In my short time in collect parts ( less a year ) in build a hot rod, several ideas and body styles has come up and I chanched my mind Many times ! Its not a issue really as its fun to. -Same goes on front axles. What drop, what year, drilled or not, chromed or just nickel or not. :- ) I had gone from pre-war to after war and now very late 40’s and to 50 or max 52. I learned that all cool speed parts was or Very seldome used early 50’s as S/W Wing gauges/panels, Kinmount brakes, Lincoln brakes, Adurn heads, blowers, remove fuel tank, QC, Bell Auto parts, Halibrand wheels, chromed parts and so on. I can’t say but this speed parts excisted but maybe the hot rodders, street or lake or sprint mud race never used it ? Still it was advertised. Few or non are alive now more than older guy’s that heard storys or what we can see in books ( but this books or old catalogs is expensive ) so better to try see it free and then bought parts instead for the money. But do I need be era correct ? It was and still are hot rods. I still fuzz with the idea ; whats the gain bought very expensive old junk parts if I then bought a set of new Adurn heads etc. -Maybe you get the point. Ok over to front axles. First I bought a Henry 32 frame and idea was a 3W 32. It was a USA ’big name’ that dropped the 34 axle in the deal in frame and I thought it was a ’heavy’. Seller said I take it back. Then I saw a very cool old chrome axle and I thought ot was a ’heavy’. I soon found out it was a 34 axle so I forgot all about the heavy ones. I did made a deal with this same shop A on a dropped 34 but the guy was total impossible to deal with so I got the money back. I did learned via A what a ’heavy’ axle was. It was cool for a 32 but I did try find one here in Sweden, but it was impossible and rusty ones I found in US was up over 1K. So one day I walked over a std 34 and got a name here whos dropped them correct not get king pin hole oval. I was Ok and ready for mock-up. But in my trips to collect parts I recently came over a very nice std 32 axle and same guy dropped the 34 would do this to. Not 4” as the 34 but maybe 3” vs a nice ’curve’. Between this I has not figure out chromed or not or drilled. But get to 1950 I could drill it - but a No. I could chrome it, but again ’did the guys’ chromed it for LA street racing ? Show cars ( if it was any ) = Yes, but racers, No... ( or ? ) But latly I has been into chrome the heavy. But in my trip yesterday to collect a set of Halibrand smooth side wheel ( Yes, another change from ’written in stone’ Ford 40... ) but I did saw a beutiful old deep chromed ( but never used ) I did like the way dropp was done ruff and seller said ; done in the 50’s in LA and its a A-Ford. Price was Ok ( always better here in Sweden than USA ) as its a kind of economic depression here now. A-Ford feel hot rod but today reseach this I note it’s a 34 and its actually wider than my Sweden made dropped 34. Not a big deal from a A-Ford, but.. So picture show the first axle I mentioned/chromed ( made in the 50’s but not for sale = but look at drop ) Then second picture ( 2 pics ) is my new 34. One can see they both are or could be done from same guy. See the 34 dropped ( red ) I got with the 32 frame from shop A. Then the Sweden dropped 34. —- -But question is, should I use this chromed old school dropped 34 or go ahead with the 32 heavy ( polish and chrome )
I have had quite a number of 32 Heavy axles dropped by Greg Haynes/Anson Axles. He has done minor repairs that they needed then dropped them. Every axle he dropped for me have been perfect. Early on I got involved with another dropper but the quality of his drops did not compare. I have only had Greg drop 32 heavies for me. I have sold several of his axles for $1000. I currently have a couple dropped and another that needs dropped. I'm a picky old fart and will only put a 32 heavy on an old timey style 32. I did use a lot of CE axles on my customer chassis when they were available. I've retired form the chassis business but for the last few years I was using dropped axles from Roadster Supply. I've also had Greg drop a few of them to 5 inches. Go to Anson Axles Instagram page for a look at lots of his work. A true craftsman.
I has a heavy axle as mentioned. -Question was to chrome/polish that or use this old school dropped and chromed axle. The guy in Sweden does great works. Se a picture from his last years production and its hevy ones and 34. As I has a traditional 32 coupe its nice with a 32 axle on it. Yes, its 2 styles to use it, std or to go the slimmer 34. But whats cool with the 34 that drop was tuff made. Its not to be found a real answer here, but..
