Hot Rods 5" dropped axle! Anyone use one?

So I was browsing for a dropped axle for my 35 ford and came acrossed Joes 5" dropped axles. Just was curious to see if anyone has used one and their thoughts.

I plan on running reverse eye posies with a coupl leafs taking out and would like to be lower than the normal 35-36 out there but not really interested in splitting the wishbones or really modifying things too much.

George

 

Don't think you can have it both ways.

 

Yeah I figured but just thought I'd ask.

 

Just a thought.. I'm building a model A pickup and put a 46"X 4" drop axle which is 2" narrower than stock (48") This moves the wheels closer in and allows a deeper drop. With the tires more centered under fender.

 

When you flatten the spring a lot you might have interference between the wishbone and the steering box mount. Also the rear portion of the oil pan around the flywheel. Check those spots before you go barreling down the road.

 

BE SURE TO READ ALL THE PAGES OF THIS THREAD. Tons of info. to consider.
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/lower-the-40-ford.777719/

A 5 in. dropped axle is way to much. You would be better off using a 4 in. dropped axle with the dropped steering arms, and Posie reversed eye super low spring.

 

I appreciate it guys. I guess that's why you don't hear about that many people doing it. I was just curious about them.

 

By the time you put a 4" drop axle, reversed eye spring and leaves taken out it will be to low at that point. I like low and set my full fendered 32 up the same way. I had to raise it up because tire rub. Looked *****in in the driveway but not on the road.

 

not the first one to experience this

 

I just used a 4" dropped axle from CE and a Posies reversed eye spring on the 36. I used 40 bones and a narrower axle. Not much rub on mine.

 

Also have to watch for scrub. 5 inch axle and a 15 inch wheel tends to drag the spring perch if you get a flat.

 

Remember, if it sits too low you will need two jacks to change a flat tire. One to raise the frame.
One to raise the axle. I know this from personal experience.

 

I had Joe drop a heavy 32 axle for me this winter and he did a nice job but had a delay or two so it took a few extra weeks to get it done. He did a five inch drop and I'm running a reversed eye spring and I've taken a couple leaves out. I'd still like to go lower but I have 5.50 firestones on the front and they aren't very short. I may have to go with something shorter. I'm also using split 34 wishbones and to mount the rear of them at the bottom of the frame and have the castor right, we had to heat the axle and put a pipe wrench and cheater bar on top of the king pin boss bending the axle forward. I've run 5 inch drop axles on fendered cars too. The biggest challenge there is getting one narrow enough.

 

Not if you have a bumper jack.

 

Any problems with steering arms and split wishbones not clearing??

 

I had Okie Joe bend the steering arms when he dropped the axle and he set them to go about 1/4 inch above the split bones which looks like it should work fine. We are limited on how low we can drop the frame in front because it needs to be above the tie rod but that looks good too. The next time I do this, I may C notch the frame in front to clear the tie rod and drag link better in case I want to set it even lower.

 

1. As for jacks and flat tires - I prefer the small scissors jacks that come in a lot of late model cars. They are small and can go down to a coupe inches or so.