Technical Model A Project

Has anyone ever tried putting a 90's S-10 rear axle under a Model A frame ? I am wanting to use 1937 ford rear radius rods and buggy style rear leaf spring and standard shocks. I know that a 4-link or hair-pin style rods would be easier but I like the look of the 37 rods. I am wanting more of a high boy look but not sure if a vintage axle would hold up to a built 350 cu with a 5-speed manual. Plus I'm on a budget. Any info would be much appreciated

 

You won't find much love for late model parts here.

That said, if it's the right width, I'm sure it would work. But a 9" ($$$) or early Dana ($) would be more period I'd say. With a high boy, people are going to see a lot of the rear end, so, if the S10 rear end is ugly and out of place, it will look like a zit on your car's ass end. A banjo would probably take it as long as you don't pop-dump the clutch into it and keep narrow, bias ply tires on back there.

4 link is for street rods but you will need to do more than just the transverse spring and a set of bones to keep yourself straight with a 350 fed open drive. Search "torque arm" on here.

 

Width should be pretty close

 

Are you using the stock A spring above that axle? Might want to call a spring mount supplier like Pete & Jakes and ask them how much room is needed on the axle to fit the mounts. Some axles are too narrow, and an S-10 might be one of them.

 

I used S10 axles on most of my model A builds.. Cheap and will hold up with a moderate SBC.. I ran 1" adapters to go from 4 3/4 to 5 1/2 inch bolt pattern to run early Ford wheels both front and rear.. As you can see the width is perfect with the 1" adapters...**clic pic**

 

S-10 two wheel or four wheel drive axle?

 

I'd worry more about using '37 rear bones than the S10 rear

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2wheel drive...

 

Stock Ford wishbones did hold the axle straight,
but they also had the torque tube which added a ton of vertical strength...
Clydesdale horsepower... without the torque tube ???

 

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/index.php?threads/1049263/

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If you have access to a rear end out of a 4-wheel drive S-10, then you would be in better shape. They are a little wider than the 2-wheel drive versions and usually have a better gear. They will hold up to quite a bit in a light car.
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View attachment 3449426 View attachment 3449428 mustang rebuilders give these ford 8 inch rearends away. View attachment 3449428 View attachment 3449426

 

when I first joined the HAMB and it was still Dodge City here, gun fights and chest bumping included the 4WD S-10 rear was a commonly used part. The 2WD rear is only about 54" and too narrow for an A bone unless you tub it. The A wants about 58"give or take.

It is a metric 10 bolt and actually will take quite a bit of abuse. It is the same center as used under late trans-ams for a comparison. We used one for a year behind about 400 ponies just to see what one would take. We had to replace the bearings and the gears were chipped but the center is currently under a later Cutlass with a 454 and has been in the same car since about 2,000.yeaI know all that sounds OT but it'll give everyone an idea of durability of the rear.

I still personally prefer a 9" Ford, they are not that expensive (if you are patient and a good shopper) in the whole scheme of things and I usually have one or enough parts to build one. If I was building on a mega budget I would run an Olds, but now you are talking two things, expensium and unobtainium.

OK I freakin took that one off the rails.

 

Is there any other rear axle that would hold up to a 350 and work with older style radius rods ?

 

Have you seriously considered an 8" Ford rear? They're lighter duty than a 9", but plenty good enough for a mild SBC/5-speed combo.