Tried to use the search ****on but no go.. Question: Will a dropped 1947 ford front axle(the one with the spring mounted in front of the axle) with juice brakes and stock wishbones go under a fendered '30 stock model A? Too wide or narrow or just right? Will it sit the wheels too far back? What about the rear end will it fit under the model a and not be too wide? I want to keep the original banger motor and trans, will the swap from mechanical brakes to juice brakes keep me from doing this? Appreciate any help from the collective knowledge of fellow hambers!
Front axle would be too wide and set the wheels back. The rear axle is also too wide for the fenders. Lots of stock running gear "A"s have been converted to juice brakes.
39/48 Ford hydraulic brakes (and Lincoln) brakes are relatively easy to fit on an otherwise stock Model A. Search the HAMB tech sub-forum. People have made the later axles and suspension work under fenders. But it looks weird, shortens the wheel base, and makes the ride harsh. Not something I would do or recommend you do. For your Model A have 296 V8 here on the HAMB drop your stock axle. Use 37-48 spindles and 39-48 brakes, hubs, and drums. That kind of stuff is always being offered on the HAMB cl***ifieds. All of the small parts; wheel cylinders, hoses, etc. are available from antique Ford parts houses. And you can usually get good advice as well.
A dropped '47 axle might fit, depending on how it was dropped. Measure it and see. Spring perches are wider, maybe a custom spring? Easier to do a A thru '34 axle, a '32-'34 stock axle will give you an inch and a half drop and a reversed eye spring about the same for 3". '41 and earlier rears are only about 1/2" wider than A but need spring perches to fit.
If you get on line you can find the details of how to replace the old "juice brakes" with 1953 F-100 backing plates and bearing kit. You have to radius the inside bearing. I used 1966 F-100 wheel cylinders, shoes and adjustment because that set-up gives me a self adjusting brake system like the rear brake (Mustang). Here is some pictures of my set-up with the spring in front, and dropped axle.
The Jalopy Journal
