Technical Front Axle Options -- Fenderless Hot Rod on '40 Ford Frame

I just watched the video and well it's a very cool story, just about Family, Hotrodding and Life...

This is really a personal choice but here is my take on it...I think it looks more proportionate but did I lose the appeal...not sure...I hope it helps...

This is one of the downfalls of Frame-swaps...not that they can't be and weren't done back in the day...
its just getting it right...You may have to add frame forward.

I wouldn't cut the bottom of the grill of either. Why its a huge part of its appeal...
You could even fab some fancy metal skirting to fair it into the frame...
I increased the size of the rear slick to better fill the wheel-well. There was discussion just today on slick size availability.

Slick Post with info by @D-Russ...

https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum...years-resolution.542263/page-44#post-12894171

Also added was Headlights and a Partial Hood, Ladder Bars ...why the face...
I'm no chassis guy...technically they taper in to mounts on a cross-member underneath.



If you clic the thumbnail below, I did an Overlay and you can see the amount the Front was moved ahead...The Grille Up, moved back & angled back slightly


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If you clic the thumbnail below, I did an Overlay and you can see the amount the Front was moved ahead...The Grille Up, moved back & angled back slightly



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Just chopping off the cow catcher part of the grill would make a big difference.

 

Drop the rear an inch or two, maybe drop the front a bit too, lean the grille back a hair and call it good. It really doesn't look bad in my book. I'd spend more time worrying about how to get it to drive right. I like the look, its clearly a 60/70s hot rod.

 

Sure would be nice if you found a 1934 Plymouth grill!

 

What happens a lot when a coil sprung rear is built is that the spring rate is poor. We used to use the front coils from a Corvair and that was pretty close to right. If the car proved to be too heavy for the coils (which was rare) we would wad up an inner tube and stuff it in the coil and use air to adjust the spring rate. Guess that was poor kids air bags. LOL

Neat little car.

 

Spring eyes are reversed, as it sits. Replace axle with '33-'36 dropped, from SID'S in Oklahoma. (partnered with 'Okie Joe') Replace spring with correct length for '33 axle from POSIES. Spring hangers from Pete n Jakes. Wishbones can be hairpins to fit the axle. This will move axle forward 5.5", and the length between hangers and king pins will be correct. Car will look like the renderings from STOGY, quite correct, splendid, in fact.

 

I'm going to go against all the grain here. I suggest starting over. It's so goofy looking and out of proportion you would be wasting your time. Build a proper frame and fix all suspension problems at the same time. Forget all that crap about history and family heirloom shit. Life is too short to put up with half ass measures because of it. If you don't have the skill to pull it off I would suggest find a hotrodder with good taste and have him do the work. It has potential but not doing all this other stuff. Find a picture of the coolest one you can and copy it with your personal touches. You will be much happier in the long run. My input. Take it if you want or tell me to piss off. I'm ok with either. Cheers. ( Ps. the grill looks like ass)

 

I think a taller tire in the rear would even out the proportions quite a bit.

 

Reversed purch spring behind

 

now there is one that never would have occurred go me. Does it go wonky on caster angle? I could look at my heap and figure that out but you have already done it.

 

Caster adjustment is in the Hairpin wishbones, crank in 6 to 8 deg. and you're set. JW

 

Is that gusset on the axle welded or bolted to the reverse perch...with this Hotrod it may not be far enough of an offset to work...it may need more...

This is an altered wheelbase but reverse of it's normal application...

 

Reminiscent of Norm's Kookie T, yes ??

 

First and foremost, from one "Nam Vet to another, tell your father-in-law for me, Welcome Home! Now this story rings so true with me, but mine had a very different outcome. When I was a teen in High School, I worked summers for a land surveyor. We did a survey on a farm, and I found a '34 Plymouth coupe, sitting in a hedge row. I approached the farmer, asked about his selling it to me, and he gave the same old worn out story on how he was going to "restore" it. Needless to say, it sat in that hedge row forever and rotted into a pile of dust. In fact, I believe what is left of it, still sits there. You are an amazing son-in-law, to do what you've done. And you have had many responses on what to do. So I'm not going to complicate matters with my thoughts. Keep up the great work, and do what you and your father-in-law want to do. It's an amazing story.

 

Thank you for the kind words and thank you for your service to our country.

And just to give everyone an update, we've decided to go with a '32 style spring-over axle setup. I'm going to likely use a Speedway kit, which comes with wishbones. That will gain 4 inches up front. Moving the steering box to accommodate the new axle location will give me a good excuse to go through the steering system and get it tightened up so the car drives a little better. I'll keep everyone updated when the parts start coming in.

 

Wait a minute you have wish bones , you will need an axle, perches and leaf spring , no need to get a kit , I think an old dropped ford axle would better suit the vibe of the car also... just another opinion though..

 

Lots of good feedback here and many ways to slice the pie and the more you keep and use getting to the goal keeps more of the yesteryear for that soul thing albiet the soul is getting wee updates here and there...

 

This version looks much better!
Stretching the wheelbase, tipping the grille shell back and lengthening the hood made it look GOOD!


Sent from my iPad using The H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

Check with Von Franco he's built two T's with this setup recently and can set you straight on how to do it. JW

 

It is welded to the axle and wishbone.

 

Wow. All the times I've looked at pictures of Norms car I never noticed this. If I ever change mine I think I would use this set up. Baby, "It's the ginchyest". Here's mine now.

 

Dude that lower engine turned firewall panel is awesome. Nice touch.

 

Wire wheel in my drill press. Thanks

 

Loved the video and a large round of applause for what you did for your father inlaw and showing the kind of person you are. You know a 34 Chevy or 33/34 Ford grille would look cool on it as well. Thanks for your efforts.

 

A great video and an even greater tribute to your father-in-law. That being said, I couldn't help but notice how flat that front spring is. At first I thought it was camera angle but looking at the first shot of the car in the video from the right front and again later on the shot from the front driver's side and the spring is definitely flat. The angle on the spring shackles is right but it looks as if there wouldn't be much travel in them at all. If the body is coming down the shackle can't move sideways as it should. If the body is going up, the shackle will bind and push up on the axle. Either way, the ride is going to be erratic. Maybe I'm wrong but I don't think so.

 

That grille looks like a snowplow no matter if you change the wheelbase. The short wheelbase looks cool and if it was an Altered Coupe without radiator, you could keep it. But even with a super decent grille it will be difficult to make it look right.

 

I would try moving the spring behind the axle like the doane ? deuce roadster .