pop, not sure if there will be room, ill have to look. Cant go with a new kit etc, want to keep it reasonably stock, also costs, widths etc. The plan with this car is to build it the same as an old english ford special but with the origional body rather than some badly proportioned plastic ****. I do like the crossover thing though, lots of advantages there, if i can make that work i will! I ***ume the axle extension pieces are at an angle so not to have stupid camber? I guess you could rig up a monoshock front end if the axles were extended past the pivot points Hmmm.......
Some great pics there. Crazy monoshock ideas well and truly thrown out, moment of madness there. Like the lotus set up, are the axles upside down? The more i think about this the more options there are. Im going to have to have a good look at the front end again tomorrow. This may also solve some of the 'getting it low' issues.
The extension pieces are Welded on offset, so they miss eachother where they cross. but they are pretty much straight in line from the spot where they were cut. I run mine upside down ( like Chapman did on the Eleven ), because that gave me the Camber I was looking for, and I have more Travel in Droop before the Axle Bottoms out on the other side's Pivot Point...
The pic of that red allard is why the setup is no longer used but it would be nostalgic. The j2s had a narrow track. The akerman should be fine with the center draglink if you are splitting a working solid axle setup.
Great, thanks folks. Its the option of using coil overs that means i can get it low. Will have to have a good look at the car when its light, i cant even remember the basic locations of everything!
Have you thought of looking for a period Ballamy axle? They were built for pops and anglias and are exactly what you describe. They were for trials etc. My brother has a 38 7w with a gennie ballamy front axle I can get pics if you want..
I was trying to remember the name... He had a patent on it for a while, didn't he? http://www.1950sspecials.com/for sale 1.htm
Yeah, pics of his bellamy would be great. As i say, ive got diagrams. They have 2 leaf springs yeah? one in front of the other. Theres the bowden version too I would love an origional if one came up at the right money. All the old ford special parts are hard to find though. That bowden is for sale at £310, not too bad but i'd rather spend that on an overbore, a fresh bottom end or a cam and followers and just make the IFS myself.
Thats the fun part! we are away this weekend at Billing but will get some pics next week and PM either through here or through the NSRA Uk site.. I do know what you mean about the cost of stuff though I have bought and then sold a number of Anglias and y's because the price of gennie rebuild stuff. 32's are cheaper to do!
Super Bell Axel has one thats they introduced sometime last year. pick up a Street Rodder magazine or go online and check it out.
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