37 ford axle vs Model A? Need advise

Guys,
Got a question about a 37 ford Front axle I have. Doing a sucide front end. Perch centers are around 39” vs the 36” on a earlier axle. In hindsight I read that They aren’t as good for a tight turning radius? Wheels rubbing? Does 1 ½” really matter per side that much? Should I get another axle? I want to run a mono spring, and I’m gonna proably pay 200 for a custom length vs 100 on a 31” spring. I already drilled it and got it all smoothed out….and it’s in great shape. Just run it and don’t worry about it? Thoughts?

Thanks!
Jim

 

It all depends on how wide your wish bones are split, and your wheel offset. With a neutral offset and the bones out to the side of the rails you wont be able to make a U-turn and pulling into a parking spot takes a couple of trys. (3-point parking). It never bothered me but mine was a weekend driver, if I drove it daily it may have been annoying.

 

Frame will be 26" wide and at least 36" radius rods....maybe longer doing a CCR frame extended for a 40 PU cab....

Jim

 

Draw it up full size on the ground and see ?
off-set of the wheels makes a big difference if they are wide and you tuck them in or not much difference if they are skinny with minimal back space as far as the axle goes.
I drove a 4x4 crew cab dually for a few years, that thing had a huge turning radius - if its a *****in truck, you get used to it

 

I like the 37-40 axle as you can mount a stock 28-34 spring between the split bones. Turning circle was worth the simplicity of using available parts vs. having narrower main leaf made.
Or do like the Ivo T - Leave stock spring mounts, cut off wishbone, turn axle backwards (To mount suicide spring behind style) then mount hairpin or 4 bar mounts on the axle closer together to gain turning radius.