Re: 1930 Ford Model A pickup (fendered with bumper). I am using a stock ibeam axle, split wishbones, and low profile 15" wheels. I want to keep the truck stock looking as much as possible. I can either get a low profile posie reverse eye spring and altered front cross member to give me a 4" drop or I can just use a dropped axle. The first way is alot cheaper and easier <font color="blue"> </font> . If I go with dropped axle there is ibeam and tube. Which is better? If I decide to get rid of the wishbones, what are the pros and cons of hairpins vs four bars? I do not want to bottom out on speed bumps. Help? Larry
I'm from the gasser era so I'm partial to tube axles. Down side is that you can't drill 'em for the old school look. Upside is that they should weigh less so you don't gotta drill 'em. The 4 bar is better for steering geometry. With a hairpin the caster/camber is ever changing with the up and down movement of the axle. That said you shouldn't have a lot of suspension travel so the changes should be almost not noticable. But if your into fine tuning/canyon racing, 4 bar is the only way to go. Once again the hairpin has a more traditional look. If you decide that the 4 bar is what you're after than you're pretty well tied into the tube axle. I read an article written by Jake back in the '60s and he explained it, but basically it has something to do with torsional forces put on the axle by the 4 bar. I didn't totally understand what he was saying, so I just accepted it as true. Works for me. My understanding is that you can run hairpins with either axle. For me if I wasn't building a race car it would all come down to personal preference. If you want the closest to trad that you can get (for a Street Rod) than the beam (drilled of course) and hairpins is the only way to go. If you can get away from tradition (just a fuzz) and you're like me than the tube and 4 bar is your ticket. Like I said I lean toward a tube axle, but...
PnB you're mixed up about the 4-bar vs. hairpin thing. You can use 4-bars on tube and I-beam, but should only use I-beam with hairpins. The hairpins will twist the axle and a tube won't twist, so something breaks. Of course hot rodders never play by all the rules. I've seen cars with hairpins and tube axles, but maybe they just haven't broke YET. And Lois, are you ever gonna build this car? Or are you just gonna come around every six months and ask the same questions over and over? If someone gives you an answer, write it down so you don't forget. alchemy
Alchemy, You're absolutly right, I went and looked in my old books n stuff and found the article. Now I don't have to edit. I guess the old rememberer just isn't up to snuff any more. Good thing I'm a packrat (and this board is so big).
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