Yes. I’m not going anyway else. He has my 32 heavy ( soon done ) But when I get it, what axle is the most cool to use. Both will be polished/chromed. The heavy is beefy in its way and stock 32 and dropped in a nice curve. I know it was pupular use a beefy and stronger axle and some even welded them up. The 34 is slimmer and has the old way more ruff dropp.
that chrome one, - looks amazing - Preferred choice - or as you put it - most cool to use, is one of those ‘32 ‘heavy’ ones…………
Here’s my thoughts, FWIW. I had a chromed dropped axle. Just the axle. Then thought okay, chrome the backing plates. Okay, chrome chrome, chrome it all. Now started thinking of he chain reaction this was going to cause, plus the financial implications. I sold the axle to get it out of my mind. Drilling them sometimes appeals to me, other times not. But polished and painted is more to my liking.
Budget36. Yes you on the spot.. I decided on chrome vs black to first mock-up then decided that. Right now I can't make that choice. But one day I will ! I saw a black A-Ford roadster ( 4-cyl ) with a beutifal polished axle and painted black and minor nickel plated parts, and it was amazing nice ! All chromed up is not my cup of tea. Drilled can be Ok, but not on this car. But as I was told chrome came in for hot rods early 50's so if money on chrome it was just the axle, maybe some other small parts. So if I decided to go with this axle or a polished/chromed heavy future will tell. -Thread here was basic what axle ; a heavy or a 34... ;- )
The only “heavy” axles made in 1932 were used on the big trucks. Every time someone calls a 32 axle heavy just shows they don’t know that they are all like that. Just call them 32 axles.
Alchemy I think many people refer to the stock 32 axle as a heavy because some times the stock front 32 axle was replaced with the later 33-36 axle. It's just a term that's been used over the years that refers to the nomenclature of the axle. While the truck axle is definitely heavy it was not used under cars. I guess in your eyes all the people that have over the years referred to the stock 32 axle as a heavy are wrong?
I think I know how to see this. But I might use wrong names. If I'm wrong here = correct me. Not att 32 axles on 32 cars was 'heavy' but most was. I heard some cars had a slimmer ones to. I has seen several std 32 ( cars = not trucks ) As I see them in a car and its 32 axle or I call them = 'heavy'. ( more easy to understand ) The A-Fords and the 33/34 up to 36 was slimmer. I found this picture.
Hank, your picture has it right. Over the years many 32 axles have been replaced with 33-36 axles, but that doesn’t mean they came from the factory that way. I just think it’s good to educate folks, and hopefully prevent them from saying silly things. Like talking about their Model A five-window coupe.
Yes information is always a good thing and I take my hat off to all people help out. HAMB has been a Very good place for me.
Information. Easy to carry, difficult to get. My bud Larry in San Jose owned 'Early Auto', worked on hot rods/customs. One day he went to a local MoPar independent shop with a friend who was looking for some Poly stuff. Friend paid his bill, and Larry noticed there was a '32 ('heavy') axle leaning against the wall behind the front door. Larry asked, "This axle for sale?" MoPar proprietor said, "That's a Model A Ford axle. Ten bucks." Larry nearly tore his pants getting the money out.
Pricing in the USA is really rocket on the 32/heavy and I asked here on a add to get one but it was not on a reality pricing as I see it. If good core = Yes, but it was not good cores. I can tell I bought a 34 std axle here, payed for dropp, bought a 32/heavy and pay for drop and this chromed 34 I showed now and still it was not as much as people wanted for a rusted up 32/heavy cores on my add to get one. Odd. I don’t say its wrong, just say : odd.
Hey Hank, just a thought or two. I know you’ve changed to era of build. But when I see (in my mind) is a traditional hotrod, I don’t crawl under it - not that I’d know anyways- to see what dropped axle was used, what any part on it came from 1938 or from 2008 as long as when I look at it I get the “feel” is was done right. I commend those who will look for all original parts to use in a build. If that’s your mindset move forward, but as it pertains to (because of this thread) a dropped axle, to me, wouldn’t make a difference if it was a aftermarket forged axle or an original. - just an example. But I don’t critique vehicles I look at. I’m not the guy who says “they didn’t have Phillies head screws there in 1950. Guess I’m more into the look of a vehicle that what was actually used to achieve that look.
