Ok, i know guys have used these axles for this but i cannot find any article on how to put the tye rod in front of the axle nor do i see anyone leaving it behind. So how do i use this axle on a bucket frame? would like to use the box and collumn as well. Thanks for any help from a new hamber!!!!!
A friend of mine used an Econoline on a '30 Plymouth with parallel leafs...rear steer...bent the steering arms down to clear the frame...
Tho I have never used a complete econoline axle ***embly (I use the spindles on a tube axle). I have a friend that has one mounted suicide style. With a set of home made split bones type arms going out from the frame mounts to the stock Econoline spring mounts and bolted thru a 1/2" rubber pad. The spring/ shackles are mounted behind the axle, thru the bones, with a shock mount. The stock tie rod arms were bent down a bit to clear the bones. The steering arm was cut off (It's ugly) and a Hot Rod style arm was bent out of bar stock and threaded to fit the left backing plate/spindle area. With a tapered hole/plate welded in on the drag link end. This is on the front of a 27 "T" touring body. Been on the road since the late seventies. No front end problems.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- I think your asking for trouble here. Homemade axle on a bucket "T" would better be built with something other than Econoline. The Econoline axle is pretty wide, has parrallel springs, and the steering box is ahead of the axle on an Econoline. Get a "T" front axle from MAS in St. Paul (651-644-6811 ). They are reasonably priced, and you can get all the components to make it work the way it should.
A few years ago there was a book going around called "How To Build A T-Bucket Roadster On A Budget". The author used an Econoline axle. He torched off the edges of the spring pads and dressed them down with a grinder to make it look better. The car looked pretty good. If I can find it tonight I will give you more info on it if no one else has not already done so. Rusty
i would love to see that book! also, thanks lakesmod for the pics, i will certainly have more pics for you. i understand that there are places that sell great and easy to use parts for hot rods, including axles. however, i built kit models as a kid and am done with that. I also really enjoy fabricating as i think many of us do. I firmly believe that parts can be reused on a budget and be safe. i worry about the future of the sport when every car you see was built out of mail order parts. Lets bring back the engineering to the game. Not trying to insult anyone Thanks for the help!
Godofgsx, I found the "How To Build...." book tonight. The author was Chester Greenhalgh, a Florida car builder. It was published by Motorbooks International. This guy gives you templates for the bracketry and frame kickup and tons of detailed info on using a Chevy donor car for drive train parts. He uses an Econoline axle and disc brakes from the donor(bracket templates provided)and provides lots of detail like bearing part numbers. I guess this is not all that "traditional" but I learned a lot from this book. I don't know if it is still in print. If you can't find it PM me a fax number and I will zerox the section on the front axle and send it to you. Rusty.
Met Don Coccimiglio from PA a few years ago and I understand his T-bucket uses an Econoline axle (and I wouldn't doubt Econoline box).
Now thats a cool little bucket! Isn't really 100% nostalgic if you get right into the details but it sure is the kind of "Modern" Rod that can fit in here perfectly. This is where Hot Rodding would have gone if the big builders hadn't adopted the smooth style of ****era, popularized by the "Boydster" hisself. It was only pushed on us because its cheap to m*** produce anyway... I think late axles and many other modern parts are fine when used by individuals doing homebuilt Hot Rods and using some common sense in their parts selection. The smooth style is way overdone and the idea of having to BUY all your parts from the aftermarket is just the result of excellent AD campaigns. Upgrading your junkyard parts is a different story...its the Hot Rod way!!! I'd rather see a proud set of GM calipers on homebuilt brackets than a set of those "hidden disc" finned drum knock-offs any day. That isn't Hot Rodding. Hot Rodding is the REAL DEAL. Do it your way...don't think you need to fit a certain "mold" to have a Hot Rod! EDIT...Oh yeah...do a search here for "Ackerman" to learn more about switching your tierod to the front. It's been gone over many times and needs to be considered carefully.
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