Which rear crossmember A or 35-40?

Hey guys whats your take on different rear crossmembers is there pros or cons?I know if you run a quickchange you would want a model A. Does the 35-40 give you more spring choices?Does one sit lower than the other?I'm building a 31 A coupe on 32 rails,hiboy and I'm rounding up parts for my ch***is,I have a model A crossmember already.I'm running a 354 Hemi,trans unknown but a stick and a 57-64 Olds/Poncho rearend with a ladder bar setup.I Just wanted to get some oponions before I start ***embling.
Thanks Joe

 

Wheres the love?

 

You can use a square tube crossmember with a '40 rear spring. Then you won't have a hump in the floor like you would if you used a model A rear crossmember.

 

I am building a 29 RPU, and will be using a '40 rear crossmember for a couple reasons:
- I have a rear banjo out of a '40 truck, so it's path of least resistance
- I want to have the bed of the truck be usable, so by not using a model A crossmember I can get the truck lower without having a hump in the middle of the bed. With your application, you would be able to avoid intruding into your trunk space.
- Maybe it's just me, but I've always felt like '40-style springs ride a little better than the arched model A rear springs.
- Want to drop the rear end lower? Pie cut and flatten the '40 crossmember.
- This style rear crossmember works very well in a 32 frame

Hope this helps - best of luck with your project - Jones

 

Thanks for the replys.Are all the rear crossmembers the same 35-40??If I flatten out say a 40 can I get it as low as a A bone rear crossmember?Also whats the hot setup for a spring with that crosmember?I don't want to run the rear tube crossmember with the flat stock welded on it,it looks to streetrodish to me.
Joe

 

kind of depends on how low you want to get it, but this is definitely a good way to get the back end low, especially with a 32 frame.

There have been a couple articles in different magazines about how to flatten out a '40 style crossmember, one especially good one was in (I think) Rod and Custom about a year ago. The work was done by Ionia Speed Shop, and as it was specifically a '40 crossmember for a '32 frame, it may be worth finding. If it wasn't Rod and Custom, then it was probably Street Rodder (yeah, I know).

I am also sure that I have seen the same thing illustrated as part of a longer thread here on the HAMB, but off hand can't remember where I read about it.

I really don't know if 35-40ish rear crossmembers are all the same (I would guess small differences, but similar), but I do know it's getting tough to find them. A reasonable replica can be tailor made out of channel. Hope this helps.

 

I just flattened out a 40 crossmember a month or so ago. Was really easy, and I can use the stock 40 spring in my T. I followed the Rod and Custom article.

 

Can you tell me what issue of R&C I'll see if my bud has his back issues,I gave most of mine away,dammit!
Thanks Joe

 

I found it online Feb 09,Now I need to find a 35-40 rear crosssmember to flatten out,sounds like thats the way to go.
Joe

 

Do you happen to have a link? I'm going to flatten one in the next couple of weeks.

 

This guy has one that would probably work great for you:

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=6375275#post6375275

Good luck - Jones

 

I have to deside on the T rear crossmember in a '32 ch***is or the flattened 35-40, right now the 35-40 seams like the way to go.

 

Here's the article.

http://www.rodandcustommagazine.com/techarticles/0605rc_1932_ford_deuce/index.html

 

Thanks, that some good info.

 

THANKS! That did it, now I need a '40 rear crossmember, have a '32 to swap.

 

Yeah, well I posted a link above where a guy has one for sale cheap. Sheeeesh.

Could it be any easier? Yeah, you're welcome.

 

Good luck, post some pics when your done.