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Old 02-19-2017, 11:56 AM   #81
Bob C
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Default Re: How To Lower The Model A The Old Fashion Way

Those are 1932 actuators and the arms go down.

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Old 02-20-2017, 12:44 PM   #82
Scott F.
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Default Re: How To Lower The Model A The Old Fashion Way

Thanks for the replies guys. Bob C is correct. These are 1932 actuators and the arm goes down. They are also 1932-34 king pins, which have the 'cup' offset differently than A and have the lock groove in a different orientation than the A parts. I have model A king pins and Model A actuators which fit and work as intended but the '32 actuators that I have are much nicer condition than the A actuators which is why I wanted to try and use the 1932 parts. I am going to give it another go maybe tonight. I left the king pin lock bolt out so that I could rotate the kingpin after I had the actuator installed in the cup.

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Old 02-21-2017, 08:56 AM   #83
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Default Re: How To Lower The Model A The Old Fashion Way

[QUOTE=Scott F.;1431939]Thanks for the replies guys. Bob C is correct. These are 1932 actuators and the arm goes down. They are also 1932-34 king pins, which have the 'cup' offset differently than A and have the lock groove in a different orientation than the A parts. I have model A king pins and Model A actuators which fit and work as intended but the '32 actuators that I have are much nicer condition than the A actuators which is why I wanted to try and use the 1932 parts. I am going to give it another go maybe tonight. I left the king pin lock bolt out so that I could rotate the kingpin after I had the actuator installed in the cup.

You are making this way too hard. Nice model a actuators are easy to come by and fit without the fuss. Well, maybe a little fuss, the bolt length on the model a actuator isn't long enuff to get a washer behind the nut, so you really need to grind a little off the sides of the perch pin boss.
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Old 08-21-2017, 09:57 AM   #84
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Default Re: How To Lower The Model A The Old Fashion Way

First of all, I want to thank LeroyM for this thread. It was instrumental in the dropping of my '29 Tudor.
I wanted to do a late 30's/early 40's style "banger build" with my '29 Tudor. The idea being that I would use what would have been available in that era and still maintain the mechanical brakes. Whether someone was doing dropped axles, back then, I have no idea. I have been unable to find any info on it if there was. So here's what I did...

I was able to find and purchase a n.o.s. 1935 front axle, out of Minnesota. I found a nice pair of '32 front spindles as well as a new pair of '32 front spring perches. I then bought a new set of Model A king pins and spring shackles. I was able to find a trailer parts store in Missouri that sold the proper size spring bushings, 9/16 i.d. x 3/4" o.d. x 1 3/4" long. I reused my Model A brake actuators, backing plates and brakes. I had already installed a reverse eye main leaf and removed #2, #3 & #4 leaf's when I put on the 6:00x16's Firestone bia's ply tires but like LeroyM, I wanted it lower.

So, there it is! I love the stance and it rides and handles great. Thanks again, LeroyM, for all the information.
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File Type: jpg 91.jpg (69.6 KB, 312 views)
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Old 08-21-2017, 10:30 AM   #85
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Default Re: How To Lower The Model A The Old Fashion Way

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...So, there it is! ...
Looking good, @1stGrumpy!
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Old 08-21-2017, 11:01 AM   #86
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Good looking hot rod :-) One question/ comment, the cooling fan looks like it could cause problems. The new two blade fans are a good replacement!
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Old 08-21-2017, 11:29 AM   #87
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Looks good. I like it.
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Old 08-21-2017, 06:38 PM   #88
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Looking good, @1stGrumpy!
Thank you, Dannerr.
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Old 08-21-2017, 06:40 PM   #89
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Good looking hot rod :-) One question/ comment, the cooling fan looks like it could cause problems. The new two blade fans are a good replacement!
Good eye, Big hammer. I am having heating issues and the waterpump leaks and has a pretty good wobble to it.
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Old 08-21-2017, 06:41 PM   #90
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Looks good. I like it.
Thank you, LeroyM. Your thread was a lot of help to me.
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Old 08-19-2018, 02:41 PM   #91
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Default Re: How To Lower The Model A The Old Fashion Way

