Model A dropped axle question???

[**DONOTDELETE**]

Can you run a dropped A axle on amn other wise pretty stock Model A? Mechanical brakes and all? Anyone done it and have some advice?
I have the stuff to drop it with a different axle but it's one of those projects that will not only change the axle but also the steering, brakes, spring, shocks, wishbone and on & on. I'd like to just save that for another chassis and just get the nose on the stocker down to a respectable height. Thanks Jim

[slazzen]

i belive you wold not be able too due to clearance issues

[HRH]

You should be able to run that dropped axle. The only thing that would interfere maybe would be the stock wheels and tires. The 19" wires would definately hit the fender. Just run a set of 16" wires and that should clear up any of your clearence problems

[Cadillacin Marcus]

I can't see any reason why you couldnt myself.....Mechanical brakes!! yikes!! building a race car I see...hehehe...sorry some more lame humor.. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif

[NealinCA]

Jim -

We put a 32 heavy in my dad's 29 rpu project. The 32 axle is about 1-1/2" drop over a stock model A. He used 32 spring perches, but everything else is Model A, including mechanical breakes. We did have to heat the steering arms to get the tierod to clear the wishbone.

With the 32 axle, a reversed eye spring and some 6.00-16's, it gets it down to a respectable height.

To use a dropped axle, you would need to extend the perches up even higher than the 32's to anchor the brake pivots. Your steering arms, draglink, etc might end up at odd angles also. I think with the time you spend doing all of the fabricating, you could have put hydraulic brakes on it.

For the mean time, I would just go to a stock 32-36 axle, 32-34 spring perches, and a reversed eye spring.

Neal

[**DONOTDELETE**]

I have 16-inch Kelseys and 5.00 Firestone Motorcycle tires- the gap is HORRENDOUS! I will try your set up Neal- that was the info I was looking for. Thanks Jim

[**DONOTDELETE**]

And contrary to popular thought the mechanical brakes work great- the reason I'm thinking of keeping them.

[DrJ]

I saw a Model A speedster last year with a dropped axle and mechanicals. It just had the brake bellcrank pivot on the wishbone pin extended up the same amount the axle was dropped, so the brake arm stayed horizontal and functional.

[Bruce Lancaster]

I've seen the necessary extensions for the perches done with simple pieces of steel plate. With mechanicals in front, you are moving around hardware in an area that's pretty crowded, so first try swinging up the front rods to where they'd be with a dropped axle and check out available room at rest and with an estimate of max suspension movement. '32 hardware makes lots of sense here--'32 front brakes are same basic mechanism as A, but are an inch bigger and have cast iron drums. The parts can be quite cheap, as streetrodders won't use any actual car parts on their rides.

[TV]

Jim, the best way in my oponion, and I've done this, is to put a mono spring on it.You can move it around like you want it and will have to modify very little. I did this on my 5-wind for a better look while I was getting the parts togeather for juce brakes and a dropped axel.--TV http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[FoMoCo_MoFo]

Jim,
Please post some pix of the before and after on this. I am looking to do the exact same on my A

thanks!

[NealinCA]

Jim -

Here is a rpu with a stock 32 axle and reversed eye spring.

He has small M/C tires, but I don't remember what size.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v394/NealinCA/29RPUyellow.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v394/NealinCA/29RPUyellowrear.jpg

It is by no means low, but it looks pretty good. Fitting for a 4 cyl car I think.

Neal

[**DONOTDELETE**]

Definitely looks better than mine. What about the rear? Looks like something has been done there. Thanks Jim

[NealinCA]

[ QUOTE ]
Definitely looks better than mine. What about the rear? Looks like something has been done there. Thanks Jim

[/ QUOTE ]

I don't know. It does look lower than stock, although he does have a really big tire in the rear...those are like 9.00 or 10.00-16's.

My dad has a reversed eye in the rear of his Model A, and that helps quite a bit.

Neal