I am building a 1933 Ford Sedan fenderless and the stock axle is too wide for my taste. I wondered what width would work best with stock steering and suspension. I want to lower it as well figuring a 4" drop. Thanks in advance Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
Tim, a 28-31 axle is the same dimension kingpin to kingpin as the 32-36 axles. If you have an original axle dropped, it will likely end up a little narrower, but not much if any. I can't imagine a stock width axle being too wide for the car. Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
I think I am lost too. I would think the stock axle would be exactly what you would want. How much narrower are you thinking you want to go?
Stock axles get the front track really wide once you add aftermarket brakes and any normal backspace wheels. Too wide IMO for a fenderless 33/34. This is why they make narrow axles. An aftermarket axle @ 46" looks right in width but looses the "aesthetics of dropped axle" You can narrow a Henry axle as well as have them dropped. This is how they did it before they made narrow axles. No narrow axle is going to work with 100% stock everything else.
I use a 46" on the hiboys I've built. I like the look better. Narrow in the front, wide in the rear. Adds to the wedge look that makes it more aggresive.
When going from mech. brakes to juice you gain about 3" in width on a 28-36 axle. I also like them abit narrower, on a typical axle drop you lose about 3" width.
My dropped 36 Henry axle didn't loose 3" or 1-1/2 a side. Maybe a 1/2" per side. I'm contemplating narrowing it but ill need a custom spring if I do. Need to sort that out and make a move.
I should clarify, you are right, the model A axles get narrower than the 33-36 as the latter have an upsweep before dropping.
As posted on here, when you ad juice brakes and remove fenders it looks way too wide from front. I was interested in hearing what others had done. Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
SIDS site states an overall narrowing of 2" - kp/Kp of 50.5 to 48.5 on both the 28-31 and the 33-36. The 32 regular ( not heavy) axle is in there someplace too.
You can buy a new axle in 46, 47, or 48 inch widths. If you drop your stock axle 2" (equal to a 4" drop total) it will narrow it about 3/4" per side....about 49 1/2" width.... my .02 cents.
Here is a '33 Axle dropped about 3" from it's factory sweep. YOu better put your headlights in this equation before you go too narrow. I like the look on this, some don't. But make sure you don't get a crowded look after you install your lights. These are stock '33's but a kingbee or Guide is going to be alot smaller in the hole. Good luck, Tim