Axle prep question

I am prepping a 47-55 Chevy 1/2 ton axle for my first T / Cruiser / Rod build. I thought that I need to remove the current spring pad area to clean the axle up. It has been pointed out that this will weaken the axle and possible failure resulting in death.

I would like to install a transverse spring up front and where my "Bat Wings" or radius rod mounts would "normally" go is marked on the the axle where it starts to widen out.

I have come across a set of adapters for 41-55 Chevy axles:

I do not have $250-$$$$$$ to drop on an axle, and I would like to use this one before building a trailer out of it or scrapping it to be ground into a new Hybrid.

Any advice or suggestions?

 

There is no reason these wont work. We have use a simile adapter on our **** rod truck with a f100 Axle and suicide springs (some times you use what you have)
it is your ride build it as you can and want

 

You can certainly use that axle of you can't see beyond it. Or you could sell it to someone who needs it and buy the axle that you need with the procedes.

Sometimes you have to wait for the right parts to come along. I know you don't want to hear that but it is the truth.

That said folks use adapters like the one you pictured all the time. If that is where you are at than use the adapter.

 

Thanks guys,
I am in a hold pattern at this time, I would like to use the axle for my project but am not dead set on it.
I like the idea of something different as in the adapters but.......I may also clean it up a bit more and sell it.
This is going to be a long process of a build and I understand that I may have to wait for some things so time finding the one that I "just have to have!!!" is not an issue.

Thanks again

 

here is anothe way to treet the f-1 axle

 

here another angle sory is on something a little difrent

 

Gasser I sure like the looks of that setup. Nice and clean.

 

thanks not on at the time but used friction shockes mounted to the cross member

 

There is no reason you can't trim the spring pads flush with the axle. By that I mean cut thru the U bolt holes and grind the edge even with the rest of the axle.

If you do this you will need to make your own bat wings and weld them onto the axle. For some ideas how to do this, look at Roth's Outlaw, he did this on his car and coil springs to boot.

 

that's what I did on mine cut the pads ground the axle smooth drilled some holes and welded on some bat wings added the triangles on the side for a little extra strenght

 

Speedway and MAS products have inexpensive tone front axles that work good... but the original will be just as good and a lot cooler since it ain't store bought.

You can find Ford A axles for $50.00 all day long... do a "search" in the HAMB classifieds.