I need someone to refresh my memory, I have a 57 chevy I'm thinking about putting a straight axle in, it's in the process off converting it from 4 dr to 2 dr and it is a sedan so it's a good candidate. I want a strong dropped axle, don't want the front a mile in the air and was looking at early chevy truck axles. Don't the 47 to 54 or so have springs that are angled in on the front and the 55 to 59 are straight? I'm on the hunt for an axle and need to know what to look for. Also, on the chevy axles you don't have to ream the king pin bushings like you do on the fords, correct? It's been along time since I done one. I know you used to be able to find original king pin kits on ebay so you don't have to go the china route. I'd also like to find a good HD shackle kit instead of that cheap thing Speedway sells and as for springs, I'll go with them. Just trying to gather parts and get a plan in order, I've wanted a tri five gasser since I seen them in the late 60's and I'm not getting any younger that's for sure, any other ideas just throw them out there.
Yes, the AD 47-55 axles have angled spring perches, TF 55-59 are straight. The TF frame rails are 34" across the outside, the AD is a bit narrower, so might want to consider that. The 1/2 ton truck king pin bushings float in the spindle and do not need to be sized. Also, both of these axles are dropped, they're not really straight axles.
Can’t answer (no experience) but I sold a ‘56 Chevy PU axle to a fella that wanted it for his tri5. The pad locations are wider on the TF trucks ram the earlier ones, assume the frames on tri5’s are as well since V8’s were available in 55 for both cars and trucks.
Squirrel I knew you'd know! Thanks for the replies. Squirrel, did you use a crank with a BBC snout on your nova? I'd like to one day have a blower on this, debating on BB or SB right now, I've always ran BBC's except for a 434 I had, wish I had it back.
That's right, I forgot it was a BB. It's been awhile, I kept up with you on drag week how ever long that's been.
if I were building a small block, the snout would depend on how radical the engine is and how much boost it makes, etc. Mild, stock is OK. Going over 10 psi or 6500 rpm it probably needs a big snout. My numbers might be off a little.
The '55-'59 Chevy 1/2 ton front axles have been the go to for Tri Fives for many decades now. I put my first one in my '57 Chev sedan back in 1968 using the stock frame rails. Later in '70 I stubbed my '55 150 sdn. and used the same axle. Back then '49-'54 car drums were plentiful used and good ones were $15 ea. and bolted right on the '55-'59 truck axles. These axles fit the stock frame rails, or stubbed rails great, and are an easy swap.
My mistake. I know the steering is faster in 53 ,54. The front spindles are different also. They will lower front about 1 inch.
I have the complete front brake setup for a 54 car. spindle and all. Pm if interested. You pay shipping the parts are free.
You only use the drums when swapping these axles to 5x4.75". So backing plates and brakes from the '55-'59 axles are what is used, not earlier brakes or backing plates.
I have a Ford Econoline in my '57 Plymouth. It was done in the late sixties and works nicely. I don't know how it would work in a Chevy. You might be better off using the axles described above.
I ran a single keyed small block snout with a billet steel hub on a 331 (steel crank) @ 6% overdriven, but on a 471 using a 2”Gilmer belt. It made about 7-8 PSI at times and I zinged her up pretty good quite often and put like 30,000+ street miles on it without any issues. I would agree with Jim I think it would be fine on a 671 within reason with a double key and a good hub
I had one of the Chevy G series axles once, like late 60's, had a 4 3/4" bolt pattern. Wish I had hung on to it
I'll be on the look out for the later chevy truck axle, seen one on market place but it was to far away. I'll go with disc on the front, not traditional but I want good brakes.
Or, if you don't mind mixing makes, a '50s era Ford F100 pickup is a good choice and all consumable parts are readily available.
Econoline and Chevy Greenbriar vans are great axles, but both are wider than '55-'59 Chevy truck axles. So if you use either you need really narrow wheels, and tires, and still they'll be almost 3" OA width over stock track width.
I used a '58 Chevy truck axle on my '39 Chev coupe build, but it was 5" wider than my car could use. I had to Z cut it, and take out 5" to make it fit my car. Then build a new tierod setup, and convert it to disc brakes. Makes a great solid axle, and I found it for $100, so still worth the extra work I did to make it work.
If you'd consider a tube axle, Bill at WAC Custom Axles will build you anything you want. He's friendly and helpful and sells some nice shackle kits and tabs for whatever you would need.
I found a 58 chevy truck axle co.plete. springs I'd say are to long but it's got the front hubs on it so the spindles should be in good shape. If I can get the locust tree cut that's growing up through it I'll even have some extra fire wood!
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