Well, I gave myself too many choices for front axle and now I am having trouble deciding. Here is an older picture of my 34 with stock height 32-36 axle. I have also packed away a good selection of axles and trying to decide which way to go. Car is going to be open wheeled, full hood, Caddy powered. Choices include: 1. 32-36, stock height. 2. 32-36, 2-1/4 drop. 3. 32 Heavy, stock height. 4. 37 V8-60 tube axle. Give me some thought, ideas, and some pictures as well as your choice
I like them UNdropped any time I can get them. So for me I would be going '32 heavy, 32-36 or '37 V860 axle all undropped. How I plan on getting my car down lower (if I choose not to keep the car up high) is by using a flattened Model A crossmember up front as to lower the car a couple inches. Couple that with a reversed eyed spring and it should get the car just as low as drop axle. I got that idea from the guy that owned the cover roadster (1934) on the cover from the last Rodder's Journal. Maybe it's just me but undropped axles jut have better aesthetics. And while I love Mike Hamel's style judging from his latest '34 3w I have to disagree with his opinion on the V860 axle. I have seen your car in person and it sits a little ass down like an early drag car which is fucking cool. The tube axle would only reinforce that vibe you've got going even though that might not be your aim. UNDROPPED!!!!
I'd run the heavy 32 or the VA-60. Both would work well. The V8-60 would also be cool because you just can't find them anymore
I guess it really comes down to the vibe? As I stated above, when I seen the car I seen an early drag car one that would have done double duty on the strip and the salt...you know the kind. But since you're considering a drop axle I assume that the stance is not 100% dialed in yet and you're still fine tuning that. So where do you see your car? Is it a late 40's early 50's lakes coupe or is it one that would have been tearing up a new make shift drag strip at an airport? With the Caddy you can really go any direction with it depending on your intake. And choosing the era doesn't really limit your options but I think it would be easier to visualize what you're going for if you put it down for you to read yourself. I started my '35 as a early 50's car but now I all I see is 1957 with the Chrome and engine choice. I know some think it's silly and you should just do what YOU like but I can't visualize a car without putting it in a particular setting. It just doesn't work for me.
Yeah for sure. I had a chance to buy one for my '33 and it was pitted to shit! In the end I chose to go with a stock '33 axle because the car is going to be a less is more type deal and less about the parts. But damn it I want one of those axles!!!
i had thought about doing that route when setting up the chassis on my 34',.but looks like you'd have to re-work the radiator lower tank outlets ( i am running a 59ab, im building a 40's style hotrod) and didnt want to fuck with my radiator,so went with dropped axle up front.
JJ, I am trying to get the stance/look right, without going to far over the top. I think you know what I mean when I say that, "I don't want to go over the top". Some cars just have too much attitude, I am shooting for a car with subtle hints of "Don't Mess with me" without getting too much in your face with it. Make ant sense? I am shooting for 51-55 no later than 56. Very little chrome, Intake is gonna be Smoljan triples with match 94's topped off with Early Edelbrock spark arrestors. The rear height is a little taller that the picture with Tony in it. The overall stance is pretty neutral right now with the 2-1/4 drop axle installed. Tube and stock will give me nose up.
I'm going to give you a few examples of neutral stance (IN MY OWN OPINION) and you can make a conclusion of where you need to go. If the undropped axle give you a nose up and you want it more level then drop axle or flattening the crossmember is your option there. I for one thought your car stood apart from the rest with the ass down a bit and is the reason I wanted on so damn back. Even though I am sticking with a mid 40's look where drop axles weren't common or around at all so the front end might stay up high as well as the back. This is neutral in stance but still has so much attitude... As well as this. Note the undropped axle.... More neutral then when they had it running on the lakes and I think that's due to the rear slick size not being so tall. This is my favorite version of the So-Cal Coupe... Does anybody run regular grille shells on these cars? Sheesh! Maybe a little ass down? More neutral again. You're definitely on to something. I wanted my '32 built in this era because I feel like it's lost time that not a lot of people draw inspiration. Everybody wants heavy rake which I love but I can also love the F*$K out of some level stances. I think the most important part to dial in is the STANCE. Once you have that nailed to where you want it then you can start to look at the aesthetics of axle preference. Whether you have a dropped axle or not is not going to make or break the car but many of cool car have been ruined by the wrong stance. So if you want level then I guess the 2.25" drop axle is the right choice. It's definitely a car that I can see benefitting from a level stance and I think that's probably the best choice. Now as stated above, you can flatten that crossmember and rework the radiator to get the same effect and best of both worlds. If I had a Ford Tube axle I'd probably try everything I can to use it even if that meant reworking the radiator you know? But in the end the axle is not what the car is going to be about. It's the total package and you have that already in spades. I mean, 1934 Ford 3w with a Cad V8, 3x2 intake and the right rolling attire. How could the axle detract from the car. The trick is only one axle is going to add to the car but none will take away....that is unless you throw a Superbell into the mix hehe.
32 heavies look great undropped, if a dropped is how you want to go than the 33-36 would be the best choice, imo.
JJ, Just got done looking at the pics you posted, AGAIN, trying to determine a theme from what you have shown. I find it interesting that the cars that are channeled use the track nose while the only car that you shown with stock grille is the only one not channeled. Wondering if that is some kind of determining factor for the guys running the track nose. That would kind of make sense, I have yet to see a 33 or 34 that has a sectioned grille thta looks right. Also some of those track nose car look as if the front axle has been pushed forward in attempt to get the car lower.
The car sits nose high as is but I like it o.k that way.If I were to change it ,it would be to the dropped axle.Since your wishbone is split,a tube axle would not be ideal,but I'm sure you already know that.
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