Can anyone help me out with this. Im looking for spindles that will fit a tube axel. I do not know the origin of this axel. I do not know what this axel was built for but I do knowI want to try to use it on my 32 Ford. I have crome 37-41 round style ford spindles but they do not fit with the tube front end. The Ford king pins have larger O.D. When I just hold the spindle up to the axel with out a king pin the spacing is way off between the thrust bearing and the spindle meaning that the axel is smaller than Ford. But what dose fit this axel? I have to try somthing else I am up for sudjestions. Any one else have this problem with tube axels? There has to be spindles out there that fit this thing I just need you guys to give me some school. Any questions about measurements just ask me. chevy? dodge? angla ? don't think ford will work unless I go through a lot of headaches. The king pin will not fit the axel see how the king pin is a little bigger than the receiving hole in the axel? But the king pin will fit the spindle. Ford spindle Ford king pin Ok so its aprox. 2 and 1/4 high and it is aprox. 3/4 from inside to inside of the bushing so I guess im looking for a spindle that will have a 3/4 king pin? I know it looks bigger in the pic due to the shadow but it dose measure 3/4
Look in the speedway catalog. They used to give dimension of both Ford and Chevy spindles and if I remember the diameter of the kingpins. If it is no longer in the catalog, call and ask for a tech, they can pull parts and give you thr measurements
Ford Econoline kingpins are .750 diameter, so it's probably setup for those. You might be able to use your Ford spindles with Econoline kingpins if you make some custom spindle bushings that take up the difference. Check out this thread for more info, including kingpin inclination, etc that needs to be considered (post #3) ... http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=200&&showall=1
Ream the hole in the axle out and put a spacer under the thrust washer, if that all seems to hard go get a standard tube axle that will fit your stubs..
By the looks of that axle I think is is made for Chevy spindles, they have a different king pin inclination and a smaller diameter king pin so the early ford spindles dont fit at all.
No it's not Chevrolet spindles - they use a bigger kingpin than the early Ford axles and the Ford kingpin would be loose in the axle. Kingpin diameters: 49-54 Chevrolet = .867 Early Ford = .816 Econoline = .740 Going from the OP's measurements, it will be setup for Econoline spindles which is not uncommon for T-bucket axles. The best option is to adapt the Ford spindles he has to that axle with custom spindle bushes, or get some Econoline spindles. From what I have read, the kingpin inclination between early Ford and Econoline axles is the same.
Just bore/ream the axle to fit the early Ford king pins and use the round back spindles. Seems like the easiest way; besides Econoline spindles and steering arms are sorta ugly. What size are your hairpins, they look kinda skinny in the picture.
Why? Early Ford and Econoline spindles are "almost" (don't remember; but think it was 1/4 degree or so off) the same angle, it was pretty common to adapt them to a Ford beam axle before days of 1-800 parts and disc brakes on everything. It may not be 100% perfect; but it should work just fine if the axle is right. I guess, I am assuming that the axle is set up for Econoline spindles as early Ford, Chevy, and early Econoline were about the spindles that were commonly used on tube axles and Econoline is the only one of the three with 3/4" kingpins. A couple of minutes with a digital level/protractor would make it clear if it is Econoline for sure. I ran a set of Econoline spindles on my '33 Tudor in '70 or so to get bigger brakes, with no alignment or tire issues. Also helped a couple other guys do the same, with good results. Anyway, I am not a pro at this and it was just my opinion on addressing the OP's question. Best advise would be to sell the tube axle and use a Ford axle and bones, much more appropriate on a hot rod.
Not wanting to post incorrect information so I hit the books. This axle appears to be an old Total Performance T bucket unit. They used Chevy and Econoline spindles or there own design. The Chevy has a shallower king pin inclination so from the picture it looked like a Chevy. RichB and others have pointed out that Econoline spindles or Total Perf. spindles are probably the actual spindles and are indeed correct as the Econoline/ Total spindle is a .742 bore with a 2 .25 boss height and this closely matches the posters number... Still to me looks like there is to much + camber for running a wide tire so it is going to create issues.
Thank you all for your help I will now try to do some more research. I will get a hold of a micrometer and post a more tech like post. all I had was the ruler. if it is econoline then this axel may be newer than I expected. I cant tell the age of this axel. but if it is not period correct then I may change the axel. I want to keep the car as close to pre 1965 as poss. the prob is that I have no money to buy a front end for this car. I guess I will have to buy some spindles to see if they will fit. I just want to do a little more home work before I buy so Im not stuck with any more axels or king pins or spindles I do not need.
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