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Hello I'm new to the forum but have been working on my 56 effie for over 6 years. I'm looking for a 3" dropped axle. Anyone that has one for sale let me know I'm interested. Thanks.
Rollin 50s,
My guess here is that you are either wanting to maintain the straight axle or looking to keep costs down.
This is only my opinion so take it for what it's worth, 2-cents.
I installed a 4-inch drop axle. At the time mine was a cost consideration. This was also before I actually knew the potential issues involved. These include but not limited to bump steer, brake steer, roll steer and others. In my case I removed every-other-spring leaf from the front as well in an attempt to get as low as possible. To get the drag link to connect, I cut and welded in a section along with a sleeve for strength with a dog-leg bend so everything lined up. To accommodate the tie-rod ends, I fabricated and welded my own drop brackets to get the tie-rod below the springs.
So if I had to do it again I would not use such a deep drop axle. I would use maybe a 2.5-inch drop axle with reverse eye springs. This will put you in the same neighborhood.
Now for the cost considerations: The last time I looked you can expect to spend around $1100 for the axle and springs. And that does not include if you want disc brakes or power steering. I think that if you look at total costs, axle, springs, disc brakes and Toyota-power steering kit you will find you are now north of $1900.
For that amount of money you can find several IFS kits that are comparable in costs.
For my next rebuild of my 54 F100 I am planning of the TCI IFS kit. While this is approximately $3000, not counting the engine-trans and other upgrades, I know that it will be well worth it. I hope after the rebuild of “MrBlue” to get the wife to drive it.
Good Luck,
MrBlue
9 inch Ford rear end mounted over the springs. I have reversed eye main leafs on the rear also. If you put the rear end on top of the springs you'll have to c-notch the frame also.
I might have a solution for you? I've been working on my '48 F-1 for about 10 to 12 years. I have AirRidse suspension all around with a quick change rear end and a Moredrop 3" front axle. This is the same shop that droped the axle for my '34 Ford sedan back in '52. Old man Moore was just a helper when I had the first one done and he was just retireing when I had this last one done back in 2000 or a little before. I've changed plans many times over the years and the last one was to put a four-bar suspension on both the rear and the front end. I spent many hours making the front and rear brackets for this setup and when I got it all done and put it on the front of the PU, there just wasn't enough room. With the steering arms, tie rod, drag link and the four-bar setup it was just too crowded so I took it off and went back to the Main leaf spring to hold the axle in place and the Airbags for the suspension. What I really need is a car axle so I can make brackets to bolt over the axle like the stock wishbones do. This way I can go back the the four-bar seetup. This axle hasn't been used on the road only to hold up the frame and it is painted with POR 15.
If you're interested we might be able to make a trade, yours for mine. To save on freight, if you haven't already purchased one, you could order one from out here in Callifornia and have it drop shipped to me and I could send mine th you.
It's something to think about? If you have any interest, let me know, as you can tell, time doesn't mean too much.
