I was told that a 1939 axle wouldn't work for my model a. It has wider spring mount holes. Is this true? Thanks Dave
Widened the spring pocket toward the rear of the crossmember, using the '37 spring, U bolts, axle & bones , 39 brakes. Then bent the bones to correct angle. used the '37 & up cross steering, had to use a joint to get the wheel in the right place. Used stock '46 shocks and linkages. Later made headers to loose the crude manifolds.
I used an old 40 MorDrop under my A coupe. I used a set of deuce style spring perches and had the local spring shop make a custom main leaf for it. That way the spring would be over the axle like its supposed to be in a Model A. The 40 bones dont fit a model A unless you split them, at least not the way I have my car set up.
Should add that fenders probably won't look right as this move's the axle back. Also it's lower, and the space between the axle & tie rod make's room for the radiator to mount lower & behind the crossmember.
It wouldnt look right period. Thats why I had a new main leaf made to put the spring on top, and put the axle in line where it should be. Pardon the Pete & Jakes perches, and shackles in the pic. They're what I have for mock up at the moment.
Yes, the axle can be made to work. No, don't use the factory front spring. Yes, do what Tank did in the photo above, AND cut off the stock spring mounts. Yes, it will probably cut down the turning radius of the tire cuz the bones are wider than the stock Model A's.
I have a front end out of a 39 Ford. I was going to use it as it was but it was suggested that I move the spring over the axle. I liked the idea to keep the wheel base longer. I called a local Hot Rod shop and gave them the center to center dimensions of the king pins and perch holes. They shipped me an 30" eye to eye spring and its way to short. I should also mention that the 39 spring was 2" wide and because of the Model A cross member it had to be ordered 1 3/4". Does anyone know the way to get a correct spring?
Have a new main leaf made to fit the earlier spring pack, or get the special length one from Posies. They do have the right one for 37 up beam with spring above. EDIT; Posies will have the complete spring pack, not just the main leaf.
Here`s another way To do it without buying a spring. heavy wall tubing with a spring locating hole drilled into it. Also you can lower the back of the wishbones to set caster and not have to do mess with the cross member angle. (this pic was a mock up ) so you could make it better. Pete. (Oh` yeh you get to keep the proper wheel base this way) Pete.
If ya look at my truck in my avatar, you will se a 40 frame with a 42-48 Axel with 32 perches custom made dogbones with a 33-34 pickup spring, cut down 38 bars split with heimi joints, worked great....Bump steer.....Roach.
Geeze, I hope it does. My brother has been running that setup for years. I'd hate to think that he is doing something impossible.
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