I've seen about 1,000,000 roadsters all over the web, but can't find one for the life of me with the STOCK front axle (read: no drop). I got a good deal on a complete front end kit, and couldn't pass. I am trying to figure out just how high my car is going to sit while I'm waiting for my frame. Anyone steer me in the right direction? Also, the Doane Spencer "drop". (I'm thinking of doing this if the car sits too high, or, maybe I'll jsut get a damned dropped axle...) Can this be done with a stock axle? I've searched my ass off on this one. All I see are pics of progress, nothing about HOW to do it. From what I gather (please correct me if I'm wrong): 1. you can use hairpins OR 32-ish front wishbones. 2. The frame must be "bobbed" (i.e. cut off frame horns) 3. leaf spring hangars get welded on the batwings (if using hairpins), OR they get drilled/welded into the front wishbone (if using wishbones) QUESTIONS: what will I need to do to the frame? Pinch and notch for front spring only? what angle (in degrees) does the front x-member need to be set at? I guess this depends on ride height, wheel/tire size etc. Well, that about does it for now. Let me know if you need more info. Thanks in advance. JL
There is a picture here http://www.rollingboneshotrodshop.com/ . With the stock axle in the stock position you can get about an inch of drop with a reversed eye spring. A Posies offers a super low spring good for a couple more. And that is it. The next Street Rodder is supposed to have an article on the Rolling Bones front axle setup. I don't think you have to ditch the frame horns. But insuring spring clearance at the frame rails will require notching if you use a low arch spring.
Got beat to it" sounds Rolling Bones inspired to me... you already mentioned the Doane Spencer roadster as well... the front cross member should be set at your desired caster angle at ride height...many guys run in the neighborhood of 7 degrees...Rolling Bones cars are/were 10 degrees (thats what they set them at when I was working there) (there is also a full chassis set up being chronicled in Street Rodder magazine (might be as soon as this upcoming month if I remember the article right) pinching the frame at the point the hood intersects the frame rail is common (again, street rodder article)
pick up the new rod and custom there is three good examples of what your looking for.. I'm building one right now with no drop stock 32' axle. It's going to sit high. I have a reversed eyes front spring and a model a front crossmember. That will get it down a little but I like them sitting a little high anyway..
All these pics were posted here some ago by 3W Larry, when he was building his 32 3W. I hope this helps you decide which way to go.
There's some good photos of a stock axle on a '32 frame in this thread. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=317988
haha, yeah, that's the thread that started my brain on fire... I think I'm gonna go the stock axle route. Not decided yet on the Spencer Drop. I will have to mock it up and see how it looks. I saw Billy Gibbons (and the 2 others) in R&C, and like the stance. Thanks for the help, I'm saving this thread to my files. JL
P.S. The Doane Spencer Roadster has a stock axle... http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=74507
Not all versions of the D.S. roadster had a Ford axle. At one time it had a an early Dodge double dip with Ford ends grafted on.
I think it may have started with a Ford axle and eventually went back to having a Ford axle... Anybody know for sure?
stock axle stock spring with reversed eyes stock perches stock wishbone stock steering '40 spindles and brakes p&j shocks the top/center of the stock front crossmember was cut out and refabbed higher, lowering the frame height by 1" - added by another 1" from the reversed eye spring
I used a stock undropped axle with unsplit bones and a "low" spring from Chassis Engineering and a Model A front cross member.
dangit! I need to learn how to friggin READ. I bought the front axle set up in here a while back, THINKING it was a 32. It's a 37!!!!!!!!!!!!!! NO WONDER we couldn't figure out "what was wierd" about my front end. I couldn't place what year it was... the spring is a SUPER SLIDER #1009...FITS 37-40 FORD AXLES FWIW... anybody have a good 32 front axle & spring???
There is a photo of just the Doane Spencer chassis at a show in the early '50's, in it a very noticable kickup is on the front over the crossmember area. Is this the same chassis on the car now? I believe the current Rolling Bones setup has a stock flat top front rail.
Don't limit your search to a 32 axle - 32-36's are pretty well all the same. Be careful with your choice of aftermarket springs too, a lot of aftermarket axles are narrower b/w the perch bolts, so you need to get one for a stock axle. another 2c worth bought to you by the makers of .....
thanks Larry... I got with one of my local builders. He's got an axle, so we're gonna try this again. Thanks for the help, and sorry to use up so many brain cells. More to come..JL
Although the photo's don't do it justice, this 32 roadster out of the PNW is a real looker with part of the appeal owing to the stock front axle. There is just something right and awe inspiring when a roadster sits up where it should, a hood just adds further emphasis to the package. A real 32 "heavy" axle will set you back about $500, there are lots to be had if you want to pay the price.
on the bright side...I found an axle, and figured I now had an excuse to build a belly tank with the 37 axle, haha, 20 years from now I really like the stance of the above cars. Thanks for your help. JL
Last year at the GNRS in Pomona I asked Don Orosco about the front axle on his beautiful black '32 Reily Special that was finished just before the show. He told me Doan Spencer had built it and at one time it had been on his roadster. double dip Chrysler axle with Ford ends. Really a work of Hot Rod art. The FOGGER
Here is a pic of mine for contrast. Uses a 40 ford axle mounted in front of the crossmember with the spring perches mounted through the wishbones. The front frame horns have been cut off and capped.
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