46" vs 47" front axles

I am looking to purchase a forged front axle for my 32 coupe project and need some help.

I see that both 46 and 47 inch king pin centers are offered in many brands.

I am running Buick drums on 37-40 spindles .

which axle size should I selected and why?

Thanks
Mike

 

I'm running a 46" on the '33 but it's full fendered with 205/75r15 tires...

 

The stock axles were something like 50" wide, as I remember, but the aftermarket ones usually come in 46-48" widths. Mostly because we lower our cars and the narrower axle lets the tires tuck under without rubbing the fenders. Also, when a stock axle is dropped that process can narrow the width unless the axle is stretched back.

46 is a little narrow, but I ran one on my 23 and it was ok, but a 48 incher is slightly better as it gives an extra inch of tread width and some additional tire room on hard turns. I would suggest you get the 48 inch one if you have a choice.

Don

 

I see so cal ch***is engineering and lucky 7 offer 47

Don't see 48

Thanks

Mike

 

I believe I would go with the 46 inch axle.
Especially if the Buick drums are on the outside of the Ford hub. The drum would add to the width.

 

Here is a picture of my 46 inch axle with Buick drums, for some perspective:

Don



And this one is 48 inches wide:

 

Speedway carries a 48 incher.

http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Super-Bell-48-Inch-Filled-Axle-4-Inch-Drop,9661.html

 

Cool little car Don.

 

what you plan on using for wheels/tires and their offset is one thing to consider when selecting the axle width. if you will have fenders or not is another

 

Thanks Steve, it looked cooler when I took your Sue for a cruise in it. I just got to see it again a Billetproof, and the new owner is taking very good care of it.

Don

 

Love that black and copper T!!

 

fronts will be Stock 40 ford wheels and cokers.

want to be able to use fenders some day ...things change , don't want to be locked into this forever.

 

46" are more commnly used with Disc Brakes and 47 with Drum Brakes on 32 to 34 Fords.

 

would buick drum setup be wider than the stock setup since they use 46-48 hubs?

 

I think if you want a forged axle then 47" is your choice unless you drop a stock axle. 46" and 48" are usually cast axles

 

narrow axle for fendered car and wide axle for hiboy.

 

Not on my car, I run Lincoln backing plates, 47 Hubs with Buick Drums, and the hubs are on the outside of the drums.

 

well would 47 be the concensus then? Iam not willing to run a cast axle.

 

I didn't know that anyone was still selling a cast axle. Live and learn I guess.

If it was my car and I was running fenderless I would prefer the wider axle. I like a wider front track width as a rule for stability at speed. granted it I was building a narrow car like a bucket T the narrower axle would work as well because the rear track width would not be as wide.

 

When I ordered my axle from Posies the first thing he asked me was if I was running fenders or was it a Hi- Boy. I said fenders and he said 46" is what you want, if it was me and you want fenders some day I'd go with the 46". Mine is a Model A.

 

I understand that superbell's axles are cast not forged.

 

My axle was narrow, a jeep axle, but I changed it to a wider 1956 ford pickup axle. As I changed from a recirculating ball box to rack and pinion steering when I changed the axle It is not possible to say where the improvement came from, but it steers lighter, faster and more positively. I cut 1.5" out of the axle's length so the spring pads ended up the same but it is still wider than the previous axle.

 

Thans everyone for the imput. I went with 46, I figure someday I stick fenders on it.

 

Original ,Ch***is Engineering, So Cal and some lesser known brands are forged axles. Your Magnum and Super Bells are cast.