Technical Converting a parallel axle to rear mounted transverse spring.

New guy here, so I apologize if this is a dead horse question.
I've searched the directory for similar posts and have not had any luck, but does anyone have any info on converting a parallel spring front axle to a rear spring set up? Early 50's GM truck to be exact.
Anyone seen brackets produced? Good place to source parts?
Thanks in advance.

 

That question is worded in a way that most of us don’t know what your saying.

You want to take the stock parallel leafs off the front of the truck and replace the leafs with ones from the back suspension of a early 50’s truck?

Is that correct?

Is the truck also an early 50’s truck? So you want to put the back springs in the front?

 

don't believe anybody makes the aftermarket mounts, most folks that convert the axle make their own brackets.

 

Is he trying to make a 4x4???

 

I will take a stab at what I think you are asking. It is possible to lower the REAR AXLE of AD trucks by swapping out the REAR SPRING HANGER BRACKET from the FRONT axle of a donor AD truck frame. Grind / drill / torch rivets and bolt on with high grade bolts.
Your source is a junkyard.
And do an introduction

 

Sorry guys, let me try this again.
I’ve picked up an old GM pickup axle, and I would like to mount it with a rear spring (suicide) set up on a model T sedan build. Instead of the parallel springs it’s meant for.
My question was if anyone has seen or know of brackets to bolt into the spring pad that will help adapt this axle to a more traditional single spring mounting situation.


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The single leaf spring is referred to as a transverse spring, where there is a will there is a way but your going to have to fabricate a front spring mount along with using some type of hair pins or some split bones.

You will also have to figure out how to attach the later axle that wasn't designed for a single spring and that will be hard to do but it's not impossible.

I dought anyone makes a kit to do what your wanting to do. HRP

 

I think that old Shane wants to convert a GM axle with a parallel spring set up with mounts forged or casted onto it and use that axle on a Model T, with a single spring set up. I would say, sell the GM axle to someone builder a gasser and buy a axle, new or used, set up for a Model T.

 

something like this?

https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/spring-over-axle-questions.943426/

if so it would be called converting a parallel spring front axle to a transverse or buggy style spring

 

Yessir, that’s exactly what I’m looking for.


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there are some brackets available to do this, and a lot of "rodent" (no offence) rods have used a set up like this
however, in the big picture, the cost added to the overall build to locate a transverse style axle is minimal and less fab work. I do understand using the parts you have
The Full Custom Garage has an episode where he makes his own set up for this type of axle
from an aesthetics point of view, this set up can sometimes look clumsy
the spring mounts on a 47-54 gm truck axle are narrow compared to the Ford and Dodge offerings which may
add some more thought into fitment

 

Lets blow the photo up to a larger size to see what has been done. HRP





The photo's are from this thread. HERE

 

Fab pads that bolt to your axle that act as spring perches? Sure pretty simple and then have a spring made and buy some shackles. No problem. But should you???? Thats the question....

For how cheap stock Ford axles are unless you are really atatched to the GM axle id throw it in the back yard and get a 32-36 axle. Hell even a model A axle. Not to mention the aesthetic improvement of a Ford front susoension. Why reinvent the wheel for what will most likely be a lesser suspension setup that will look super bulky? Good luck

 

here is a qtr elliptical set up being set up on a similar axle

and another one
the guys that drop large trucks usually use these types of axles due to necessity

these are just pics from the web, this is not something I am saying is a good idea

 

Just use a model A axle...there a dime a dozen.

 

No

Get a ford axle or tube tbucket axle

One can force the parts you have to work BUT if you need to find brackets to buy you’ll be light years ahead to buy the right axle parts.
There’s enough trouble for you to find within that suicide axle set up

 

that is what i thought he was talking about. but don't know of anybody making mounts. i also call them spring behind. have seen a lot of them used with semi elliptical springs. i also agree there are better axles to use.

 

Ehhh or 75 a piece

 

But why? Because you were given a truck front axle?
Post your location. Does anybody have even a stock early Ford axle (along with training) they would donate to Shane's project?

 

It’s already been converted to Camaro disks and was rebuilt not long ago, a buddy went Mustang II, so yeah, mostly because I have it.
I can spend $500 on a speedway axle sure, but IF someone has a source on some prefabbed brackets to drill and bolt on and mount some wishbones too, why spend the money.
But also where I’m at in central Washington state, not a lot of source for model A parts.


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I’m starting to like the look of the semi elliptical set ups. I’ll have to think about that.


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Back in the day we use to use truck axles on our oval track modifieds. Trimmed all the ugly spring pads and crap off the axle then welded perches and bat wings on just like a tube axle. A lot cleaner looking and lighter than the bolt on stuff. E-Z-P-Z

 

Shane you need to learn what a traditional hotrod is and stay away from ratrod ideas

 

That’s really slick.
I’m wasn’t sure I wanted to try and weld on it.


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Explain the difference, minus 50 years or so of the social acceptance to make one “traditional” I’ll wait..


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Building what you have is traditional
And early axles don’t exist in every junk yard anymore.
Possible to sell the current axle to fund a transverse.
Just throwing that out there.
Try to find the Full Custom Garage episode where they use a parallel axle in a model A coupe.
I have seen the brackets you are asking about at shows like the Redneck Rumble.

 

Many moons ago I did the same as Rootie. Took an early 50's Chevrolet pickup axle, cut a section out of middle to narrow it, welded perches to it, to the width required for a Model A spring, welded 4 bar mounts and panhard mount to it. Turned the spindles down, to accept Camaro discs, made brackets for calipers, and mounted in my Model A. Worked, and a bit of work to do, but I had the parts for free or almost, and I could do all of the grunt work.
It's do-able, but you need to know and feel comfortable doing it.

 

I had heard they drilled into it to mount a conventional spring mount correct?



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These mounted to the 4 spring u bolt holes. Had a 4 bar or hairpin mount welded to it