suspensions for hot rods
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,654
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From: Chandler Arizona
St. Jude Donor '08
Here is what I did on my 38 dodge biz coupe, and 2 previous projects. I have a mig and plasma cutter so this helps a little. I get the suspension kits from a company called Street Rod Engineering out of Lake Havasu, AZ. Tom is the guy to ask for. He was very helpful with questions during the installation process. I have used them on a 46 Ford Tudor, a 47 Ford pickup, and my current 38 dodge project.
http://www.streetrodengineering.com/
here is the 38 dodge biz coupe
http://photobucket.com/albums/b203/a...eengine004.jpg
here is the '47 pickup
http://photobucket.com/albums/b203/a...t=B02_0002.jpg
http://www.streetrodengineering.com/
here is the 38 dodge biz coupe
http://photobucket.com/albums/b203/a...eengine004.jpg
here is the '47 pickup
http://photobucket.com/albums/b203/a...t=B02_0002.jpg
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,874
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From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
chevy69....thats a sweet set up.....did you have to remove a crossmember to do that or did it just get installed behind the original crossmember? what kind of suspension did the car have before a transverse spring or two paralllel springs? thanks bob
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,547
Likes: 12
From: Carbondale Pa.
Hey Bob, Do you know if the frame needs to be boxed to use the bolt in crossmember ? I was thinking about the same kind of deal for my '40, along with a pair of parallel rear leafs, any idea about what rear you will be using? but I think it'll have to wait until I get this Corvette project on the road, the '40 still drives (or would if I got a new battery), good luck to ya on the '37 they are definately cool 
Peace,,,Moosie
Peace,,,Moosie
Last edited by moosie982; Dec 19, 2005 at 09:03 AM.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
Originally Posted by moosie982
Hey Bob, Do you know if the frame needs to be boxed to use the bolt in crossmember ? I was thinking about the same kind of deal for my '40, along with a pair of parallel rear leafs, any idea about what rear you will be using? but I think it'll have to wait until I get this Corvette project on the road, the '40 still drives (or would if I got a new battery), good luck to ya on the '37 they are definately cool
Peace,,,Moosie
Peace,,,Moosie
we should ask jslu75 i think he installed the bolt in one....i don't think the frame needs to boxed to do this but it is obvioulsy a good idea especailly if you are dropping in a SBC....i will be using a new rear axle with a parallel leaf design....it will probalby be a GM one since thats the easiest for me to get....is your 40 frame like mine? if it is when we make up the new frame nis section crossmembers we can make up a second set for your car....not sure where you live in NY but if its close you can drive down and pick them up. we are planning to do the crossmembers out of tubing kind of like what Pete and Jakes sells....
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,547
Likes: 12
From: Carbondale Pa.
Hi Bob, thanks for the reply, yes I am almost positive that the frames are the same, or at least very similar, from all the companys that sell reproduction frames they all list '35 to '40 as being the same ? What exactly kind of frame sections are you talking about ? I live up here in N.Y. about 30 miles or so (northwest) from where N.Y., N.J. and Pennsylvania meet, nearby the Deleware River corridor. I think that boxing would need to be done if only to strengthen the frame , after all we are dealing with some old iron here. The main reason for me wanting a bolt in crossmember is that in that way I'd be able to do almost all of the work at home without having to farm out any of it without the the boxing part. I dont have a welder nor do I weld, my mentor was gonna teach me many years ago but got upset with me when I lit the torch, and thats as far as the welding lessons (of any kind) got, he was a patient man . Yep, the Mustang II front suspensions may be outdated, but in light of what they are replacing are light years ahead in design, handling and ride quality, besides thats the reason for the Corvette,,, handling. Peace,,,Moosie
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 11,520
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From: CORVETTE 77 385 C.I. TEXAS
Originally Posted by moosie982
... besides thats the reason for the Corvette,,, handling. Peace,,,Moosie
Here's something I came across awhile back:
By Don Meyer
"I have built approx 40 rods over the last 40 yrs. I have used both Must II(both factory, TCI & Hiedts) & Camaro/Nova on most. I also have installed these on many customer cars before retirement. I also believe I was the first to us a Must II IFS.
From this knowledge base, the Camaro is a nicer IFS. Better handling w/Globalwest upper A arms, heavy duty sway bar available is available & w/power steering it just plain has a better fill to it. You can also us late model El Caminos/Mc's....etc, which are narrower." Don Meyer
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
Originally Posted by moosie982
.... What exactly kind of frame sections are you talking about ?
i'm thinking it would look something like this:
http://www.peteandjakes.com/parts/35FordIFS.htm
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 34,454
Likes: 665
From: Republic of Texas
Not bad, in our shop we use Fatman Fabrication on all the Street Rods we build. Been very impressed w/ their products and the customers love the ride/look.
http://www.fatmanfab.com/
http://www.fatmanfab.com/
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Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,547
Likes: 12
From: Carbondale Pa.
