I tried searching, and asking about this in my build thread first with no luck. Has anyone ever tried using these bones on a model a axle? Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
I just posted about this and was told nothing will fit. Sounds like you're doing ok, let us know what happened
You need to go back and re-read your original question and the responses. And "nothing will fit" is not quite accurate.
I'm trying to read and understand I'm just telling you I was told nothing will fit the older A's. I'm not disagreeing with you.
theres no such thing as nothing will fit, its just that some components work together better than others. if you have the skills you can think outside the box and reinvent the hot rod front end, but really, you dont have to, its been going on for decades. lots of model a hotrods around, most use a similar axle set up to what the model a was born with. that is, a spring over 28 to 36 axle, spring perch hole sizes change, 28to31, and 32to34, so depending on what perch you use, thats what spring you want. A stuff is cheap and everywhere. your neighbor probably has an axle under some home made trailer. the stuff is out there. 32 to 34, not so easy. your 48 brakes and spindles go on an A axle, your late wishbone would even work if you split it. i wouldnt, but it would work. it seems you know how to use the search function, so you will figger it out, or ask more here. best wishes
What axle do you have? What wishbone do you have? What chassis are you working with? There are no "older As" they were made from 1928-1931. All passenger car/light truch parts interchange in those years. Ford car and light truck stuff, until the last of the beam axle era, can largely be adapted. So, a more clear statement would be "most stuff fits model As". I am happy to help solve your puzzle.
https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/early-ford-front-spring-sizes.1193652/ Here’s a link to ‘greaserchief’s ‘ thread.......
Make sure you use some new aftermarket perches if you use the 42-48 wishbones. The late wishbones are thicker in the perch area, and the new perches are usually longer at the stud, so they reach. The new perches are made longer for those bolt-on lower shock mounts.
I have a 30 frame, I have both original axel spring and wish bones and just picked up a 42 -47 front end. I'd like to use spindles and brakes from 42-47 but I think it's from a truck cause the springs are really tall.
A 42-47 car front end has a transverse spring. A pickup front end has parallel springs. What does your front end have?
If you are using a Model A frame, and Model A axle, you will need to stick with a Model A spring. The later spring is 2" wide, while the Model A spring is 1-3/4" wide. The later spring is longer, as it mounts out front, not on top. My recommendation is: Model A axle, spring, spring perches (aftermarket ones are longer, and will work/work better), and shackles. Take the later wishbone, and split it, cut the forward spring mounts off, and grind smooth, and attach it to the frame in the conventional hot rod fashion. You can split a Model A wishbone, but you end up with short links, and they are not as strong as the later ones. Brakes go right on, but you should refresh the kingpins and bushings (cheap at a machine shop).
The spring is taller than an A spring, because it mounts lower, and has to go higher. Not to mention that later cars are heavier, and need more spring.
I have seen two get bent, but both had blown Hemis up top. Each has one side bend just behind the forged yoke that goes around the axle. Both were in the late 1990s, so no camera phone.
I parted out a 42-47 Ford truck and it had parallel leaves front and rear. Still have the axle that came out of it.
I too have the same question that the original poster asked. Not much info out there on this. I was also told buy a HAMBER that a 1946 ford wishbone would work well. I dont know if it would need to be modified or not. I know the perch thickness is the same and the bones are longer. I have a 1931 tudor with stock axle and springs. I have installed a flathead and toploader transmission. I have the F1 crossmember installed. My wishbone is obviously too short to reach the crossmember to mount. i do not want to split the wishbone. Is this a good choice? I need to buy the whole car to get this. Then part out what i dont need. Or should i keep looking for a 37-41?
A 46 wishbone is longer than an A. But you will still need to do modifications to make it reach the custom crossmember you installed. Probably need to shorten it a bit, but it’s easy to do. There are plenty of those wishbones out there, I don’t know why you need to buy a whole car to get one. Have patience and watch the classifieds.
My personal favorites under a dropped A. Check out the pics for the "Philly Coupe". I'm using the same on my Vicky, just scored from silent rick.
The Jalopy Journal
