Does anybody know the actual lengths of the different Radius Rods Ford used on his torque-tube rear ends? I'm aware that the 38-42 are supposedly the 'long' ones and the 46-48 are the 'Short' ones... But I'm running into all sorts of actual measurements amongst the short and long... Thanks
I can measure mine in the AM if nobody posts. I have both styles, plus 35/6 as well. I assume you want axle centerline to forward mount hole center.
That would be great... People have been measuring all different ways for me, but I can extrapolate from there... That's probably the best standard to go by too.
I have got the parts you need but I am in sandiego, call me 619 573-2637 miguel, now to the question, 32 rear radius rods a re similar as 33-34 but are bent at the rear. 35-36 rods are buy themselves, the have the rear ear that permits you to mount a spring behind the rear end. 37-39 rods are the same but are too thin to use on a later rear end , 40 rods are all by themselves, they are thicker and shorter and will work , 41-48 are the most desirable, these are the one I sell the most , they are like 40's but much longer, and the dont cost what 35-36 one do , if youn are useing them for your roadster they will work, but you still have to buy the brackets to hang your rear spring, speedway sells them and they come with the rear shacles, order the ones for a 32-34, use the front spring off a 35-40 ford for your rear end . I dont have the mesurements on me but I am guessing this is the reason you want them.
Ok, the later 40s shorter ones are 46"; note the way they have a forged end that bolts to the backing plate attaching bolts. the longer ones are supposed to be off a 39. they are 48.5", but these bolt to a 3/8 plate like my homemade plates in pic. Those plates are more inboard, welded to the axle tubes. So measurements vs. locatings can be misleading. PS, the longer ones are very thin, no forged ends, and unwelded seams the entire length. The forged end set is 100% welded. The 35/6 bones are under my car and I can't get to them easily
Desirable for what? Longer??? Not the ones I have! Besides...they're so weak in thickness and in the way they attach at the axle that I wouldn't even consider using them as the primary way to locate a rear axle. In original config they were designed as simple thrust/compression braces to stablize the torque tube/axle housing connection...nothing more. They were not designed to absorb torque loads.
Thanks for the input guys, keep it coming... This is for a traditional roadster with a torque-tube... I just want to find the shorter ones that angle in to the tube faster... I have a set of the '40 rods that are just a little too long.
You fellows are killing me... So the purpose of this thread was to help me know for sure what I have when I buy a set of 'the short ones' or 'the '41s' or the '42-48 ones'... This is because I've run across a few supposedly '42-'48 rods that have all measured differently. Does anyone have a measurement of the '41 Ford radius rods? Also, how do the rear ends compare to my '40 standard rear? Are they the same width? Trying to figure out how they'll mount to the rear...
Thanks again Little Wing... Do you have any idea what they came out of? They seem awefull short... Which on the surface is a good thing for me, but I'm worried that they'll be too short for the width of the '40 rear. They're almost 4" shorter than my 40s...
think they are Lincoln which is as big as teh Fords borrowed this pic from the classifieds Lincoln had shortys as well and a bit heavier duty I belive
The Jalopy Journal
