Dropped spindles are on cars with independent front ends like 52 Chevys. On the old Fords you use a dropped axle.
[ QUOTE ] you mean a dopped axle? [/ QUOTE ] No I meant spindles. I know a dropped axle is another way to do the same thing. With a dropped spindle or axle you are lowering the ground to axle clearance so I've just wondered why dropped spindles aren't use to do the same thing on non IFS cars. Seems like it would be easier to remove and replace spindles to lower a car rather than replace the whole axle, where you'd have to remove and replace the spindles anyway. For you front end gurus, is there a tech reason dropped spindles are not used?
[ QUOTE ] For you front end gurus, is there a tech reason dropped spindles are not used? [/ QUOTE ] I suppose if you wanted to make a complicated spindle, it could be done. But to keep the front end simple, dropped axles are usually the way to go. Plus the axle is cheaper to make.
i agree , a dropped axle is the way to go...but if you really want dropped spindles , there is one way.. it involves cutting of the stub shaft off the spindle and bolting on an early 70's AMC outer spindle...the four holes just about line up. it will give you about an 1-1/2" drop, another benift to this is you also get disc brakes there was an aricle on this in an old Rod & Custom or R & C quarterly
The axle mounts to the center of the spindle with a kingpin. If you want to lower the car by changing the spindles you'd have to add a lower portion on the spindle for the axle to go to. That would do 2 things. 1:Make the spindle heavy and complicated. 2:Create a lever that is subject to stress in the added section of the spindle. To stand above the crowd you can make a small platform for yourself or dig a huge hole for the crowd to stand in. You're digging the hole.
choprods , i've never done it... i just remember the article , i recall that they were just bolted , but the spindle also had to be machined to accept a stub from the AMC spindle , so that would take most of the load it appears it never became very popular...maybe there is a reason for that? , i'd like to find the arctcle , i'm looking for it now
AMC spindles bolt on with four 3/8" bolts, and did from 49 to 87. Matter of fact, an 87 spindle will bolt onto a 49, disc brakes and all.
And if you like AMC spindles, check out American Hotrod tonight. You'll love Boyd's Model T with the Gremlin windows.
I have doen the AMC deal on a stock HenryJ front end. Worked nicely. BTW, Henry J front ends are actually Shoebox Ford IFS'
Sandman had a set of those dropped spindles and was looking to get rid of them. He probably still has them if anyone wants some. They are good ones because they were used for many years and are proven.
I've started to answer this thread a couple times but deleted it because it started sounding insulting. I'm not trying to insult anybody but here goes again. It's all about leverage and stress load. That's what makes steering work or not work. Think about it. The spindle is in the center of the king pin for a reason. The bushings wear fast enough as is. Then factor in what the brakes do and maybe you will understand why it's not ready availbol after market part. The Wizzard
piston broke , i'm not taking it as an insult..you are probabilly right ,but it is just one way of dropping `40 spindles.. i've never done it , and never will his request just reminded me of an old article like i said before , there must be a reason it never became popular
[ QUOTE ] I've started to answer this thread a couple times but deleted it because it started sounding insulting. I'm not trying to insult anybody but here goes again. It's all about leverage and stress load. That's what makes steering work or not work. Think about it. The spindle is in the center of the king pin for a reason. The bushings wear fast enough as is. Then factor in what the brakes do and maybe you will understand why it's not ready availbol after market part. The Wizzard [/ QUOTE ] None of that sounded insulting to me. It was just a simple question with a simple answer: lever arms. All the AMC talk is pretty interesting too.
[ QUOTE ] I've started to answer this thread a couple times but deleted it because it started sounding insulting. I'm not trying to insult anybody but here goes again. It's all about leverage and stress load. That's what makes steering work or not work. Think about it. The spindle is in the center of the king pin for a reason. The bushings wear fast enough as is. Then factor in what the brakes do and maybe you will understand why it's not ready availbol after market part. The Wizzard [/ QUOTE ] I think camber comes into this conversion somehow. You're suppost to be able to draw a line through the king pin and have it land in the center of the tire tread footprint.
Thank's Guys. Some time when I try to get to basic with an explanation it starts to read poorly. Glad you understood what I wanted to say. Here's a little trick I've done many times That wil have some shaking there heads. Take the Ford spindle and turn the shaft down to 1/2" dia full length. Cut it down to 2 1/2" long. Then take that A.M.C. spindle and face the back side flat. Now bore the bearing shaft from the back side 1/2" I.D. 2 1/2" deep. Press the two together. Now do a perimeter weld. Disc brakes and no bolt on adapter or bearing spacers. I've done many different combinations of this and no regrets. The Wizzard
I have seen and used made up dropped spindles on two heavy cars (58 impala & 61 Chrysler s/w) and had no problems with ether. The process involves welding 4 together to make 2. obviously quality welding is involved. I dont see much difference in doing this or zing a frame or hanging a front end off a little home made spring perch. Probably a lot less leverage on a spindle than a suicide perch.
Pat Barnhart's "E-ticket Ride" Dropped axle and the dropped AMC/Ford spindles. There is a set at the shop, I'll try to go get some pictures of them.
Can you do this and keep the early drums, cause they look better on a fenderless car. Any pix on this setup?
[ QUOTE ] Pat Barnhart's "E-ticket Ride" Dropped axle and the dropped AMC/Ford spindles. There is a set at the shop, I'll try to go get some pictures of them. [/ QUOTE ] Pat's my HERO !!!
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