Need you guys help! To get the right stance on the Phaeton, i need to get me a dropped axle for my 32 chassis. A lot of guys here said "get an original axle dropped by so and so" 1. Who does this work (well) - contact info? 1b. How much does a real dropped axle go for...Ballpark? 2. Is it "required" to Sonic test the axle after dropping it? 3. Doesn' it get narrower when dropped? (They're not stretching the steel right...Or do they use a wider axle to begin with) 4. What's the best axle / spring width? (I've got 37 - 39 spindles) 4b. How's the original Model A Spring 31" with a small block engine? 4b. With the spring on top, using an original standard eye spring, is 4" drop alot or does the spring eat up 1-1/2 - 2-1/2 inches? should i go 6? (Want the front in "the weeds!") 5. Is a "New" forged axle really "THAT BAD" Or not as good? 6. Does croming it really make it weaker? ....MAN THIS GUY DOESN"T STOP!!!...Yeah it's a lot of questions! Some of you guys will be happy that Mona Lisa won't get a Mustach. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=772787 http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=772795 Mahalo Guys! Tommy
1. http://droppedaxles.com/ 1b. Prices on website 2. I trust ^ those guys enough not to. 3. Sometimes, but that's okay and part of makin a hot rod. 4. I would use Model A axle with that spring and those spindles. If using wishbones I would use model A as well, you will need to bend your steering arms on your spindles. 4b. I've seen them hold up fine. 4b. 6 is too much. You could reverse the spring eyes or use a SoCal crossmember to go lower. 5. New forged axles are fine. Just not as "cool" as an original. 6. Not enough to matter.
Well yes you do ask more questions that an information booth can answer. I don't personally care for 6" dropped axles to answer one of your questions. I do like a 4" axle real well, but I don't try and kill ants with my front axle either. If you buy a new dropped forged axle it is or should be as good as an original henry. Where the fellas run into problems is buying a cast axle and not a forged axle. Sids does a fine job of dropping and axle, I have heard good things about him and seen his work up close. Very good reputation. If you have one a 32 heavy is a good candidate for dropping, '37-40 axles also work well. The axles don't get bent as a rule they get stretched but yu still loose a litle width most of the time. A metalurgist will probably tell yopu that the chroming process makes the axle brittle, I have seen and still see on occaision old chromed axles holding up just fine. The A spring is going to be just fine with an SBC, maybe a little stiff and you may end up removing a leaf or two. Ok probably missed a couple of questions but that is my donation to the thread. if I repeated anything tat dreddybear said sorry and anything that i missed that dreddybear said you can take to the bank. Dreddy knows his shit.
I'd advise a Chassis Engineering 4"dropped axle. They're new, they're forged and they're a 1932 heavy axle lookalike. I have one, and it's great.
To check for a forging rather than a casting, do this. Stand the item, axle or crankshaft, on end on concrete or other hard surface. Hold it with one finger and tip it a bit to one side to get most of it off the floor. Rap it with a hammer in a spot where it wont hurt the part. A casting will say THUNK. A forging will ring like a church bell.
You should really contact Sid's Dropped Axles. He is great with questions about your project and very reasonably priced. My F1 axle he did is awesome!
I've heard lots of good stuff from Sid's but I went with one from Joe Casto over at http://www.joesspeedshop.com/joesproducts.htm It would be pretty redundant to answer the same questionas that were already answred, but the reason I went with Joe's is because of your question number 3. Yes, a normal dropped ford axle will loose some width, namely the perch-to-kingpin dimension. I needed to keep this as close as possable to the original dimension to keep my mechanical brakes. Joe offer's a "stretch-dropped" axle that retains this measurement to within 1/8".
Decission...? I really like the Old / Bent axles! BUT, i decided to go with the ChassisEngineering Forged Heavy 32 2 1/4 axle... Instead of getting a model A axle, I got a fatter (stronger?) axle. I'm a sucker for holes (that's another discussion) so I have to drill the holes myself!...saved 75 bucks! (~ $425 compaired to a dropped 32) Original Dropped axles...(they all look awesome!) Sid's and Joe's are dropped by the same shop... @ Joe's it says it says "Okie Joe Axles, a product of American Axles LLC" @ Sid's it says it says "Just the 1928-36 Ford Axles are dropped by Joes Speed Shop Ponca City Okla. ph# 580-268-3704" Anson Axles love the polished steel pictures...He doesn't fill or drill....safety reason? Thanks for all the information Guys!!! Aloha Tommy
Not my cup of tea, but whatever! looks like those extensions have been welded on and if so I wouldn't want to be sharing the road with it!!! Dig the air horns
Anson axles.... Model a axle =2 inch drop 33-36=1inch All over stock The still have the smile and dont look like aftermarket A CE axle does not look like a 32 axle!
In all honesty Drilling and filling eats up ungodly amounts of time I don’t have. When iv done them its been mostly for show at my swap spot at the LARS …. Ill put a stupid price on them and sometimes they sell. I only do this deal part time and need to get them done in a somewhat timely manner . If I charged what it actually costs at (say) 60 bucks and hour? …. A drilled and filled model A axle would be 900 bucks and the other half dozen customers axles would be sitting here an extra two weeks or more. Hope this answers the question ........ Greg This one sold for $850.oo ~ ~ ~ ~
Do a HAMB search for "Okie Adams axle" Okie is dead now, but many of his dropped axles live on, prized on historic hot rods.
Greg...WOW!..That's a PIECE OF ART! I'm on a tight budget on this project...But.. The next project I save up and buy that one!!! Tommy
Oakie Joe did a fine job on a couple Model As for me. Also adapted '32-'34 spindles; cheaper and have built in steering arms.
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