i got a question, it might be a dumb question but i wanna be sure. the situation : I have and want to use a suzuki vitara back axle on my model A. They are the same wide as the stock A and they are the same bolt-pattern. Sounds easy but i ran into a problem! The 4 mounting holes for the brake-drum to be bolted to the actual axle. They don't clear the hole in the rim. FOK! The sollution ????: adjust the hole in the rims so they clear the 4 lugs ==> doesn't sound safe to me but i've seen scarier stuff. I mean just 4 small circles with a milling machine to clear the lugs. not my pics, stole them from various 4x4 forums
It really depends on the wheels you are using. Some wheels have a center area large enough to accommodate, you could just use the wheels you have and put hub caps on them... such as 50's full wheel caps. It cuts the cost down, but if you decide to run wires, you're pretty much out of luck.
Do they really only hold the drum on? 4 nuts seems a bit overkill to hold a drum that already has 5 wheel lugs holding it on. I was thinking just remove the nuts. If they really do only hold the drum on you could probably do it. They may do more though, so check before trying that route. The Vitara has a relatively small engine, what is the axle ratio? If 4+ probably not worth the bother, if in the 3's it could be a good idea. You may be able to replace the nuts with countersunk screws, and tack weld nuts on the back, access permitting. Just throwing some ideas out. You may also want to look at some long studs and spacers, and run wires. Mart.
The wheels MAY be bolted to the drums ONLY...kinda like an original banjo, but instead of a tapered shaft onthe end of the axle, there's a flange that the drum bolts to. That's what it looks like to me.
What year axle do you have ? The early ones might have been using up 4 bolt axles left over from something else. So they came up with the 9 bolt drums. If you are lucky, later Vitara axles are the same size, and 5 bolt only.
thanks guys for the answers. the rims i wanna use are the steel ford rims i bought with the car. The 4 bolds do hold the drum and 5 bolds hold the rim to it (yes, it's kinda ironic) i think i have the early type axle. I don't know yet what year. I did a quick search and found a ratio 4.3 (lowest) i have a Rover 3.5 engine up front. (buick 215).... i'm starting to think i'll better look for an other axle...
If the wheel is lug centric, you could notch the center hole to clear the nuts. Sounds hack, but it will work.
Just realize one of the 4 nuts lines up with the one of the wheel studs. Bad idea. Look for a later axle, hopefully with a lower numerical ratio.
i'd go along with the countersunk screws if they could be locked down somehow... and i bet axle options are meager in Belgium. don't worry, we'll come up with something...
thx everyone, the ford axle are slim over here. i know it's the best way. prices for a decent axle are pretty steap i think. this one is 500 (650$) http://www.2dehands.be/auto-onderde...o-onderdelen-accessoires/auto-onderdelen/ford and these start from 300 (380$) and up http://auto-onderdelen.marktplaats....en-voor-ford-bronco-en-f-150-en-aerostar.html so i thought i had a cheap alternative for this. I know there is a dutch guy running a Vitara axle but because he channeled his A sedan he needed a wider axle. I just fitted the 64mm adapters and done. he's running a hopped-up banger.
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