rule no. 2

"stock width front ends and rear ends only"


my queston is this.

does this mean dropped front axles are out?

 

Stock width, nothing about stock height.
Meant to avoid narrowed units, which were uncommon in the '50s.
Several guys're running dropped fronts.

 

thanks old6,
i have an old ford unit out of a wwII jeep that was narrowed for use in a t-bucket. i knew i couldn't use that.
what i was wondering was if the dropping process would narrow the front end enough to make it an issue.
i was thinking that i might at some point want to drop the axle i plan to use and that's why i asked.

thanks again, know i know.

 

When they "Dropped" the early Ford I beams. They actually stretched it a tad to keep the same kingpin to kingpin dimension...

 

ThingyM,
that makes sense and i seem to recall reading something similar in a magizine how to.
i was however not taking that in consideration when i asked the question.

it,s a modification i've never done personally, but figured i'd give a try at some point.
this project and the blacksmithing classes i took a while back are what got me thinking about giving it a try.
i figured a jig/perch fabbed up to hold it at the king pin would allow me to heat it and bend it while keeping it in the proper planes.
i can see where stretching it for width would make sense for a fendered application, but i don't see where it would matter on an open wheeled application.

i reckon i'll do some more research before i melt the first one into scrap. lol!
thanks for the info ThingyM

 

search "axle dropping jig" over on the main board, there are a few versions

 

Duke, Look in the Tech Archives section of the HAMB. There is one or two threads on the subject by my young neighbor Titus. Be sure to go to the bottom of the Archives page and ask for articles "from the beginning".

 

moparsled, bobw,
thanks for the info, i will see what i can find.

 

I wouldn't lose a lot of sleep over whether dropping your axle will narrow your front end. I've never seen a tape measure at the H.A.M.B. drags. I'd say if it looks close to stock, it's close enough. Just my opinion.

 

Jim.. You are absolutely correct.. But without the proper tooling and fixtures to keep the kingpin inclination correct while bending the axel, It's gonna be a bitch....

 

i figure to do a little homework, build what i need(what i think will work) to keep things straight and give it a try. i have a couple of front ends and i figure nothing ventured nothing gained.
if it comes out, i'll add it to my short list of things i know how to do.
if not i'll add it to that dreaded longer list. lol!

 

You could go with a "Servicar" front end. One wheel, 14" full width.

Oh wait, never mind, NHRA .......

 

lmao!
now you have me thinking........?

 

Of course you'll need to stick with street tires.

 

thanks again for the info ThingyM

i found some more info on the subject.
it seems some of the shops doing this today are using both methods.
a 4" drop on a model a axle has to be stretched to retain the origanal demensions.
a 4" drop on a model a axle without the stretch shortens the axle by 2".

other axles seem to be affected similarly.

 

appears to be a sidewinder too.
the inginuity that can be found in the history of racing, truely amazes me.
that really would be a show stopper if someone was to emulate that little digger.

 

Even kinda looks like an attempt at a "flat plate" type wing on the front.

Wonder if it worked?

 

The wing? Likely didn't have that much effect.

The chassis? Worked well enough that NHRA outlawed'em.

 

Shades of Kenny Ellis. A thorn in NHRA's side.

 

That describes most of us.