I received my front axle. Now the gather the rest of the stuff to do this.
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Old 08-20-2018, 09:45 AM   #92
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Default Re: How To Lower The Model A The Old Fashion Way

Here's a before and after using the Old Yankee Speed Co "Hot Rod" spring and their main leaf reverse eye leaf on a stock front spring.
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Old 08-20-2018, 04:08 PM   #93
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Default Re: How To Lower The Model A The Old Fashion Way

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Originally Posted by 1stGrumpy View Post
First of all, I want to thank LeroyM for this thread. It was instrumental in the dropping of my '29 Tudor.
I wanted to do a late 30's/early 40's style "banger build" with my '29 Tudor. The idea being that I would use what would have been available in that era and still maintain the mechanical brakes. Whether someone was doing dropped axles, back then, I have no idea. I have been unable to find any info on it if there was. So here's what I did...

I was able to find and purchase a n.o.s. 1935 front axle, out of Minnesota. I found a nice pair of '32 front spindles as well as a new pair of '32 front spring perches. I then bought a new set of Model A king pins and spring shackles. I was able to find a trailer parts store in Missouri that sold the proper size spring bushings, 9/16 i.d. x 3/4" o.d. x 1 3/4" long. I reused my Model A brake actuators, backing plates and brakes. I had already installed a reverse eye main leaf and removed #2, #3 & #4 leaf's when I put on the 6:00x16's Firestone bia's ply tires but like LeroyM, I wanted it lower.

So, there it is! I love the stance and it rides and handles great. Thanks again, LeroyM, for all the information.

I'm curious about caster? Some hot rodders and Model A owners are putting a 2" block under their bell housing to increase caster and this makes for very steady driving on motorways etc., However, if you lower the front of the car to improve its stance, then it will have the effect of reducing the caster, this in turn should affect the cars directional stability?
Anybody had this experience?
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Old 08-21-2018, 08:23 AM   #94
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I'm curious about caster? Some hot rodders and Model A owners are putting a 2" block under their bell housing to increase caster and this makes for very steady driving on motorways etc., However, if you lower the front of the car to improve its stance, then it will have the effect of reducing the caster, this in turn should affect the cars directional stability?
Anybody had this experience?
wensum... Sorry that I don't have any pictures that show the radius rod but I have a Clings V8 transmission adapter in my '29, it has a custom mount for the radius rod ball to set in which does mount the ball lower than original. Never have measured the difference. My '29 handles well with this set up.
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Old 09-02-2018, 03:36 PM   #95
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wensum... Sorry that I don't have any pictures that show the radius rod but I have a Clings V8 transmission adapter in my '29, it has a custom mount for the radius rod ball to set in which does mount the ball lower than original. Never have measured the difference. My '29 handles well with this set up.


My chassis and suspension were set up by Macs Speed shop and he cut the radius arms near the axle and re-welded them giving 6-7 degrees caster. This certainly gives finger-light steering on motorways, but I think it makes it a bit heavier on tight corners.
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Old 09-04-2018, 11:44 AM   #96
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Just in the process of gathering parts as well to lower my 29 rpu. Thanks for the posters comments.
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Old 09-04-2018, 10:25 PM   #97
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My '32-'36 axle and wishbone are at the powder coaters now. New spring Perches from Snyder's. I have the 1/4" thick fender washers to take up the slack between the axle and wishbone. Gonna have to buy an 11/16" drill bit to finish them. Next I will order my new spring from Posies Super Slider springs for front and rear. While waiting for the springs my backing plates will go to the powder coater. Spindles and brake drums will get a bath in Parkerizing juice. Its getting close.
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Old 09-05-2018, 01:19 AM   #98
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... New spring Perches from Snyder's...
Have Snyders begun selling '32 perches?

Can you take pictures, as you start on this?
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Old 09-05-2018, 11:19 AM   #99
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I got my 1932 perches from Bob Drake. https://www.bobdrake.com/FordItem.as...1-77ece712bd3a


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Old 09-06-2018, 01:40 PM   #100
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Have Snyders begun selling '32 perches?

Can you take pictures, as you start on this?
I am using "A" perches.
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