Hey! Just bought a 1926 Citroen B14 pick up body and frame. The frame is for a parallel leaf spring front end. Here are some pics: I´m interested in how I can lower the car with the stok front set up? I´ve seen this one here with the springs mounted under the axle: Any other possible ideas? Or pics of other hot rod with parallel leaf spring set up, Chevys?
Axle on top of the springs is a logical way to start. just make sure you've still got enough travel between the top of the axle and the bottom of the frame rail. If there's plenty of room you could de-arch the springs a bit too. Do you have a deep/strong enpugh frame to put a 'C' notch in it above the axle for more space if you lower it right down? Dropping the axle is probably the next easiest step, just watch for steering clearances when you do this one. I've also seen the entire front section of frames inverted so the axle rides 'above' the frame. This drastically lowers the frame, but it is considered one of the 'suicide' suspension setups, as if a front spring breaks, the chassis is dumped onto the road. Cool looking pickup by the way. Cheers, Glen.
Glen C has the right answers here....... The only other way is to put in a Model A cross member and a standard single mono spring set up. CRUISER
Bringing this one back from the dead, but I have a 1937 Chevy truck that I have a tube axle ordered for and was wondering about running this setup as well. The truck above looks slick, but the thought of the front axle springs running into the ground in the event of a flat tire scares the crap out of me! Unless I am not seeing something right here??? Anyone else have some pics of lowered parallel leaf setups?
Yeah, if any part of the suspension is lower than your front rims, you're asking for trouble. Flat tire is definately common and something to realistically worry about... suicide suspensions, if set up properly...engineering design and welding...would rarely fail....but it's not completely unheard of for a main leaf to break at the eyes. I'm agreeing with Glen C....easiest thing for you to do, if you have the original suspension setup there...get a deep dropped model A axle and fabricate some brackets to mount the springs above the axle. If you don't have all the working moving pieces, just go over to a model a style front end set up....transverse spring and a dropped axle....spring over axle using standard perches.
It is also possible to install a model A front cross member and use a single leaf spring,,and that is an unusual truck please don't chop it. HRP
The truck has the leaf springs, just missing the axle. I have the front spindle/brake setup off a 53 Chevy 210 that I will be running on the 6" dropped axle Speedway offers. Should be seeing the axle and new mounting pads this week. I am not against running Ford style front suspensions, but I do like parallel leafs on something that came from the factory with them already like the 37 I have. I used to hate them, but about six years ago when I first saw Plowboy's Space Truck the look grew on me and I realized they could be used and work nicely when setup right.
I've got one running parallel leafs, one project with them, and a third soon-to-be project...all running parallel leafs. You do have the option of removing springs to lower it also, sweep the frame, change the shackle position....there's a bunch of options
thinking of putting a whippet front axle and suspension setup on my 31 tudor. luckily i have the frame along with the suspension. i plan to stub it into my stock a frame to get the length in front of the axle needed for the spring mounts. question is was there a common or popular way to cover the longer frame horns or did they just leave them exposed. also does anyone know where to get parts to convert a whippet front end to juice brakes. my hubs have been welded to the wheels and one side has no brakes at all (spindles look good). i would like to adapt early ford hubs with hyd. brakes. thanks.
Here are a few picks of my "ruined" Deuce. Chevy parallel springs on the front. Why, you ask??? Because it's what they had laying around. One from back in the day: One from earlier this year, before teardown was started: Dare to be different I guess...
thanks for that daddy o. i like the looks of the transverse spring, but (like you) want to build a hot rod from parts available at the time (pre '40) that were upgrades to driveablity and function. i don't want my car super low and believe i can get the ride height by doing an axle over if needed. thanks again thats the type of stuff i'm looking for.
Sorry to bring this thread back from the dead, but does anyone have any info on this little gray truck? I'm pretty taken by it. Having a hard time identifying it. Is it a Plymouth? I don't recognize the grill or the badge on it. I'm not usually into pickups, but this one could really change my mind.
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