Rusty Bowtie
General Category => Early Chevy/GM Discussion => Topic started by: hrkhotrods on April 04, 2013, 10:56:07 PM
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The suspension in our early Chevy's is one of the many unique features that attracted me to a GM build. What have you done with yours and how do you like it?
My 29' came to me as a basket case with a later front & rear axle scavenged from the sellers scrap pile. I have heard that the AD Chevy pickup axles are a bolt in, offer a drop(not sure how much) and gives you juice brakes so I bought one from an abandoned resto project turned street rod that was completely redone with new brakes, etc then left outside so the paint needs to be redone but everything else looks ok. I will be running that up front, not sure on my rear axle, maybe a Toyota or Nissan 4x4 rear to give me my 6 lug bolt pattern...
Steering... I am at a crossroad here. Part of me wants to use a Vega cross steering set up, the other part says keep it simple and use the stock stuff. Any suggestions?
One other thing that is seldom discussed is what to do with the spring shackles. The OE shackles are fairly pricey and with the metal bushings, probably give a harsh ride. Any alternatives that work well?
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I used the original springs and steering box in my 1933 3 window.
I also took 2 inches out of the middle of a 1948 truck axle and put it in with 1953 Car front backing plates and brakes. I wanted 5 lug wheels to match the narrowed 1955 rear axle.
I put some truck shock brackets on and run regular shocks.
I have experienced a death wobble and it is NOT what you want to do.
I had no shocks on for a test drive and the car reacted so badly that you could not see out of it.!!
The fellow with me demanded to get out of the car once I got it stopped!!!
The only drawback from the straight axle is the same as any straight axle. The car has the bounce it would not have if it was independant suspension.
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I drove my car for a number of years with the stock straight axle and as Coley said it drove OK but acted like all straight axles with the bounce. When I redid the car this time I decided on independent front suspension and went with a Kugel setup. I called Jeff kugel and told him what I was looking for and he built a setup based on the dimensions that I gave him. The car handles great and I glad that I went with the independent setup. That being said I have has a number of cars with straight axles and still think they look the best. I have an S10 2 wd rear which in narrower than the 4 wd that fit the 32 perfectly. I used the stock rear shackles and rear spring running Delco gas filled shocks. Darn car handles and rides better that my daily driver.
Moose
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On my 33 5 window I used the stock springs and shackles front and rear with new kingpins and bushings on the original straight axle with discs and the rear is a 4WD S10 axle fitting correctly on the original alignment pins.
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I ditched the original axle for a 4" dropped tube front axle with a disc brake set up. I bought it slightly used from a friend who had it on a '32 sedan. I took the original front springs, which were well worn, to the spring shop and had them make me a new pair. I just had them change the arc so the front end would sit a little lower. I got rid of the original shackles and bushings and used rubber bushings and new shackles. I got most of that stuff from Eaton Spring. I did the Vega cross steer because it came as a package deal with the axle. I'm glad I went with the Vega box because it really wasn't difficult and I think it may be a little safer. After I put everything together, the front end still wasn't low enough, so I took the front springs back out, had them shortened a couple inches and reversed the eyes. Perfect!! My rear is out of a '57 Chevy. The only thing that had to be done there is to move the spring perches in a little. For the rear springs I did the same thing as the front. Shocks in the rear are '55/57 Chevy, front are chrome P&J. You can go to the HAMB and see my build, there are a bunch of pictures that might help. Also, if you need specific part numbers I can get you them too.
I will say that the guys on this forum and the HAMB are the best and there is no way I could have done it without them. Ghost, TFoch, Carl5coupe and a bunch of others; full of info and always willing to help. Hope this helps.....
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These are the plans for my Roadster front end. I am using the stock main leaf and adding a little more arc to it and maybe reverse the eyes. I am thinking of using the '49 shackle mounts up in the frame so I can mount the spring closer/lower. I have a set of Dodge pickup spring that I will use some leaves from. I have a '30s ? MOPAR tube axle that will be mounted on top of the springs. I'm using '49 Chevy Pickup spindles, and brakes. My 19" wire wheels fit the drums. I am going to try the '49 pickup shocks. I have a good set but they are single action. We'll see. The steering box is a Ross from a '50s Jeep pickup. I'm trying to use as little after market stuff as I can just to get an old time feel. Some of this may change as I go.