Someone wanted identification information on early Ford axles. Here's what I have. Note that measurements are not guaranteed to be exact--they are plenty close to tell one axle from another at a fleamarket, but not meant as engineering data. Dropped original axles may vary somewhat on overall width. Recent streetrod axles are usually narrower than the Ford axles they are specified to replace. Recent dropped axles are rated in total drop, early axles on amount of drop over original Ford. Dimensions between holes are ceter to center from top of axle. Kingpins perches perch thickness 1928-31 51 7/8 36 1/4 2 1/4 (continuous curve across) 1932-36 51 3/4 36 3/8 2 (ends curve more) 1937-41 50 7/8 38 1/2 2 1/4 1942-48 52 40 5/8 2 1/4 1948 holes for tube shocks 28-36 are probably the same widths--those are likely measuring variations there... 1932 axles, the heavies--if you haven't seen the difference, look at the perch area. Heavy axles are thicker than 2", so perch flat slightly recessed, '33-6 slightly raised! 1932 height of web~2 1/4", later about 2".
Evil computer compressed chart--maybe this better: Kingpins perches perch thickness 1928-31 51 7/8 36 1/4 2 1/4 (continuous curve across) 1932-36 51 3/4 36 3/8 2 (ends curve more) 1937-41 50 7/8 38 1/2 2 1/4 1942-48 52 40 5/8 2 1/4 1948 has holes for tube shocks
.........Kingpins..perches..perch thickness 1928-31..51 7/8....36 1/4...2 1/4....continuous curve across 1932-36..51 3/4....36 3/8...2........ends curve more 1937-41..50 7/8....38 1/2...2 1/4 1942-48..52........40 5/8...2 1/4....1948 has holes for tube shocks Evil is in the eye of the beholder C
A visual to help. On the bottom is a '28-'31, middle is a '32-'36, top is a '37-'41. Sorry, no pictures of the ugly '42-'48. David
It cracks me up how people try to say there axles (32 to 36) are dropped 4. If they started out straight like a model a ya, I could see it. I put a stock one on top of one that would be called a 4, and the drop is only 2 ½ Thanks for the info Bruce
Good info. This is some of the info I was talking about trying to compile and put into one thread. Let's lengthen this discussion and get some good info in here- all in one thread. The axle measurements you have fill in my voids on axles. I'm still looking for wishbone measurements (I have some), spindle specs and stock spring info. Like I said in our conversation, I have some of these#'s but there are gaps and voids. I sent my file here to work, but for some reason it didn't comej through.....evil computer beat Flathead Youngin' too! I'll post what I have found when I get a chance. I've got some things going on tonight. Also, like some have already done, I'll try to take some pics and post them to go with this thread. I really enjoy compiling this info in one easy to find location. Watch out, Bruce, you may lose your job!
Wishbones...there's a big coffee stain on my wishbone drawing in my little notebook of sacred information! aaaaaargh! Looks like measure from center of ball to center of one perch hole is 45 1/2 for '34, 47.5 for '32--but there's a lot of blurring AND I didn't note for sure if the measurement is top or bottom...also looks like '32 is 43.25 from ball center to center of centerline of holes--whatta mess. Gotta visit the Iron Archive and remeasure the '32 and see what's what. Model A looks similar to above, but MUCH shorter because ball is under bell rather than behind trans.
I usualy measure from "weld to weld" -32 wishbones from "weld to weld" they are 39" approx. -33-34's same measurement is only 37".
Yup got some strange french and german ones to but not gona mess up your heads with that useless info
Here's the info. I have collected from the HAMB, my stuff and my grandpa. Front axle info: from center of perch bolt to center of perch bolt 42-48 had 40-3/4" (36-3window) 37-41 had 38-1/2" (36-3window) 32-36 had 36-9/16" (36-3window) Springs Model A Front Width= 1-3/4 Spring Eye to eye is 31-1/2 (Smokin Joe) perch eye to perch eye is 34 (Hotrod Holmes) Model A Rear Width= 48 1/2 Perch eye to perch eye not spring eye to eye Wishbone Info. 28-31 fit 2-1/4 (36 3-Window) 32-36 fit 2 axles (look best, most sought after) 42-48 fit 2-1/2?? axles, have the offset in them to clear the drag link (36-3w) Rear Axle All 35-48 axle housings will interchange, using the appropriate axles (Bruce Lancaster) Correct any of this if you can. I want to be sure it's accurate! Also, please add any information you can. I will try to add some pics.... At the end, we can put in all in a single post for ease of finding....
Rear Axle All 35-48 axle housings will interchange, using the appropriate axles (Bruce Lancaster) On the rears, axle interchange MAY require also swapping the spider gears. There are two different tooth counts there. Pinions have two different spline counts, but adapter couplers are available. The parts book will detail the years of each sort.
Rear spring info Model A is the one pictured to the rear of the photo measures 2 1/4" wide stands 17" tall measuring from the floor to the top edge of the top spring (mine has bee torched a little so it would be more like 17-1/2 to 18" tall) Model T (can't be 100% that this is a T model spring, BenD said it was...blame him ) -is the one pictured in the front of the photo -measures 2" wide -stands 14-11/16" measuring from the floor to the top edge of the top spring I didn't measure any V8's mine are on a frame or all apart, so if someone can add this information, that would be great!
35 and up rear axle spring -measures 45-3/8" from spring perch center to spring perch center (my holes a little egg shaped)
Axle spacing Guys, I'm serious, corrrect me if I'm wrong on ANY of this!!! Pic 1 is of 37-41 style: notice the spacing of the king pin center to the perch bolt center.... Pic 2 is of the 35-36 style (I assume 28-36 except heavy 32) also notice the spacing of the king pin center to the perch bolt center...space farther apart than the 37-41 style...
Wishbones Refer to Bruce's #'s but here are some pics to get an idea of how they look.... Pic 1: the one in the front is the 42-48 with the kick up in it, the set of bones in the middle are from a 37-41 (right??) it came off of a 40 coupe
It was always my understanding that the later style started in '41. So they go '37-'40, then '41-'48. There was a major frame change in '41, so this would make sense.
You know, I think you're right. I know the trucks retained the same frame though......not sure how to explain this. I've got more to post but I need to leave. I'll try to do more tonight or tomorrow night.....turning into a good thread though.......good discussion
Front wishbones goes from -28 to 31...looks a bit like 32-34 but a lot shorter -32...32's are 2" longer than 33-34 even though the 32 wheelbase is 6"shorter. -33 to 34...32's are about 2" longer but all the other parts are the same 32-34, including the rear part (yoke?) with the ball attached. -35 to 36 -37 to 40 -41 -42 to 48....wery easy to recognice with the kick up in the front 37-41;s look similar to 35-36's but all the dimensions (and front axle) were changed,but the rear comes to a point at the ball all years from 35-48. almost shure
As a novice to this early hot rods I appreicate all this info. Plus the pictures help tremendously. Keep up the great info guys.
Is there a front and and a back to an early Ford (front) axle? I think the holes for the wishbones are not drilled in the center, on each end.
Have had these scans on the wall for ages, not exactly which magazine, or when it came out, but is well explained, even just the photo's alone help alot when trying to sort out exactly what's what.... The author of these appears to have been J Neal East. (5 scan total).
The Jalopy Journal
