ok since It seems I'm actually getting my hands on some real hot rod material now I need to start figuring out what the hell I'm gonna do when i get it. I dunno **** about the steering and suspension on these old things. First thing i'd like to know is What the main differences in the frame on the long commercial 32/34 truck frames as opposed to the regular truck frames. Could the long *** frame be shortened to be more like the regular frame? I'm hoping i could get out of buying a frame or having to build one from scratch. As far as spindles and brakes go, what all years can you swap in and which ones are the most affordable? I want to try to pick up parts for the frame and suspension all along while I'm trying to fix all the body rot. Also how does the body mount to the frame? Particularly when it's channeled. guess thats all for now. Pics are a good thing. Thanks ya'll.
dunno the answers to your questions..but a book that at least explains some fundemental differences is the shop manual for the yrs of interest... http://www.gregsonline.com/
I know that the ch***is is longer, I don't recall if they were wider. Should have heavier springs, no biggie just drop a leaf or two. Yes the frame can be shortened, damn I cut it off twice and its still too short. Better solution, peddle the ch***is in the Hemmings (them concourse guys got more money than cents) and buy or build the ch***is you want. 40 Ford brakes are the most popular, anything can be adapted. Never cut corners on brakes, go fast cars need stop fast brakes. The body mounts go where you put 'em on a channeled ride. You're the engineer when you start modifying.
yeah i know they have the heavier springs, at least in the back they were big ***. They also had parallel leavees in the back, do the regular trucks all have those or just the big ones?
I think they are the same width and if you were going to Z the **** out of it you could use a lot of the stock ch***is?????
I think you can use the wishbone, spring, maybe the axle, and maybe the perches in the front. i don't know if the '33 or '34 big truck axles are any good for dropping like the '32 ones are. If you post a pick I'll be able to tell you. There are a few places that drop axles, If you can't find one I got a friend who'd do it for $200. You'll probably want to split the bones, so sell yours on ebay and get some cheaper later ones to mess with(37-40). You'll need 38-40 or 41-48 spindles to mount juice brake backing plates to. 38-40 spindles are round and go for big bucks, 41 and after they are square and a bit cheaper. all spindles interchange from 28-48. For the rear, you've got a hunderd options for that, So the only thing I'll say is loose the big-*** leafs in the back and go to a p***enger car type. That would be transverse or parellel leafs, coils, quarter eliptic(sp?) leafs, coils, or, god forbid, coil-overs. Dave
I don't have any pics that show the axle, I will eventually, though it might be awhile. From what i remember i didn't notice it looking any different than any other one I'd seen, but I dunno **** yet. I was thinking i could probaly shorten and Z the frame, but I didn't know how much different the frame would be than a regular truck.
The frame is obviously going to be too long. You can cut it and Z it. Most big truck frames I've seen are like 6-8" tall, too. So, somethings got to be done about that. Maybe take a section out of it to make it 4.5-5" tall, like a regular car frame. Really, by the time you are done messin with those rails, you could prolly buy a pair of deuce rails from speedway for $700. It sounds like a lot, but they aren't bent, rusty, full of holes, or messed up. Just weld in a model-A crossmember in front, some tube in the middle and a deuce crossmember in back and you'll have a very good frame. Dave
I do believe I'd have to scratch build a frame before i could spend $700 on some framerails. Unless I et some more good luck that is. The welding cl*** next door to my auto-body cl*** might could build me frame for me if i got some plans though, hmm....
You can find Model A frames around for $200 or less. I imagine the body would fit on one of those pretty good.
It's too bad Harlan doesn't post anymore, From what I remember he took one of those truck frames and cut it down so it was VERY similar to 32 ford rails- Looked SWEET For what it's worth- Here's a pic...?
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