Why would you do that? parallel leafs on an A frame....

[TINGLER]

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[Tman]

September 1998 Street Rooder, Neal East Modified, UNDERSLUNG axle.

[The37Kid]

I think you're going to have to lengthen the Model A frame for this to look right. I've never seen a parell leaf spring setup were the axle wasn't dead center on the spring.Check out some old 1930's three spring sprint cars for ideas.

[Foul]

Look under a lot of late-models for offset parallel leaves. I have a set of Astro leaves (fiberglass monoleaf) still at Rooster's house that were offset, but they were terribly long - probably twice the length of your trailer springs there - and even the offset wouldn't help get the axle where I wanted it.

But an underslung would be cool. I know Regal and Simplex were well-known for their underslungs in the 1910s; they were definitely lower than all the other cars out at the time.

d

[Plowboy]

My axle is located in the center of the spring. You will probably need to notch your frame if you are going to put the axle on top of the spring. That is the only way to get it low.

[tommy]

[ QUOTE ]
One immediate problem I am faced with is the length of the springs. If they are too long, the frame will have to stick out in front of the wheels like crazy. I have a set of trailer springs (see photo) but I am afraid they are too short and will cause a rough ride....

[/ QUOTE ]

I actually like that look. Lots of early race cars had that look. Definately not cookie cutter.

[Capt. Zorro]

VonT,
Cut the springs in two and make quarter elliptic's out of them. The February issue of Rod and Custom has an ad for Posies on page 105 with some pics. of the set up he's making now. Basically it's a spring cut in half mounted in a housing with an adjustment nut to preload the spring to adjust the ride height. I believe it will give you a better look than trying to extend the frame to get the axle centered under the crossmember.

Adios Amigos,

[Capt. Zorro]

Let's see if I can post a pic of them.

[Hackerbilt]

Leaf springs can be mounted with the axle offset.
Many cars have used them over the years...EG:

Mopar muscle cars had rear springs with a very short, stiff front section combined with a long rear section.
The stiff front section made traction bars unnecessary but still offered a good ride due to the flexible rear section.

Toyota FJ 40 Landcruisers have offset springs front and rear.

It's a tested concept. Just don't go with a HUGE offset and cause the spring to bend backwards due to the offset loading it will have.

[manyolcars]

Its common to find leaf springs not centered over
the axle. These springs are waay too long for your application. I never wanted any 1/4 elliptics but my Jeep-fanatic kid has been urging me to use some on my current build. He has shown me Jeep websites with a lot of good information, including the use of adjustable rods with right and left hand ends(think torque arms, radius rods, panhard bars) from Tractor Supply.

[Hackerbilt]

They're called "top links" Manyolcars...
They are part of the 3 point hitch assembly farm tractors use to pull...stuff...with.

I know guys who have used them as OFFROAD suspension links BUT the rod ends are a little sloppy from what they tell me. Tight tolerances are not needed for the designed useage.
Cheap though...and guys with big lifts are using them!

<font color="red"> I can't verify the sloppyness as I have never actually held one to try it out. </font>

I'm a little weary of them from the stories I've heard. A car needs a tight suspension and those things even develop rattles in short order...so they say anyway!
Four wheelers don't care about that though...they want the strength and movement spherical ends can provide.

[zman]

Just remember parlellel leaf fronts are the new hotness.

That's what I'm doing on the front of the roadster, just liek back in the day.... Though I have to admit if I had fenders I might be going for an independent front...

[50dodge4x4]

The location of the spring center bolt on the main leaf controles if the spring is off set or not. Dodge 4x4 trucks had short front leaf springs, but even with only 3 leafs, they tend to be pretty stiff. I don't see why a guy couldn't get a set of the 4x4 front leafs and drill a new center bolt hole at a desired location if it was needed (other then the fact the spring is hard and you better have a real good bit and lots of cutting oil.) Once the main leaf was drilled, one could simply add another leaf or two and a new center bolt and you should be good. Gene

[fab32]

Having come from a farm and now owning 2 tractors with rear 3-point mounted equipment I can say that the top link adjusting bar is not something to use for suspension components. The internal thread is cut into very thin tubing and not of a fit catagory you would want for this application. I can picture the threads actually pulling out under a rather small tension or compression load. Understand that suspension loading tends to be of the SHOCK nature where the link application is more of a locating nature with little or no shock value being present.

Frank

[cougardan]

Not to sound Boydlike, but make sure and box the front frame horns. They were'nt designed for load bearing up and down. I say up and down because they were designed to support the bumpers so they have some strength front to back. Just my opinion.
Dan

[Hackerbilt]

GOOD! Someone with first hand experience on those toplinks.
They seemed awful cheap to be of any quality...
The full link WITH 2 ends is cheaper than 1 comparable size quality heim joint!!!
Quality and safety = money (when your buying new parts.) http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

[Special Ed GT]

[ QUOTE ]
Just remember parlellel leaf fronts are the new hotness.

That's what I'm doing on the front of the roadster, just liek back in the day.... Though I have to admit if I had fenders I might be going for an independent front...

[/ QUOTE ]

Here's my old dodge (I think) frame that I'm planning to use for the altered project. I really like the wierd-looking front spring hangers. That's why I decided to go ahead and use the parallel leaf setup, even though it's not "correct" for an early '60s altered.

[bones35]

find a early chevy frame and save yourself the work its already set up that way. plus the frames are tuffer ya their wider and thicker. i hate chevys ha ha