I never pass up a free Model A wishbone...they come in handy for all kinds of things. I used one to make up the rear "wishbone" in my RPU... It's made from 35-36 rear forgings, 37-40 front tubes (they are 3/16" wall) and a Model A yoke/ball forging. I did the same sort of plate cut into the tube vertically where I joined the 40 tubes to the 36 rear forgings... I also used a Model A wishbone tube for the torque arm... There are endless possibilities recycling old Ford junk... Neal
Looks great Did it warp at all and pinch in the bones from the welding. First thing I thought of when I saw this post was the GMC into 32 grill shell too.
No...I didn't take pictures of that part of the project...but I'll try to explain it here with some drawings. I started with the 35-36 rear forging... Then cut off the old tubes, and trimmed the top and bottom flanges back, leaving the center web sticking out about an inch... I cut out the profile I wanted from some 1/4" plate. This made the web for the drop. Note that these are cut long so that they will extend into the new tubes. I then formed the new top and bottom flanges out of some more 1/4" plate. These were cold formed in the vise and worked until I got nice flowing curves. Then the 40 front tubes that I used were slit top and bottom and slid over the web extension to form the same type of joint that I used to repair the front wishbone shown above. This was all tacked together with the rear end in the chassis...with the pinion angle set...and then pulled out for final welding. Hope that helps. Neal
FYI, I did the same thing on the torque arm. I left the web of the Model T axle and slotted the Model A wishbone tube so it would pierce in about 3-4 inches. I think that makes a real strong joint. Neal
Mine will gather some head sctratchin. Wimpy "A" REAR wishbone that a person SHOULD NEVER USE in its stock form. But, it is wrapped around a piece of DOM threaded for a tie rod end. I didn't have any fancy forgings so I am making a tab with ears to attach to teh Banjo.
Neal, hats off to you. Not only do you do great work, and are kind enough to take the time to photograph and post it up here for us, but also follow up on all our questions with drawing to explain what was done. It's guys like you that make the H.A.M.B., and hot rodding period, what a wonderful thing it is. Please keep up the fantastic work, hacks like myself depend on it!
I agree, also lighter and good for the odd shape of the bone. That type of joint, with an internal fishplate is an aircraft construction trick. Years ago, my grandfather told me that's how they would build certain tubing joints when he was an aircraft mech in WW2. Pretty slick!
Neal, do you have a close up shot of the front attachment point of your torque arm? I'd like to see that because I was thinking of using an A bone for my torque arm too. Thanks
I welded some 1/4" plate to the web on the back of the Model A wishbone yoke to extend the right side back. This made a place to weld a tab to bolt the torque arm to. Since the torque arm is just another leg of the wishbone, it can be bolted rigid. <O</O Here's the torque arm "kit". Model T axle forging and Model A wishbone tube... <O></O> Neal
Has someone made an index of all the projects Neal has posted on the HAMB? I just reread parts of this one and found out there really is a use for a Model T Ford front axle other than steering a T down the road.
The Jalopy Journal
