Thinking about going this route. Starting with stock A frame and don't want to change any crossmember locations, but want to lengthen wheelbase at the front a couple of inches. Some pics and info would be appreciated.
Both of these have a 5" extended wheelbase and ride better than the stock wheelbase.. Springs are mounted off the wishbones.. Another benefit is a longer , lower look, especially on a sedan...
View attachment 2102941 I have the spring mounted to the wishbone on my A that I'm building. Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
So the front mounts are the spring and I'm thinking the middle one is for a panhard rod? what is the pad welded on behind that?
The big mount to the left is the spring mount. The one to the right is a steering damper mount, and the double brackets on the right is the shock mount. Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
Mine. Basically I drilled a hole through the wishbone and welded in a spring perch and trimmed away the excess that protruded through the other side. Works good so far! Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
Looks like pretty nice set-up! Curious, how much clearance did you end up with between the frame horns and axle? Usually see them whacked off on a spring behind. Looks like the lower shock mount is on the front plate of the shackle, did you have to fabricate them or does somebody manufacture them?
Rich, I'd say there's about 2.5-3" clearance. The car isn't registered or insured yet so I've only taken it for clandestine spins around the neighborhood. I've purposely driven over bumps to see if it bottoms out and it hasn't in my limited experience. The suspension is nice and supple too. If I so wind up hitting the horns with the axle, I will do a c-notch or lop them off altogether. As far as the lower shock mount is concerned, it's a plate I bought from speedway which replaces one of the shackle plates. Cheap and effective. You could easily make one yourself but might as well buy one and get the chrome etc. I hope this helps. Devin Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
Coupe I had a few years back with a "suicide" front end. Some people told me I was crazy to do this, which made me even more determined to do it.I was told it would steer lousy unless I was going straight (like in a quarter mile). It did have the turning radius of a school bus, but I still liked the way it looked(added 12" to the wheelbase). Mike from Mass.
Tried to get this on the last post, but it didn't take. Same car from the side showing extended wheel base ( also in full battle attire). Mike
This is how I did mine, remember that my modified is very light, under 1500 pounds with a small Ford Zetec 4 cylinder engine so the front weight is probably less than 800 lbs total. Rex
I guess they thought that, simply because the tierod was out front...which is meaningless. The important thing is the location of the tierod ENDS in relation to the kingpins...and yours was in a very good position for the Ackerman to work correctly. By using disc brakes you were able to mount them much farther out than with drums and the inset backing plates they require. Really nice, clean work on that coupe! Hmmmm...just wondering...the "batwings" on the axle for the Clevis bolts and spring mounts. 3 hole? Did you buy them or make them up???
This is a subject that I'm very interested in and have done a lot of research on. Here's a couple of pictures of two different styles- First is a picture pulled from here on the HAMB of, I believe, 3W Larry's deuce using wishbones with perch bolts used for the spring mount. Second, is an acquaintance of mine here in WA state that built a clone of the Doane Spencer roadster, early version. John used hairpins and built batwings to mount the spring to. Hope this helps Rick.
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