Hot Rods I need some ideas for a frame I am building

Hey all I need ideas for a simple front cross member for a frame Im building for a model A RPU. I want to keep the car low and have that salt flat look. I am gonna most likely use a deuce grill and no frame horns. I am using 2X4 tubing for the side rails and a model rear crossmember and spring with a 36 rear and closed drive. I guess I could use a Speedway Model A or 32 front crossmemeber , but Id rather see some of your ideas. Post some pix or e-mail em to me at manfromelmiarge@verizon.netmanfromelmirage@verizon.net

 

You can make your own front cross member out .120 wall 2" wide rectangular tubing. Cut away one side. A 1.75" wide Model A spring will nestle inside. Make sure that you position the cross member so that the bottom tank of the radiator will clear.

 

thanks Bib that is kinda what I had in mind I think thats what I saw in one of your photos

 

One thing you might consider. It is a little more work but makes a sleeker frame if you taper those 4 inch rails down to 3 inches in the front so you can weld in a 2 x 3 front crossmember or a round crossmember of about 2 3/4 inches. If you just run the full 4 inch width tubing to the front it can look sort of boxy IMO'

We are building a new frame right now for my current rpu project, and tapered the rails as I mentioned. We took a 1 inch x 36 inch pie cut section ouf of both sides of both rails, then clamped the cut back together and welded up that seam. Here is the rail after I marked off the piece to be cut out.



And here is how it looks once it is welded back up. It is a subtle taper, but I think it makes the frame look a little better.

 

i agree with you Don. But I intend to run a full hood and hopefully channel the body. I was thinking that the hood sides might at least partially cover the side rails. You do nice work!!! btw

 

Have cut several front cross members out of 1/4" X 2-1/2" square tube with one side trimmed away, probably overkill!

 

better to be safe than sorry Rich. Do you have a ny pix I can look at of these cross members?

 

Here's mine 2" x 1/8" square tubing with the bottom cut out. I also added to gussets on the top. Make sure you cut out the side with the seam. If not you'll have to grind it smooth for the spring to fit.

 

I would use a model A crossmember.Why spend all that time designing and building something that already works great.If I remember right the spring is mounted in a stock crossmember leaning back a few degrees.I don't remember why or I may not be remembering correctly.I am sure someone with a better memory will explain this better than I can.Or they will tell me I'm wrong.The stock crossmember also has the mounting holes and the correct shape to fit your radiator so you should not have those worries either.Good luck with your build.

 

Yes make sure you account for the caster angle as ratrod said. 1/8" or .120 wall is fine. Definitely taper those 2x4s down to 3". Even with a hood they'll stick out like a sore thumb plus you will want to mount your crossmember at the top of the rail and it will look odd having that hang down IMO. The hood won't cover the bottom

 

Hey guys, mind if I get in on this, I'm building a frame for a 27 coupe, I'll just watch for now. Dear Mr. Ghost, I can't read your post because I can't keep my eyes off your avatar

 

LOL! Gary, you crack me up. And I feel better knowing Im not the only one doing that. This will be an interesting one. Ive been scratching my head for two weeks on a front crossmember for my '29 coupe. Thanks Ghost for asking a good question. Subscribed to the thread.

 

also subscribed, Im doing a back half for my 29 Dodge coupe, looking for ideas

 

it depends if you want a suicide front end or a "normal" crossmember, if you make a suicide front end you can decide how much drop you want but if you wanna use regular crossmember, the one I've have used is the reproduction model A front crossmember from socal.

if you wanna have a bit lower with the frame rails over the axle another idea would be the flat crossmember from welder series: http://www.welderseries.com/blog/online-store/flat-front-crossmember/ but you will have to notch the frame rails for suspension travel.

 

glad you like the avatar those are my daughters ( just kidding).....thank Nick in NY for the pic.... as for the cross member i am shooting possibly for a Rolling Bones look NOT a suicide front cross member

 

Clockwork the pic u posted on the right is EXACLTLY what I had in mind

 

Clock I also was thinking about a dropped axle which I already have with a flat cross member tipped back about 7 degrees for caster