are the drop axles that speedway offers of good quality???? has anyone used them or know of anyone that has????

 

I've heard good and bad over on the HAMB. I would avoid anything but a stretched OEM axle, personally. There are two outfits that do it right and reliably, I think one is in OK and the other in AZ. Do some web searching I'm sure you'll find them.

 

Sid has been HAMB recommended for a good long while: Dropped axle Axles Axel

 

I didn't find a dropped axle for 53-55 F100 on Speedway's web site?

 

its on page 100 of the catalog

 

OK, I found it, pg 98 in my 2012 catalog. The assembled axles have a reputation for the ends not being in alignment with each other, likely due to warpage in welding. The link in 49er's post has an excellent reputation for building accurate stock width dropped axles and they are cheaper than the Speedway ones.

 

Note that you need to send your axle to Sid, he stretches it. It's not a new axle.

 

He does drop yours or exchanges it for a completed one. He does it right. I don't know anyone else offering a 4" drop.

 

thanks for the info you guys put me on the right path

 

Newbie question. If stretched means they add to the dropped axle to compensate for the drop, how can you install one that isn't stretched?

 

Stretched means they literally heat the end of the axle and stretch it to produce a drop. Some companies make brand new axles that incorporate a drop, but the metallurgy and manufacturing methods are frequently suspect. Ford used very high quality steel of the proper alloys, and huge forging presses. Many of the aftermarket (new) axles are cast iron, which is brittle, but cheap.

 

Sent mine to Sid, he did a GREAT job....

Stretched, new kingpins installed, and tie rod end drops were about $500. Freight was about $90 round trip.

 

Ross,
Sorry but I had to ask. Sounds like the way to go! And only 90 bucks for shipping, how can you go wrong?

 

Some droppers simply heat the axle ends an rebend them to produce the drop, but when you do it that way the kingpins move in towards each other making the tread width narrower. By hammering (forging) the hot steel you can stretch it to compensate for the tighter bends so the axle remains the same width as OEM. The Axle in question that Speedway sells is made from CNC milled steel billet axle ends that are inserted and welded into a steel tube center. Some that bought the 3 piece axles found that the king pins were not aligned with each other. It was generally thought that even though the axles were welded in a jig, some warped and twisted as they cooled or as the spring perches were welded on.

 

Thanks Ax. Wish I had you in my area. You're a wealth of knowledge.