I'm looking at a early 40s chevy with Jag rear end / Kugel front end. Looking for some feedback. Planning a trip soon to inspect and drive the car.
I have a Kugel phase 2 in my 49 Thames and have put 27000 trouble free miles on it pulling 2 to 3 foot wheelies. Call Jerry Kugel if you have any questions or concerns. 562-691-7006.
the kugel IFS rides great and with Omni rack steers quickly. The jag rear end with or without stock springs shocks also rides great, have one in my 35 coupe since 74. I added a SCHROEDER nascar type splined SWAY BAR to the rear end , .800 bar thickness and immediately stiffened the ride but took away any body roll, which is what I was after ....... You can find the 7/8" splined bars in 24...26 and 35" widths and in varying bar thicknesses on ebay usa. Generally and in this case with a jag you will need the wider bar. If the rear end is a narrowed one.................e type at 53" track you might need to get Schroeder in calif make you one. Most of the ones on ebay are used from former nascar teams disposing of older parts. or sellers who specialize in acquiring and selling those parts. The sway bar will probably have to be mounted behind the rear end depending on the width of your frame and the pinion snubbing bars in front. You will see when you get the truck up on a hoist. mike
The Jag rear is a reliable, smooth-riding piece if installed right. Two things to look at; if this is an inboard brake rear, check to see if the axle seals are good. These can tend to get baked over time and leak. The other thing to check is see if/how the outer suspension arms are installed. These will be between the frame and the uprights and need a very compliant bushing at the frame (as installed originally). Solid mounts will cause binding unless the front pivot point is moved inwards to match the inner lower control arm pivots.
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