Model A/36 bones?

I'm looking at piecing together an A model roadster I'm not really wanting to cut the ch***is too much, it'll be a highboy, I'd like to drop it as much as the stock suspension will take, probably running a dropped stock axel, unsplit bones in the front,
however I'm as I'm planning on a few more ponies than the stock A banger, (as much as 200hp eventually) I thought that a V8 diff would be the go, I have a set of '36 wishbones and diff, however this puts the spring behind the 'A' rear crossmember, how have you guys got around this situation??

do I step the rear of the ch***is and move the back part of the rails back with the step?
Or do I fabricate some spring mounts on top of the diff? (I also have a set of 38 wish bones, that would work for this option??)
What else do you see as a valid option?

Cheers all

Glenn

 

theres a million ways to do it. just do it your way!

 

Here is a ch***is that I put together with some friends of mine that is up for sale now.

http://jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=481104

 

Do the 2" step described in the Mike Bishop/Vern Tardel book "How to Build a Traditional Ford Hot Rod." Sell the 36 rear wishbones. Use the 36 axle with top mounted spring perches. 35-48 Ford rear axles are basically the same strength wise. 35/36 have ten spline pinion shafts and the bell housings (trumpets) have more taper than later units. Width wise 35 to 41 are the same. 42 to 48 are about an inch wider per side.

46-48 rear wishbones are recommended for this set up because they are shorter. If your 38 rear bones are in good condition you can shorten them. This is ***uming you run a torque tube.

If you want to run an open drive line you will need to add a strut. See the Hot Rod Works web site. They also sell the best open drive conversion for banjo rear ends.

Final recommendation. Buy the book.

 

look at my build thread. Model a perches cut off the bells and welded on a 40 housing to get spring over. It's pretty simple really.

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=5818176&postcount=152

 

Thanks, that transition looks good,

Thankyou,
I have a couple of diffs to work with, thanks for the info on differences,

the 38 bones are in pretty good nick and am happy to cut em, my plan is to run an open drive with a top link as you have suggested

the info on open drive conversions will be helpfull also,

Cheers

Glenn

 

Thankyou, I've got a few spare Model A bell's kicking around.... this is very interesting! could be a winner I reckon!