Anybody have a used drop axle they want to sell? If not where is the best deal on a new one? This is my first post on this forum. I have been working on my 56 for about 3 years now and still have a long way to go. Here is a little info on what I am building. I have a 460 with a 2x4 setup on it, 10.5 to 1 compression, sanderson block hugger headers and much more. I have a toploader 4 speed going behind it and a 9" inch rear with a posi. I have been running into a few clearance problems but it will come together. The shipping on parts is starting to eat me alive!!!! Mark

 

Mid Fifty sells a good 3" dropped axle, this is a brand new unit, not a reworked stock axle. Watch out for some of the older ones that were very badly done. If buying used, examine the bent areas very carefully for kinks, hammer marks, uneven edges to the beam flanges. These can all be indicators that the dropping was done quick and dirty. Also measure the length against a stock axle, one dropped by bending will be narrower than stock.

 

Mark, also, keep in mind that Mid Fifty charges 10% for shipping and that can make the part a lot more expensive to buy compared to the manufacturer or other suppliers that charge actual ship charges. However, mid fifty is one of the best suppliers overall. I have bought dropped straights from Vintage,Magnum,and Posie in the past so look into that. I would agree with AX on the used, and perhaps even "steer" clear of them.
Where have you been for 3 years??? You have a lot of catching up to do in building your gallery "cuz we love pictures" .. Keep us posted.

Jon

 

I will look into those places. Pictures are comming. Thanks

 

Mark,

Did you see this one on ebay?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1953-...QQcmdZViewItem

 

[QUOTE=merten]Mark,

Did you see this one on ebay?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1953-56-Ford-F-100-Pickup-Dropped-Axle-Hot-Rat-Rod_W0QQitemZ250122151744QQihZ015QQcategoryZ34200Q QrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem[/QUOTE]

That one appears to have been done right, stretch forged to original length without obvious bobbles, pinches or kinks in the I beam on the dropped portion.

 

I would buy new, I hate to say this but I was looking at some on ebay (upay) and some of them were home built deals, you could see that the bends were not even and the welds were uh, not great. The ones that Mid Fifty sells are machined and of great quality, check to see who is close to you, MF/Carpenters,Blue Oval ect. you can probobly pick it up cheeper than having it shipped-maybe?

Kyle

 

Classic Performance Products sells a tube drop-axle with CNC machined ends. It's kind of ugly and I wouldn't use one on my truck, but it's an option.

A heated & dropped stock axle looks the best, IMO. Right now there's this one up on the eBay auction block.

Alternatively, you can join the HAMB (jalopyjournal.com) and send a PM to loudpedal. He can drop the axle you've got for $300, and he does quality work. If you include your steering arms in the package, he'll do them too.

 

The best deal I could find as far as the axle is at speedway motors .com. There is no core charge and the shipping is very reasonable. It is a tube style 3" drop. It is on its way thanks for the info guys!!!! Mark

 

I surprised my buddy Joe Hoffman hasn't posted yet. Joe just purchased the drop axle from Mid Fifties and installed it in his truck. He took it to a machine shop to have the king pins pressed in and the machinist said the one side hole was way too big. Joe had to send it back and get another one. MF's made a big deal about it saying there was nothing wrong with the axle. They did send another and it worked out well. MF's is pretty expensive, from what Joe said it was a pretty easy install and the ride is great. I kinda like the original style and am looking on dropping my axle also. Do I still need the tie rod drop with the original style axle drop?

 

You will need the tie rod end drops, u bolts, tie plates, and new king pins. I purchased the axle and king pins from speedway but for some reason the tie rod drops were a bit more expensive there. I will get those from classic performance. mark

 

I just checked with the guy on ebay and he sells the drop axle for $350. That's the reserve price on them also. He'll take $50 off if you give him your stock axle. CPP has the their axle for $419 with the machined ends. I see alot of bidders bidding on the ebay one. $350 is a bit steep for someone to bend mine axles.

 

Check with Steve Szymanski at Industrial Chassis. Steve and his new partner, Adam, have a very good jig to drop axles. They are dropping stock Ford axles from Model A's through '48 and Ford Trucks as well. Adam has been dropping axles for many years and since partnering with Steve, they have really started to expand the shop services. Give them a call at 602 278-6800. Steve, Adam, and the rest of the crew do very good work.

Phil

 

Phil, are these guys in Arizona? Do they have a website by any chance? Thanks.

Ed

 

I did purchase a 3" drop from MF and took it to the machine shop to have the spindles swapped. They told me it was defective with on side king pin hole out of round. Called MF and they had the builder of the axle call me and send another. The second is fine and installed in my 55 and I am very happy with it. Paid 369$ for the axle and love the new stance. Am running reverse eye mains and a seven spring pack with 13" shocks.