Need advice on determining where exactly the rear axle center line (9" Ford) should be on my 32 aftermarket frame. I am mating a 1931 5 window coupe body hi boy on a a 32 frame (aftermarket: not sure of the manufacturer) and need advice on precisely where to mark the rear axle center line so I can set up my 9" ford rear suspension. I am running a 32 ford rear frame mounted gas tank. After looking at pictures of several similar cars, it looks like the body is often a little farther forward from the gas filler cap than typical of a 32 body ( maybe 1.5" or so where as a 32 body is pretty close to the filler cap). Nevertheless, can anyone with experience with 32 frames offer advice where the rear axle center line should be marked on my frame? Thanks for any help!
I dont think you should be measureing off the gas cap. I believe the wheel base for a 32 is 106 and since you got the front end on that would be a good place to start. Mine already had the rear crossmember in so that dictated where it went, but the vertical rib in the fender well is pretty well centered on the axle. Also it would make sense that the axle would travel up to the highest point so you get the most suspension travel.
I'd set the body on and grill and get the look your looking for. I've seen many that are not in perportion meaninig the grill to body is way off. Nothing looks worse than a huge space between the body and grill. I've seen some you could lay a 8 ft sheet of plywood between the two..............not cool.
Photo one looks right,the centre should match the body wheel arch not the ch***is. It has nothing to do with the 32 wheel base other than running clearance issues. Nice looking coupe. JW
Will be running fenderless I know, rock chips but I want fenderless Hiboy. Just trying to figure out where to mount the body and center rear axle.
Wouldn't you drop a plumb line from the front spindle, measure back 106", and plumb line your rear axle. Then measure the Model A wheelwell, find center, and plumb line down to the same mark? Wheelwell, rear axle and the mark on the floor should all line up at 106". No? Ralph
To be safe, I would get the body sitting level on the frame, get the wheels and tires on the rear end and then place it where the tires look right in the wheel housing at ride height and then and only then mount the rear end....
I used the Wescott dwg. To locate the rear axle on my coupe. It locates the rear axle 28" forward of the most rearward edge of the frame horn. The front crossmember is 106" forward of the rear axle, and the rear wheel well is centered on the rear axle...
The 32 frame is a strong, well made aftermarket frame but I don't know who made it. The seller said Mr Roadster but not sure. It has the model A type front crossmember but I don't know if it's 1"forward or not. Rear is not setup for transverse buggy spring which I star ted to run but I'm switching back to coil overs.
Thanks Chopted Top and others. I did find this on Wescott's site: http://www.wescottsauto.com/WebCatalog/Tech/FrameDiagram1932.pdf
This is where it gets confusing. From rear axle centerline to center of spring tie bolt hole in the crossmember shows 106", but if the caster is taken into consideration, the caster angle would push the spindles forward resulting in a wheelbase greater than 106". If you then measured 106" back from a plumb line on the spindles that wouldn't put the axle in the right position relative to the hole in the crossmember. Bob
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