I am building a Model TT i have modified an 'A' frame im getting to the front axle where im trying to get a 70 truck straight axle pinned to it any sugetions on where to start . i need the suspension to the pan hard bar and finding the angle of the axle the whole 9 ( ive got the steering figured out ) to clearify is a T cab, which really is of no significance frame is from a 29 modle A and the axle is from a 70 Dodge truck
I half to ask. Is there a reason for using the Dodge front axle? Seems like a lot of nonsense given it will be standing right out front for everyone to see. Even if you make brackets that bolt on where the dual springs did mount ya really can't make it easy on the eyes. The Wizzard
this has crossed the table before... just trying to use what i have however that at the moment is on the top of the list just trying to figure out weather or not it will work ... this project is founded by the unemployed
I'm a firm believer and living proof you can make anything do the job. The question becomes should I really prove that? The Wizzard
If you have any welding skill you could probably make your own tube axle, or you can sell the dodge axle and use that money to buy an early ford axle, I find them all over the place for less than $100 sometimes less than $50. Or you could use the dodge axle and undersling the frame or you could split the dodge axle and shorten it. the drill some holes in the cutoff ends and make a bushing surface to where you can mount it on some 5/8" bolts through your crossmember Then make your own radius rods and run coilovers and have a non independent independent front suspension... the niifs for short
Ok, let me cut to the chase. What these guys are trying to say so gingerly is.......there are thousands of hot rods on the road using suspension designs meant for specific frames. There most likely are ZERO Model A framed, '70 dodge axle hot rods out there and IF there is, that person should have some sense of design clubbed into them. You might make it work but as far as "Traditional Hot Rods" are concerned a '70 truck axle has no place near a real hot rod. That said, I have a TT truck that does have a Dodge front axle. A 30's dodge tube axle that is the right width, doesn't have big ugly axle pads cast into it AND it fits. Spring behind with hairpins all based on early ford OR aftermarket suspension design practices that are meant to be on hot rods. This is also the third time today that I've typed out a long reply to a thread that I thought had potential and then I thought a bit more about it and deleted my reply. Lately I have been doing this at least once a week or so. If you're new at this whole hot rodding thing, SEARCH out cars that you find attractive and that OTHER people find attractive and compare design elements. Just because you have a part that MIGHT work, doesn't mean you should use it "just because it's there". Successful hot rods are built using solid engineering an design techniques. It's honestly THAT simple. I apologize if I come off as cr***, not trying to but it's extremely frustrating to see good cars wasted because "that's what I had". There's all kinds of threads on this site with fantastic hot rod builds. Search them out, study them, ask them a question. Rolf, Chris, Chris Casney, B***, Hemicoupe are just a few examples off the top of my head that have LOTS of talent and post it all for you and I to soak up via the Hamb.
ok Ive got the just and im not harmed by these comments cause Im builling the truck for a good friend and this is what he gave me to work with
Really not try to beat you up, just saying there are two roads to travel here. One is a super-hiway and one is a goat path. Taking the road less traveled is not always the coolest.
T. Scott; I don't see any problems with using what you have there. There's lots of T bodies on A frames. There's lots of diverse straight axles under almonst anything, because any straight axle can be adapted to any situation by anyone that is mechanically inclined, as it is that any idiot that wants to disuade you can figure out a reason not to. Superhighway/goat path??? What kind of ******** is that? So far you haven't got much of any constructive advice, but I suggest you hang around and somebody will most likely contribute something of value to your plan to use what you got. I haven't hung a 70 dodge axle under an A frame, but there's no doubt it could be done quite nicely. If it has lumps you don't need, trim them off. If you decide not to use it, send it my way!. It's just a damned shame that people pile on with ********. Keed on keepin' on. P.S. Always be wary of people that don't want you to use what you got because they likely have something they want to sell you.
I know T.Scott he is my brother and the T is not his the guy he is doing all the work for gave him what he has. and thats it none the less he is doing all the work for FREE so just help him out guys and help him/everyone on here doing a build that has no money to spend on all the A stuff ......i cant wait to move back down to SO CAL to help him out with the build in oct
I'm going to give another thought on this, Those who know me know I am a cheap ,chiseling, cheating skinflint who despises spending money.But there are reasons even I bite the bullet and spend the money. One is I don't buy, build,modify ,destroy anything without first determining what its worth now and what it's worth when I'm done. Lets face it 95 % of us sell our cars at some point and we all like to get good money for them. My point is another more mainstream,easily mountable axle may be worth the $50 to $ 100 if it makes the car more valuable in the end or it saves you 15 hrs of time and $25 of steel and other materials. It doesn't take much to increase the value of a hot rod the extra $100. These types of cars need a clean well engineered front on them. If you are having trouble with the mounting ,actually unless it's cross steer you won't need a panhard bar,you are going to be lost with caster,bumpsteer ect. The other Ford stuff pretty much bolts on. Take this for what it's worth ,I applaud your resorcefull attempt but I think in this case the other advice is on the mark. Keep us informed.best of luck.
thanks for the advise and ill run it by him again .. as far as the worth of this vehical it means nothing to me unless i can get it on the road and i will. he is a good friend so ill see if this is his final answer and if so ill fab what needs to be fabbed and bolt up what needs to be bolted up im trying to get a starting point and when i do ill post some pics i did the chop on this 25 and cleaned up all the metal for him and ill do the same for the frame and suspension ...thank you again for the replys and if there are more I dont mind the critics but your trying to sway the wrong guy -no affence-
The panhard on rear of my Nash hot rod is off a 70something LTD that had the trailing arm suspension with coils. $3 at junkyard.
Somewhere in my boxes of photos I have some photos of a pair of T buckets built in the Cl Elum, Wa area that both run the parallel leaf axles with brackets and batwings bolted to them to run a transverse spring. Both belong to the same family and are well built and serious hot rods with stout engines. It can be done, it won't be as attractive as a Ford Transverse spring axle but if you work at it a bit it can be presentable and many will miss the difference at first look. I think I'd do some smoothing and cleaning up on the axle it's self to draw the eye away from the way it bolted to the batwings.
A '70 Dodge front axle is a bit wide for a "T", like 6" or so. Might look Ok without fenders, I guess. I would grind off the spring pads and weld on some batwings to hold the radius rods and a suicide spring setup. Lots more work and probably more cash than a Ford axle will be, bit if the guy is really set on the truck stuff, so be it. At least he will have better brakes than the Ford ones.
thanks for the info i actually have alot of steel here so fabbing something up is not far out of reach for me
hey check this out... would be super cool. and different. http://sandiego.craigslist.org/nsd/pts/1629101694.html
i did take a look at this link and while it would be cool it is still the same fashion as what i have thanks though
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