Hi guys - Cleaning up (de-street rodding) the front end of the chassis for my 1934 Ford Vicky. As you can see in the photos it has laid back coil overs and a 4-bar, to go along with a tube axle. And yes, the aluminum rims are also going away as well! Quick change now rebuilt and staying, attached via 4-bars. As for a replacement front-end: I prefer split bones, but would consider hairpins. I have several sets of 1937 unsplit bones that I could split and use. Is this a preferred year of bones? Right length, appearance, etc or would another year be "better"? How wide of a dropped axle should I use if going fenderless? 46"? How much drop would you recommend? 4"? Spring width? Spring over or behind? Appreciate your input. Haven't done a 1934 before and only want to make the investment once unlike the other times I have spent 2x what I should have because I didn't do enough research upfront, changed my mind, went a different direction, etc. thanks, Bantam
Guys - Appreciate the sell and buy a new chassis comments, but I would not be able to sell this chassis, which requires a "unique and special buyer" that would appreciate its unique attributes, and repurchase one that makes me happy without a significant exchange of dollars. Simply put, it would be hard to find somebody that would want this chassis as-is and would pay a fair price for it. Best option for me is to update the front suspension to one that is more traditional. Appreciate responses to the questions above. thanks Bantam
Do you want it low, or REALLY low? Is there ever a chance you might put fenders on it? If you want just normal driveable low, go with a spring over axle setup into the crossmember that's already there. If you want it superlow, try a spring behind the axle, but that will require a bunch more fabrication and custom components. How adept at fabrication are you? If you are asking basic questions like you did above, I'd probably just stick with the spring above axle combo. Go with a 4" drop axle. And you might as well get a 46" axle as they fit better under fenders in case you ever put some on. You can get a fairly flat spring to get you even lower without modifying the crossmember. May need some notches on the bottom of the framerails though. I think some hairpins will look great, and give you adjustability of your caster, which wishbones won't do. Look at the Pete & Jake's catalog for lots of good parts that will all work together.
I agree with your****essment about being easier and cheaper to fix your current chassis. And I also agree with all that alchemy said previously. I am just too agreeable this morning...
If I were building a '34 and needed and was not using what I had on hand I would use a '34 axle fenderless or with fenders wouldn't make any difference to me. I prefer a spring over setup for my own rides. If you are using the tube axle or a tube axle then you want to go hairpins or 4 link, they will work with radius rods but it is not the preferred method not even by me and I am a salmon most of the time. These are the rods that you already have? Yes? Nope no wants them at all, do you want my address? Yes those are good radius rods for a hotrod. You just cut the***** off the front of the rod and run with them. You will want to use those if you are running a forged axle for sure or I would.
Problem is ... I see the route your going.. And you have become " traditionally inspired" Here's the thing once you cut off what you don't want... Ain't much left but a couple rails... Believe it or not even though traditional is the new black.. There are street rodders out there that would buy a rolling chassis.. Sell that thing, buy a kiwi konnection frame set up for a rear transverse spring and ladder bars send them the old ford parts you want to use wishbones ect.. , I bet you'd be money ahead vs. half way'n on a streetrod frame
dang! those are some ugly wheels flatten the front crossmember, and notch the frame, reversed eye spring f1 ford shock mounts and a Sids dropped axle remove ends from radius rods and set the caster where you want it and re-weld sell the tube and 4 bar
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