Model A lowering suggestions.......input please!

[Farmer]

I need ya'lls input.
1. what spring would one want to obtain to lower a stock model a rear. assuming the truck bed/cab is not channeled. just a good old highboy suspension lowering only. What would you do?
2. Front spring suggestions for use with a 4" dropped axle?
would the stock axle work fine if cleaned up or is there something that is better out there? f-1 shock mounts would be added up front with tube shocks.
some of the questions I pretty much know the answer to, but would like to get the Hambs opinion as there are far more experienced dudes on here than I.
thanks guys/gals
john

[wingnutz]

I ran a 4" drop with reverse eye Posie Superslider spring on a full fendered "A" and it had the right stance.

However on a fenderless car you could go lower and that may involve a 6" drop with a different spring crossover.

There are lots of different combinations!

My best suggestion is to find a similar vehicle that has the height and stance that you like and make note of the components used and see if the builder did anything special to the frame such as Bobbleed's pattented frame lowering modifications! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Mark

[Farmer]

yeah, i'm gonna go with that combo up front, but the back is what I'm wondering about. I don't want to cut the frame or z or c notch or anything like that. just springs and such to lower it. just wondering what rear spring would lowere the rear of the A a few inches under stock. maybe another year Ford rear spring that will work that is lower?
i'm not like alot of fellas my age, I like the OLD mid 40's style hotrods. Highboy, un-channeled. dry lakes era.

[wideglide74]

I won't say if it's right or wrong (debate to follow) but someone heated and bent my springs down toward the diff about 2in away from th eyes which I'm assuming is somewhat of an old school approach of lowering the rear a little. I will try to find and post a photo... Jason...

[AV8 Dave]

Hi John! I take it you're running a stock frame. Going through the same thing myself! I took 4 leaves out of the stock 10 leaf sedan spring and reversed the main leaf profile in my press which netted me about 2 1/2" total. Am running fenders and there's still way too much daylight between the tires and the fenders! I'm not a fan of heating and bending the main leaf as the former owner of Jason's car did and if I keep the stock rear crossmember, I'm pretty well limited to the stock spring with the high arch! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif Will probably end up putting a kick in the frame Bishop/Tardel style but we'll see what happens! Up front I wimped out and bought a TCI reversed eye spring instead of modifying a stock one myself! Plan to get a 4" dropped axle to replace the stock '36 I have in it now (too wide!) and I too will run F-1 mounts with tubes. Hope this helps! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif Regards, Dave.

[Farmer]

Well Dave, it's comforting to know I'm not the only one thinking about this rear spring dilema. Let me know what route you take and if I think of something, I'll bounce the idea to you as well. Say, what width of 4" drop axle are you gonna run up front? 48"? a 48" dropped 4" is what I am thinking of ordering. Right now, I'm just watching my roommate build his Roadster pickup and a couple other buddies of mine's projects and brainstorming before I get my chassis to the house so I have some sort of direction when I get it. Thanks for the input! anyone else??
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[AV8 Dave]

Yeah John, I'm probably looking at around 48". I know 50" would put the centerlines of the tires exactly where I want them in relation to the fenders. And as far as back end solutions go John, it's a deal. We'll keep scratchin' our heads and maybe some wise fellow HAMB'er will come up with something for us rookies! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif Regards, Dave.

[CheatersPete]

here's my frame (not finish)

[CheatersPete]

more
http://www.thecheatersgang.com/images/siteweb/peter/Pédalier/P6.JPG

[HotRod31]

You might have modify your frame a bit (and maybe the rear end attachment points) but a rear spring out of a 40 Ford will lower it a good deal as it's not as high arch like the A model. On the front of my A sedan I ran a 5" drop axle with one of those mono leafsprings. (a little pricey at about 200 bucks) but it rode well. 4" drop axle will be your best bet.


Later, Mark