Model a frame lowering help!

This is my first build and I have done lots of reading but now I am into the actual build. I built a model a frame and use the speedway motors model a crossmember, 4" dropped axle and the speedway reverse eye front spring. When I put the tape measure on this setup my frame with 28" tall tires is 13" which is not acceptable. I have a 292 yblock already in the car but the car is not finished. I think I need to find out a way to drop this car before I proceed with the build.

Ultimately I am planning 26" tall tires and would like the frame to sit around 10". I know that the 26" tall tire will provide some relief but I still have a long way to get to reach 10". Should I pull some leafs out of the front spring? Get a different front spring? I am kinda at a loss right now but I know I should be able to get around 10" or less so I get the right look.

Speedway front spring see attached photo.
Item #: 91033030

model a crossmember: see attached photo.
Item #:91657011

 

well, I also have an "A" with a 292 in it, I'm using a 48 axle with the spring in front of the axle. I reversed the main leaf and removed some leaves 2 i think. try that.

 

4" dropped axle with a flattened mono leaf and 5.60x15" tire...

 

That looks good!! What did you do in the rear? A frame step like in the "Bishop / Tardel book" or more??

Not trying to hijack this thread but planning a build for a 26 T roadster on an A frame and would like it as low as possible without cutting off the front horns or any steps in the front. Planning a step in the back like in the book..

 

Looks great to me! How low were you able to get the frame? What is the ride like with the mono leaf?

 

Just did the same thing with the same results. Long story short I notched the frame, de-arched the springs, put it all back together and had around 9" ground clearance. (with a stock crossmember). Here's hoping........ oh yeah, used a 4" drop axle and reverse eye super slider.

 

I used the same front end you are. The spring, although reversed, is arced more than a worn out stock one.
Use the reverse main leaf with your old spring pack or remove the too two leaves and try that.

My car is taller in the front than it was before.

 

posies super slider spring. That's what I did to get the front end down. Helped a lot. I had that same spring you have pistured, but it sat real tall even with springs removed. Expensive, but well worth it!

 

Did you de-arch the spring yourself? I checked with a local shop and it was crazy money to de-arch a spring.

 

2" rear kick-up..

 

stock crossmember and a posie ultra low super slide...think I took a leaf or so out and moved the spacers to the bottom. thinned the bottom of the stock crossmember. from what I remember the horns were a little less than 6" high with 145's...

forgot ....c notched the front rails and did a 3" or so kickup in rear...so it will tuck tireif the fenders ever show up.....

 

De-arching a spring is not hard, but I'd try removing two leaves first. A soft spring with reasonably robust shock absorbers gives a nice ride. If you want really low I think you're going to need to install a flat crossmember and notch the underside of the side rails for spring clearance. Removing leaves will get about 1", tires will get 1", flat crossmember will get 2", any more than that is going to require a swoop in the side rails.

 

I can cut this crossmember out and build a flat one. It looks like the one that I purchased is about 2 1/4" wide and the spring is 1 3/4". Can I use a piece of 2x2 tubing to build this or should I purchase a flat crossmember? I know that the arch is quite high on this new spring. I just checked the measurement and from the top of the axle to the bottom of the spring is 5".

 

the flat crossmember might give you some issues with radiator mounting but other than that.................jim widmer makes a flat style crossmember with mounting holes in case your looking at that route too......

 

Stock crossmember on my 29.. Notched side rails.. $20 and 10 minutes at the spring shop to flatten the mono-leaf to a 1 1/2" bow.. Rides find, no bump steer, no hitting of parts and no broken mono-leaf either.. Been together for 1 1/2 years...

 

So I installed my new spring today and still not happy with the current ride height of the model A frame.

This is the spring that I installed.

http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Super...nt-Spring-48-Inch-Axle-2-Inch-Drop,37344.html

I am going to post some photos and any insight would be great.

Craig

 

My frame is still at 11.5 inches with the motor and trans installed. I currently have a 27" tire on the front of this car with a 16" rim. I am think of going with a 15" tire with the Firestone 500-15 from Coker. that will help lower the frame. The height of the 500-15 Ribber Front tire is 24.5" that should drop my frame another 2" and should bring me to around 9.5"-10."

Does this sound like a good direction to go? It seems that I should be able to get that low without too much issue.

 

Look how close I am to the frame right now with the new spring. I seems like I will definitely need to notch the frame. How much can I notch it without sacrificing the integrity of the frame? How much do you think I should notch it 1"?

Craig

 

bump!

 

What's the angle of your shackles? They look a little shallow. Pile some weight on the front to simulate fluids, a full radiator, grille shell, lights, etc. then check the angle.

Then I'd see if you can make it knock into the frame first before getting into cutting. Jump on it.

You might be able to get away with just notching the inside & bottom of the rail if you need to notch at all.

But I don't know from experience yet, that's just what I'd do.

 

You may not have to notch it at all

 

maybe remove a few springs fro mthe pack. And do remember, this spring WILL settle. Mine settled a little uner 1.5 inches. And you will for sure have to notch that part of the frame. If you get it done, and still don't like it, Z it. Thats about all you really have left you can do. With your current configuration anyway.

 

Going from a 27" tire to a 24.5" tire will only give you a 1.25" drop.

 

I agree with the shackles I noticed them right away as well. I purchased the recommended spring from Speedway it is a Posie and I had a little struggle getting it on the shackles.

I am going to wait like you recommended to see where the spring might bump before doing any modification.

I guess I will keep moving forward and see how it goes!

Craig