I am needing some help. I am building a '34 Ford truck and I am wanting to piece together a front axle instead of buying a complete piece, but I am not sure what parts work with what. I have two usable Model A axles and Model A bones and I found a complete '40 front end. Are the '40 components what I need? Will later model front disc brakes and rotors fit these spindles? A little help would go a long ways and maybe save me some cash!
You can buy a kit to mount disc brakes using rotors and calipers you can get at any salvage yard for the '40 front end. If your truck (I'm ***uming you mean a 1/2 ton pickup which shares the same ch***is as a '33-'34 car, not a big truck) is going to be fenderless you might be able to make the '40 front end work, however note that up through '34 mounts the spring on top of the axle and uses a push-pull drag link to the left spindle; '35 and later has the front spring ahead of the axle in order to lower the vehicle, and '35 and later is cross-steering with the drag link running parallel to the tie rod and axle and connecting to the right spindle.
Front axle: Model A, dropped to 4" total drop Front spring: Model A Front spindles: '40 Ford Front brakes: '40 Ford Front hubs and drums: '40 Ford Wishbones: '40 ford split You could use the '40 tie rod and drag link if you had 'em. Needs u-bolts, spring perches, shackles and split kit. Remove the stock '40 spring perches from the wishbones.
Use the Model A axle with the 40 wishbone (split). The 40 spindles will work with aftermarket kits that adapt MOPAR and GM rotors and GM calipers. If the 40 brakes and drums are serviceable they can be sold. Likewise the front spring if it is in decent shape. The 40 axle is not worth much. But they sell occasionally for about $40-50. Most builders use 28-36 front axles because they offer more turning clearance. You will need to buy a spring, shackles, and perches. Good luck!
Screw the disk brakes, they will look like ****. Put the '40 hydraulic brakes on the A axle; the A has more room for tire clearance, especially if you plan to split the wishbone. If so, I'd also use the longer '40 wishbone.
^ agreed. The only thing I have to add is get the kingpins for the spindles, so for '40 spindles you need '40 kingpins.
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