I have searched till my eyes are crossed but I can't find this subject addressed anywhere. Is there any reason I can't run a 37 axle with the spring out front on my 29 sedan build? I understand that my split bones will do two things, affect my turn radius if I mount the bones to far out on the frame and I will need a different spring from Posie to fit the narrowed perch mounts out front (after I heat and bend them for alignment). My original plan was to mount the spring behind the axle but that seems silly since it's already mounted on the front? I have room to slide my crossmember forward to keep the wheel distance close to the same. That should also give me some extra room for my engine compartment by sliding the radiator forward too. I am running fenderless, no hood anyway. A big thanks to Carter who warned me about the turn radius and helped me work through some other issues I was having. Now I am here to learn. What can you tell me about this project?
I assume your '37 axle is the tubular kind? If I had one of those, I'd want to show it off. Put the axle in front of the spring. If it's a common beam axle, never mind.
Sure it's OK and easily doable as you have determined. If you look back in the old little books you'll see everything from T roadsters to 34 roadsters with the stock 35-38 spring in front axle assemblies out front. THUS it is most traditional and accceptable. You'll probably want to remove a few leaves from the spring for a better ride. Watch your clearances. Enjoy. Ford moved the springs behind the axle in back and forward of the axle up front to increase the spring base of the cars to achieve a better ride without having to re-engineer their entoire suspension to keep up with the competition already moving to IFS and dual leaves out back.
You've already solved the issue of it shortening up the wheelbase by about 6 inches by moving the crossmember forward, but the only other thing a spring in front does is it doesn't readily give you a spot to mount your grille shell in line with the axle centerline. Lots of cars have been built with them but generally the radiator ends up forward of the axle, and from the side that can look a little odd sometimes. But some very nice cars have been built with the grille shell out in front, so I only mention it so you know that going in. Don
There was a thread a while back with spring in front of axle rods pictured. They can look real smooth when done properly. I think it takes a little planning to get everything to lie correctly but they can be just as sweet as sugar pie. I keep a pair of '37 Yolks around just for that special rod when the time comes. Here is a link I found, some of the pics are red xs but there are a few examples here. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=313994&highlight=spring+in+front+of+axle
I cut the front cross member at a 45 from the frame/firewall side inward on both sides & that gave me something to clamp to, so in other words I put the crossmember infront of itself & filled in the space & made new radiator mounts/drill holes. Fast & Easy & no firewall mods. need for Y-block.
Sooooo that would be a no from you then. People either really like them that way or they really don't like them that way. No one is on the fence that I have ever met.
Thanks for the help guys. I just wanted to make sure I wasn't missing something. I'll post some pictures as I get a little farther along. To quote Johnny Cash: This build has got me "in a fever, hotter than a pepper sprout". Can't wait to get it done!!!
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