Parallel Leafs Or Model A?

I recently bought a 40 Chevy Truck from the factory it came with a parallel leaf front spring set up...

my plans are to chop channel and z this truck is it worth my time to find a model a front end for it or should i keep the parallel leaf set up.

does anybody have pics of a truck done this way?

pro's cons?

i would like to keep the orig. Chevy set up but just modify it with a z and drop axle.

just looking for ideas and pictures if you've got them.

-Relay


here is the frame just after i stripped it.

 

You going fenderless? If so the transverse spring (Ford style) is a bit cleaner and easy to get a dropped axle. You can also get one of the tube dropped axles and just weld spring perches on for the parallel leafs. If you have fenders, it can get even lower with Must II style and not have to go with the large Z in the frame. Depends on what exactly you want to end up with.

 

go parallel, its different already keep it that way!

 

Aarron kept that arrangement.

Do a search on "Spacetruck"

Rich

 

I've been considering a Ford style axle for my '40 GMC for years but I'd have to stop driving it every day while I did it, so I haven't, yet.

Flipping the axle to the top of the spring gets it down but hits the oil pan of most engine installations



That's not a '40 cab, by the way.
The '39-'40 cab was flat across from where the firewall welded to the cowl.
In '41 they bumped it out that 2" or so for more foot room inside.
So, That's a '41-'46 cab judging by the shape of the firewall.
Also, the '39-'40 had two verticle reinforcing ribs on each ide of the firewall, those "X"s started in '41.
Irrelevant except when it comes to the numbers on that cowl plate matching the numbers on the frame.
On a GMC the #s are on the side of the right rail up near the shackle hanger, not sure if Chevy is the same place or not.

Keep us posted on the progress.
I'd like to see some new ideas (I can copy)

 

What RatBone said. I think those early Chevy frames have loads of character built in. My dad's building a rod with a similar frame but running the leaf springs under the axle to drop it about 3 inches. Looks great. The frame might need to be notched a little though to keep the frame underside from hitting the axle during jounce. If you channel the cab, you can z the frame behind the firewall outta sight. Please keep us posted.

 

keep the parallel leaf set up

 

Wow! That looks super. Any cons to running this front end setup?

 

yes im am going fenderless, i definitly do not want to run Must. II

thanks for the input greatly appriciated!

 

thats good to know... the seller told me it was a 40 but obviously it isnt. im glad you pointed it out though. do you have any vin decoding info... or a link so i can find out?

 

Looks like im definitly keeping the parallel leaf set up. with this info and a nudge in the back i've got a lot of ideas building up.

evil1 thanks for the pics... that thing is wild.

 

do you know what leafs springs those are?

 

I'm considering doing the same/similair with an '37 Chevy Cab and an F-1 frame I've got laying around...

Keep the proportions right...and it should look pretty good.