Hot Rods suggestions on how to drop the back of '34 coupe

I'm wondering the same for my '33 truck. I'm planning to pie-cut my rear crossmember to get the desired drop. Seems like a relatively simple way to go.

 

I used a flattened spring in a full-fendered 32 and it has a decent 50's stance. Not "modern low", but acceptable.

34's have an even flatter crossmember and higher kick to the framerails than a 32, so I'd think a flattened spring would give you a nice stance as well.

 

You also will need a set of 18 inch bias ply on there. That will help tremendously.

 

How much drop can you get if you flatten the crossmember. Looks like a few inches at least.

 

I could make a crued MS paint photo for you.

It should basically be the same as flattening a 40 rear crossmember.

 

Let me consult my neighbor. He had a bitchin' '34 he let go awhile back. Better yet, come on over sometime soon and we can ask him together.

 

Wallingford Graphic Design (tm)

 

As you pie cut and flatten it you will have to take a slice out of the middle or else you will be pushing your frame rails outward.

 

I was wondering about that. but I'm not sure. I'm no rocket scientist. There is probably a math formula to figure it out.

but I might take it out of both sides by the frame rails if I had too.....

Either way I would put a temp crossmember across to keep it from moving.

General are you going to remove the crossmember or do it in place?

 

They should offset each other. Brace it like you said and work it up slowly. I didn't notice his v cuts were opposite till I looked at the pic again.

 

You might want to take a look at this,

http://www.rodandcustommagazine.com/...uce/index.html

 

As long as the pie cut isn't to small I think it will work.

 

I think it's perfectly doable in frame. It may be a little more difficult, but I can understand your desire to keep the rivets. I'm riveting my Model A subrails back together....It's a pita. I'm buying a nice clean body next time.

 

How about simply having a shorter and flatter reversed eye main leaf made instead of butchering the crossmember.

 

Run a bar across the frame and measure to the current spring mount area. I think its about a 4" drop.

 

Re read what I said ….. Key word “shorter” / less arch ….. You could lower it as much as you want.

(On my 35 w a 9” and welded on hangers.)
I simply flattened the spring and welded the hangers on further apart.

With stock hanger just get a shorter flatter main leaf.

I just think its better not to cut and weld crossmembers ever….. seen a lot of uncut ones cracked.

 

Stop cutting! Did you not read my post? You can lay the frame on the axle by just flattening out that spring. Take it apart, hammer each leaf between two large steel chunks, then put it back together. Not low enough? Do it again. (search the tech archives for posts with pics of the process)

Sheesh.

PS: It doesn't take a math wizz to see that if you notch the crossmember as you have drawn, that the crossmember's length will grow. You WILL need to narrow it.

 

^ bingo. That's the ticket, thanks for posting this!

 

I just did it the old way and made my own 4" shackles just like they used to do it.



Just in case someone thinks it will make the handling.scarey.

 

Don't cut the crossmember. Just flatten the spring like Alchemy said.

I also have some concerns about using an "A" front crossmember in a 34. I think you are going to run into issues with your radiator. If you put such a flat crossmember in there, you won't have any room for your lower hose to meet up with the lower tank. Plus if you simply weld it in with the top of the "A" crossmember flat against the top of the 34 rail, the spring angle will be off a few degrees. You'll need to take that into account when setting it up.

 

I'm going to splice in a section of a Model A frame like they did on the So-Cal or Pierson coupe. And if that's not a good idea, I'll flatten the crossmember like many said.

 

Why couldnt you get some longer U bolts made at your local spring shop and cut some 2 X 2 square and throw in between the spring and your hanger?