Hey, Yep, Sullivan County, the "good side". but the tourists are starting to re-discover us, Narrowsburg, Lake Huntington, Woodstock 1969 site, Bethel. Yes, that frame that you directed me to would be deluxe, back when I was rich I seriously considered it, damn,, shoulda done it, now that I'm a brokester again maybe I just oughta concentrate on the important things,,,,,,,,,Kids first, cars second, the son graduates this year (if he can squeak by in math etc.) and the daughter will graduate next year, (no problem with her,,, an excellent student) both speak of college. 
Good to dream,,, me,, not the kids, God bless 'em they will go to college if they want,, me I'll continue to dream about my Ford.
Peace,,,,,Moosie
Good to dream,,, me,, not the kids, God bless 'em they will go to college if they want,, me I'll continue to dream about my Ford.Peace,,,,,Moosie
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,874
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From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
moosie when i get around to building the crossmember if you want me to build two at the same time i will....most of the work will be in figuring it out, the fabrication part should be easy and fun..
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,877
Likes: 39
From: cincinnati ohio
Cruise-In V Veteran
I did install the bolt in Mll from CE.They told me the frame did not need to be boxed with their unit.I wanted the bolt in for the same reason that Moosie does.Don't know how to weld and wanted to do it myself.The CE crossmember was really easy to install.I installed TCI leaf spring rear susp.Bob did you get the pics I sent you?
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Chandler Arizona
St. Jude Donor '08
Originally Posted by bobs77vet
chevy69....thats a sweet set up.....did you have to remove a crossmember to do that or did it just get installed behind the original crossmember? what kind of suspension did the car have before a transverse spring or two paralllel springs? thanks bob
here is the '38 dodge after I stripped the front end off and pulled all the old drivetrain, etc... out:
http://photobucket.com/albums/b203/a...odgework13.jpg
Here is the front end welded in - note the inside of the frame and all the cutting/welding that had to be done. Fords are NOT this difficult. I had some help on this part of the job.
http://photobucket.com/albums/b203/a...odgework33.jpg
Here is what I started with on the '47 pickup - a real bubba special. I had a lot of cutting, grinding, etc.. but cleaned it down to the bare frame:
http://photobucket.com/albums/b203/a...t=B47_0096.jpg
Here is the frame after I boxed it in and welded the crossbember in (before bolting on all the suspension). I did this one entirely on my own.
http://photobucket.com/albums/b203/a...t=B37_0147.jpg
Last edited by chevy69; Dec 19, 2005 at 06:25 PM.
Thread Starter
Race Director
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From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
jslu75 i got the pictures thanks, they help alot, that frame is awsome, hope mine looks that good...
chevy 69 that looks really good, what tolerances do you have to be within when you weld everything up? are we talking .000s or are we talking 1/16". Glad i don't have to make the decision tomorrow, because they all look really good...what do you use as the reference ? the front crossmember? what did you weld it in with Arc or Mig?
chevy 69 that looks really good, what tolerances do you have to be within when you weld everything up? are we talking .000s or are we talking 1/16". Glad i don't have to make the decision tomorrow, because they all look really good...what do you use as the reference ? the front crossmember? what did you weld it in with Arc or Mig?
Last edited by bobs77vet; Dec 19, 2005 at 07:55 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,654
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From: Chandler Arizona
St. Jude Donor '08
Originally Posted by bobs77vet
jslu75 i got the pictures thanks, they help alot, that frame is awsome, hope mine looks that good...
chevy 69 that looks really good, what tolerances do you have to be within when you weld everything up? are we talking .000s or are we talking 1/16". Glad i don't have to make the decision tomorrow, because they all look really good...what do you use as the reference ? the front crossmember? what did you weld it in with Arc or Mig?
chevy 69 that looks really good, what tolerances do you have to be within when you weld everything up? are we talking .000s or are we talking 1/16". Glad i don't have to make the decision tomorrow, because they all look really good...what do you use as the reference ? the front crossmember? what did you weld it in with Arc or Mig?
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,874
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From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
thanks, i'm thinking i may upgrade my Lincoln migpak 125 a couple of notches if i decide to go with a weld in one. i'm thinking the small Lincoln just may not give the penetration i need. And yes i agree with you after boxing in about 60 feet of frame rails I should have sharpened up my welding skills.
