Hi all, So I'm in the planing process of a '40's hotrod styled Dodge build. I'd like to keep it as 'Mopar' as I can. So I was thinking of running a Mopar front axle (probably parallel leafs), I have an eye on a 38 dodge one atm. Main problem is in Australia, you have to have disc brakes on the front for a hot rod build. Resto is fine for drums, but hotrod has to have discs. So my question is, is there a disc brake conversion out there for that era dodge? Or can stubs from one of the 100 aftermarket ford stubs packages from that era fit a dodge axle from '38 (or similar era)? The last option is of course just to run a full ford front end, but I'd like to do a close to period correct build and keep it in the Mopar vein. Plus if I do decide to go full 40's and use a ford flathead v8 (cos I really want a V8) then I don't want to end up with essentially a mopar shell on a ford every thing else if you catch my drift? My preference at this point though is for find an early poly or hemi, making it more of a 40's inspired 50's hotrod. Anyway your thoughts and help are appreciated. Cheers
I believe "Olddaddy" here on the Hamb makes a kit for that application. I run one on my '38 Chrysler with stock IFS, but I believe the "Steering knuckles" are the same. Here's his info: http://www.rustyhope.com/ On my '38:
I don't have an answer for you, but I am curious also because I have 38 plymouth truck axle for a future build.
Ghost: According to Charlie (aka Oldaddy) the truck axle and the early car IFS use the same spindle ***embly, so you could use the same disc conversion I did.
Thanks 4woody, I'll look into it! Do you know if the '38 dodge ran a tube axle? was it a Parallel leaf set up? Just looking at the photo I have of the one I was considering, its a tube axle and what I ***ume to be the mount points for the leafs are only 2 bolt and quite thin. Did the Dodges ever run suspension other then parallel leaf and IFS?
This suggestion is not keeping everything MOPAR! I have what is commonly called the wavy tube axle from, I believe 1934 MOPAR. The king pin diameter is slightly smaller than a early Ford King Pin. I used to recommend using a mill to change the King Pin diameter to the Ford size. On this axle I used a hand reamer and a crescent wrench, adjustable spanner in your world. Bought a set of 1949 Ford F1 spindles, for which there are readily available disc brake conversions. So people say the king pin inclination angle is different, front end shops bend Semi Truck axles so they should be able to bend a tube axle. The axle had small forgings for the parrel leaf springs.
On my desoto 41 have i used plymouth 52 56 spindels that i have move the bearing place so GM A-body disc brakes fit
I have a '32 Plymouth tube axle that I'm saving for a 1914 Dodge Touring build. Like designs that work mentioned, I was also told that the Mopar kingpin bushings could be reamed to accept early Ford spindles. A local hot rodder with a lot of build experience told me he thought the kingpin angles were the same as early Ford, but I haven't verified that yet. I'm thinking about going with underslung parallel leaf springs on it, so the spring perches will have to be moved anyway.
I should clarify a little more, I'm not against parts from other manufactures. I'd just like to have it a majority Mopar rod. Basically as if it was built from a full mopar car back in the day, with some other parts thrown in to make it better. So using ford spindles is A OK. I actually like the idea of using the ford spindle because of the amount of aftermarket parts available for them. Thanks for the heads up! I think the axle I'm looking at is a wavy tube axle. Makes sense. The spring perches, if I've identified them right, look REALLY small and weak. I've got a su****ion that I wont be allowed to modify the axles either. I KNOW that I can't drill 'light weight' holes in any front axle. I might look at getting an I-beam axle from a Dodge truck instead, if I can't find another suitable car one. Hemi-roid - I was thinking of an underslung ch***is at the front as well. Why were you thinking of moving the spring perches? Did you want to run the axle on top of the leafs rather then under them?
Yes, that's exactly what I'm planning to do. Yours sounds very similar to mine in many ways. Most of the parts will be Mopar. The '32 Plymouth front axle, a '14 Dodge Touring body and radiator shell, maybe a Dana 44 rear end, and a '57 Chrysler 392 engine. I'll probably have the early Ford front spindles and disc brake set-up, and the Hemi is in my current ride with a 700R4 overdrive trans that is working well. I'm not fanatical about the Mopar theme, but thought it would be nice to carry it through wherever practical. The Plymouth tube axle with the wave is a great looking piece. I'm hoping a long wheelbase and some good parallel leaf springs will give a good ride. Underslung with the axle between the springs and frame should give nice a low stance. Right now it's just a pile of parts for lack of extra hot rod money, but someday... I have a couple of photos that I'll try to post soon.
Pics would be great. Sounds like your project is in a very similar vein to mine! Although I'm even further behind you, I've only got the body sorted. The rest will come as I find the parts and finish of the other project on the go atm. I'm still deciding on exactly what I'm trying to achieve and how to go about it. Trying not to be a bull at a gate and have to get three of every thing! Cheers
I used a kit from Ply Do that put 2nd gen Camaro rotors and calipers on my stock '36 Dodge pickup forged axle. Been on 8 years now, still no problem.
Here are a couple of pics that are close to what I have planned. The first pic is a friend's car mocked up during construction. He's building an underslung front suspension that looks similar to my plan. The second is a car from a magazine that is sort of the look I want. Mine will have an underslung front suspension with different wheels (haven't decided on those yet). The Hemi will have either side pipes, or under the car exhaust. I could go fenderless, or with fenders and running boards if I find a nice set. I haven't decided that yet either. Like I said, a big pile of parts and a basic idea so far. My current rod is running fine, so that will keep me happy until this gets built someday. Cheers!
On the camaro set up did u use the camaro bearings or the Dodge bearings I truer the bearings for an 1980 camaro. But the inner was to big on the stub axle
My uncle started building his Henry J G***er in 1970. (He stopped in 1971-more the shame)One of the key components was a chrome 36 Plymouth front axle, which had been fitted with 65 Mustang Disc Brakes. I don't have any more info, but it wasn't a kit, it was all factory Ford.
I might be kinda late with this info but, maybe it'll be helpful for someone with an early Dodge axle ( I'm not sure of the vintage of my tubular axle, but it's a Dodge double smile type, possibly 1936). I bought a kit from olddaddy@rustyhope.com It included spindle bearing spacers and caliper brackets and uses GM calipers, pads, and rotors. All other hardware was specified, but, the bearing spacers in the kit were too large on ID (1.25") compared to my unknown year Dodge spindles (1.190"). I'm not too sure why the diameter problem but olddaddy informed me that spindle bearing diameters varied. I had to pay a machine shop $315 to drill and tap the brackets and make two precision sleeves to compensate for the diameter problem. Installed, the parts work just fine. Ralph
don't be shy about moving the perches on a wavy tube ...they are tacked on with two small welds and when i moved mine the only way you knew was the paint.
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