Choosing a drop axle.....SoCal, CE, L7, original?

What are your opinions on the two? I know that CE requires a special spring from them or Posies, and allegedly the CE is thicker like the 32 axle.

 

I am Pretty sure the CE is forged and machined domestically. Find out where the SO-CAL is forged and machined. I am sure you can get the correct spring for either from Posies. Your choice, I just prefer stuff made in OUR COUNTRY.

 

So-Cal has more room for undropped steering arms
I like that.
The So-Cal needs a special main leaf, too.

CE is thicker , but doesn`t look like a `32 axle in my eye...

 

I have had both. The so-cal axle is nice and thick like a 32 heavy. Just based on looks, I will choose the so-cal every time.

 

The So-Cal does not take a special main leaf. the so cal is a nicer axle as far as fittin the steering arms and everyone makes aprings for it. The CE is Made here. Your call I have had and run both. Both are forged.

 

Well......stock spring is 31 inches wide
So Cal axle needs a 29inch wide.
You can check on their website.

To me that is a special main leaf....

 

Theres' a hamb'r that uses original ford axles and drops them to your specs, if you are using early ford spindles he'll want them to mate to the axle for camber etc (SoCal or CE mention that?) and i think that that is all he does, in short he don't sell headers or thingymabobs. You might want to check him out: Joesspeedshop.com
I'm not sure what his name is on the hamb. I'll be ordering a dropped and drilled axle from him tomorrow.

 

Check out "lucky 7" axles, I think JW Garage sells them.

 

So I called both SoCal and CE.....CE's axles are forged in IL and machined down the street from CE's office in Iowa. SoCal has the forgings done in Malaysia and the machine work done here. Both axles are pretty much the same price, so I figure that CE has more overhead costs, but it IS going to American workers, I reckon. That and CE has a whole kit, so it might save some grief of putting a kit together by a bonehead like me. They said I'd need to get a pair of the 35-40 steering arms and drop them some more. SoCal says that's not necessary with theirs. Hmmm.....

 

i;ve used several of the CE axles , if i recall correctly they need a 30" spring

 

I saw this guy's stuff at SEMA last November. Good looking axles and he has all the peripheral stuff.

 

Too many choices! XP lol

 

I've done several ch***is with each and currently using the So-Cal because I don't have to stock special width springs. They use the same spring as the 46 inch Super Bell. I also like the feature of being able to turn stop to stop with a stock 37/40 style round spindle. Also the gennie style forged round spindle with the stock arms attached will be available shortly.

 

That's what I meant, a common hot rod spring not a stock 32 spring. I actually took a 46" superbell off and installed a SoCal and only need to change the tie rod and draglink everything else went right together.

 

Perhaps an additional question would be "Which option leaves the least amount to guessing, chance, and heat bending parts for a newb like me?"

 

Hamber 296 V8 is THE guy to go to for real deal axles....

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=253845

 

I'm not too hip on OEM stuff, plus, it's more expensive. I'm not above saying I use bolt-in parts. While it's the bee's knees for some, it's take it or leave it with me. Plus, I saw this on the ad:

Please be advised
Dropped original axles are NOT a simple bolt in.
Modifications are involved that I am not responsible for.
Such as bending or removing the stock steering arms on your spindles and shortening the tie rod..........
Additionally
I do not
Drill - fill or polish axles

The work looks top notch, but I like idiot proof the first time around the block.

 

I like the CE axles,and have used 3 in the past.HRP

 

I have one of each - was going to run the CE, but saw the pre-drilled So-Cal one and went that way. The overall finish quality of the So-Cal unit is quite a bit nicer than the CE (overall smoothness of the forging). Both are nice quality forgings - so you can't go wrong with either.

Truth be told, I do like the looks of the So-Cal one better than the CE.

But then again - how about a 4" dropped 'Heavy 32' axle . . . ****, they're all nice!

B&S

 

So-Cal axles are **** ugly and Chinese.Will not use another one.CE axles are nice and are made here....but I would go with a dropped Ford axle on my own car.Several HAMBERS do a nice job of dropping them.

 

I felt the same way just looking at the photos of them. I'm going to paint them ch***is black once I get whichever one I go with. However, I do like the package deal that CE has for $650. Whole lotta stuff all at once. Priced out individually it cost more. Don't wanna scrimp on something this important, but if all things are equal.....


Either way, I believe I've eliminated the desire for the Magnum 5" drop axle...a lot more cash for just a little more drop.

 

Just do yourself a favor and look closely at the way the spring perch area looks on those So-Cal axles. They look like the I-beam was created with a ball mill,nothing even close to the way a Ford axle looks.They also have an ugly bump sticking out along the front and back of the spring perch hole (parallel to the hole to add material ).I think they look like hell, and the box has a big 'ol "made in CHINA" on it.

 

Tell us how you REALLY feel! lol

Do you feel the same way about CE?

 

Magnum axle and hair pins under my 34 coupe, works great for me, Dave

 

Just because it comes new in the box doesn't mean it will bolt to your car. Have you got a guarantee from the vendor that the axle will fit with your wishbone (or hairpin, or four-bar)? He did guarantee? Did he ask what model/year it was? Because they almost all have a different amount of clearance for the tie rod underneath. Steering arm bending, here you come.

And did you think you wouldn't need to shorten the tie rod anyway?

NONE of this stuff just bolts in. That's what makes it fun.

 

Don't think that I don't plan on having to modify parts, that'd make me plain ignorant. However, starting from a foundational piece that makes sure you start as close to zero as possible can help mitigate losing ones mind further down the road. The rule of numbers seems to be in favor of higher quality NIB pieces, though. Also, if a new/just as reliable one can be had for $50 cheaper, the only real difference being using "original Henry steel", then for me it's not that much of a choice.

 

nostalgia sid in guthrie does axles too its in oklahoma

 

Wow...really dude??? Cheaper than repop stuff and it fits other old Ford parts like a glove....which is what the point is....right????

Unless yer deal is just buying all new stuff I guess.....

 

Then I would suggest buying a dropped original axle. You KNOW the wishbones and spring will be the correct size. You may have to bend the steering arms a little, and shorten the tie rod a touch, but that's minor stuff. There are tech threads in the archive to show you how.

 

If you can buy American, compared to some Malaysian mix of whatever they melt down...is there really even anything to decide? Probably a reason the So-Cal one is thicker...