Personally, I like a 32 axle under a 32 - just looks right to me. Don't drop it too much - maybe a 2" additional drop. The next question is do you run a wishbone, split wishbone, hairpins, etc.. A lot of the race-guys would have either split the wishbone or made hairpins. I like the look of hairpins on an open fendered car (so fenders is a big question). When you have fenders on it - a lot of "what looks the coolest" isn't quite as important (under the front end that is).
Yes I was very happy when I found the 32/heavy core here. As a 32 like a 32 axle. Drop would be modest and idea polished and painted or chromed would be next to figure out. Polished in black with modest chrome parts did fell nice. But now this slimmed 34 cool axle came in.. Must say I love it. I has a 37 oilpan I has found here ( again way to expensive in US ) and pricing was 4-700 US plus freight for rusted pans via add here to get one, but found it here in perfect condition 15 minutes from me and price was to hot tank a FH block. That pan allove non splitted bones but now I will split the bones = new ideas ( I like the long 32 bones ) No hairpins, no 34 bones etc. Budget36. On look and old vs new parts. Well here is the way I see it. I understand how you mean and new parts and one can has the old look. Its a great common sense ide. -New parts is almost indentical to old ones, its new and often better, price is lower, it's easy to find, easy to use and its all stuff one need as axles, frame, gauges, steering wheel, engine parts etc etc. So much more easy. But if I got into new parts why mix it with old ? It not make sense to me. -But does it make more sense try get old junk parts each and evry part needs work plus hard to find, and expensive to get. But... if one get into that road its not working to install a new forged axle. ( But maybe its just me ) Maybe a mix is the best ( who will tell and why care but why mix when its new parts made ? ) To me its the a road and a feeling. But if I ever build a rodster I will not do this road... One part of that is one can never sell the car as no one can collect old parts and fix it and get back even 1/3. ( My personal ideas market is not equal what cars is worth. I has a example. I know its old parts and people sell it if they like or get pay. I was into use the 1936 3 bolt cam cover and use a magnet. I found a Vertex here ( from 70 or 80’s ) in Sweden cheap with a never made angle adaptor, but that adaptor will be short vs belts etc ( maybe the idea might be straight up position ) know e st ebay ( I can't stand ebay ) I was up in night try to get it but at 900 USD I went off. One I asked said it was cheap even if it was 1.500 or more (?) Maybe in USA this is Ok but for me its a joke. This is old speed parts and not NOS Bugatti stuff, but no one force me do this. But market tell on the pricing. I don't say its wrong. In my case I’m soon at 100K in this coupe and my floor has now old parts all over and near nothing is bolt on, each part need work. Most parts need allot of labour to work as it was built to do. This is the ( or my reality now )
were you building a ‘40’s style car ? If so and above comment is correct, then a painted axle would no doubt be appropriate. - but that chrome one with chrome wishbones would look really nice……….
clem, I has been into several ideas as pre-war, after the war or racing styles as street racing, BVille, desert, mud etc. I has also change body as I was very close bought a 32 3W but dropped off in late minute, as it was 40K less floor in LA ( asked a hot-rod shop in LA and it was 20-30K just to chop it... ) and last year it was shipping issues from LA, then add crate labour, transport in Ca and the freight over to me and Sweden tax, so it was a new B-ville 29 roadster insted and pre-war, but then this coupe came in last fall ( took me 5 month to get deal on but it was 20 minutes from me. So I sold the roadster body. So style was late 40's but I has expanded it to 1950, max 1952 in parts I will use ( and era correct style ) But now I has got the information all parts I bought ( speed parts that was sold back then and hot-rod trix ) was never used (?) -Anyway, there is my project now.
This axles is not my cup ot tea. Sorry. Will no one see them from a old unit, No. Good choice. Just common sense. I’m the fool and we get few today ( thats a good thing ) and new parts or Chinese parts is where the worlds going so get the economy where it be at best for all, look back is never a good thing.
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