I'm trying to design a flat front crossmember for my 48 ford frame I'm modifying and trying to get it low as possible. I want to run a monoleaf in a spring over axle setup. If I build a beefy deep channel crossmember like out of some 2x3x.25 box, would just a single bolt through the middle of the mono leaf spring suffice or do i have to make the crossmember to use the two u-bolts? I figure that the monoleaf will sit deep enough in the channel to keep it secure. Also wouldn't that be better than u bolts with a whole stack of spacers? I'm kind of a noob when it comes to this, everything I've ever worked on before only had straight axles on the back.
well then do they make u bolt that are threaded almost the whole way down so I wouldn't have to use spacers? I guess I could just ren a die all the way down the threads but what hardness are u bolts? I've had to beat on a few before and messed the theads up on them pretty easily. Would a single grade 8 7/16" bolt be just as strong?
Well, if you decide to test drive it stay in the driveway and keep the kids in the house so they won't have to watch.
Ok well thanks for all the good info guys I guess next time I have any questions I'll just ask a fuckin housplant.
Nice...you think we're REQUIRED to answer anything you ask or something? Lighten up man.... Anyway...Fuckin housplant here , so I'll give it a shot on a beautiful Sunday morning I guess... I think your still running a wishbone...although it READS like your just gonna hold the entire front suspension by keeping the monoleaf bound up in a tight channel...thus your vague responses. Ask a well thought out question...get a well thought out answer. (Plus some bull...it's still the HAMB! LoL) Anyway...NO you can't use a single bolt to hold the monoleaf. It needs support or it will eventually fracture. Might fracture even with support...but so might a multileaf spring. Springs are funny like that. Think about the spring and how it limits side roll of the body around a corner. It actually works like a PAIR of 1/4 Elliptic springs due to the large clamp plate under it. The roll forces are controlled well past the center bolt of the spring. What your suggesting would have those forces applying pressure right at the bolt and even with a matching single bolt bottom plate the bolt or spring would break due to the leverage being applied. Hmmmm....NOT saying you can't...but a flat crossmember is a big drop in a 48 isn't it!?!? How do you propose clearance for things like the rad and the tierods? What are you building...?
Any spring shop can make you a set of custom length u-bolts. Speedway sells a new replacement crossmember that will lower the car 3" and it's a direct bolt in. If that doesn't lower it enough then have your springs eyes reversed. Man, I don't know about a mono spring on that heavy a car....
So you asked a question and you talk smack because you don't like the answer? Or maybe it wasn't clear enough... IT'S A STUPID IDEA. Why would EVERY manufacturer that EVER built a leaf spring suspension go to the extra expense of clamping the springs from the outside instead of hanging everything off the center bolt? All the force required to hold the car up during cornering is going to be trying to bend that 1 bolt sideways. You don't have to be an engineer to figure out that situation isn't going to last long... If you want it low, move the spring back off the axle on to the wishbones. That's why it was done in the first place. And get to know this place a little better...(or don't).
Ahh, I see the light now that it was explained a little better, spreading the forces out as opposed to concentrating them to a single point. It's not for a big ol 48 though. Just using it for a donor frame for a 36 truck. I'm planning on shortening it a bit and kicking it up in the rear. I guess my answer is just custom u bolts. I'm planning on running the rad in front of the crossmember and the tie rods between the hairpins. Sorry for being so snappy, I was watching the UFC fights last night
Man...thats funny. I got a laugh out of that!!! Yeah, always build for safety. You can't enjoy something your not 100% sure of.
The Jalopy Journal
