dropped axle front end
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Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Western Australia
I have one that I have just bought (out of another 56). Its not in yet but from what I can see and have been told its just a bolt in procedure. I will be fitting it in next few days and will let you know of any probs.
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Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Durham NC
You shouldn't have any problems unless you go to more than a 3" drop. With deeper drops you'll get interference with the tie rod, the steering arms will need to be reworked to drop the tierod in that case. I didn't install mine but I know it came from Mid Fifty.
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Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Santa Clarita
The reason I'm asking, is I noticed that CPP has a kit that they sell. It's a 3" drop but comes with king pin kits, and tie rod ends and these funky looking brackets with a bolt in it to, from what I see, needs to be installed for the steering arms to be lowered or something? I've been told my Mid Fifties, its just a bolt in operation. Am I missing something here?
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Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Durham NC
I suspect CPP sells it complete with all the parts you need whereas MF sells the axle, kingpins and tierod ends separately in case you might not need them. are the plates possibly for the spring U bolts with a shock mount stud built in?
OK, I just looked at the new MF catalog. They are no longer selling the forged dropped axle but a tubular axle with welded in end arms. Possibly the same one CPP is selling? MF says the axle is wider at the spring mounts so requires new spring tie plates and this axle DOES require a dropped tie rod. The sell two different TR dropping kits, the more expensive billet ones must be what you are describing.
I have the older forged dropped I beam axle, not the tubular one.
OK, I just looked at the new MF catalog. They are no longer selling the forged dropped axle but a tubular axle with welded in end arms. Possibly the same one CPP is selling? MF says the axle is wider at the spring mounts so requires new spring tie plates and this axle DOES require a dropped tie rod. The sell two different TR dropping kits, the more expensive billet ones must be what you are describing.
I have the older forged dropped I beam axle, not the tubular one.
Last edited by AXracer; Mar 21, 2007 at 04:52 PM.
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Postmaster
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From: Santa Clarita
AX- I think your right. I checked with CPP and they said that it is advised to go with the entire kit. The brackets that comes with it is to lower the tie rod since it will be effected by the lowering of the stance of the vehicle. Interesting? that MF would be using the same axle as the one from CPP? CPP sell the entire kit with HD tie rods, the bracket, Axle and king pin kit for $525.
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Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Durham NC
It wouldn't surprise me at all that they were selling the same axle, there are very few companies making dropped axles these days. Mor drop and probably an Asian knock off.
Maybe the Asian company quit as well since they no longer offer the beam style.
If you buy it piecemeal from MF it's ~576.
Maybe the Asian company quit as well since they no longer offer the beam style.
If you buy it piecemeal from MF it's ~576.
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Joined: Jul 2003
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Maybe the other place is CenPen? They make a 3" drop axle and the tie-rod drops (listed at $369 for the axle and $139 for a pair of tie-rod drops) on their website. They also state that the 4" drop axle will be available "soon", but the site hasn't been changed in a long time. The axle is a tube with welded on end fittings and perches.
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Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 15,882
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From: Durham NC
I now think the tubular axles are being made by Super bell.
If you want to have your axle dropped, here's a guy in Phoenix that appears to do first class work: http://www.roadsters.com/welcome/
Campbell may also be right????
If you want to have your axle dropped, here's a guy in Phoenix that appears to do first class work: http://www.roadsters.com/welcome/
Campbell may also be right????
Last edited by AXracer; Mar 21, 2007 at 08:56 PM.
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Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Santa Clarita
The guy in Phoenix takes your axle and heats them up and stretches the drop for you. I seen some reviews that state when they stretch the axle, the king pin bolt hole is elongated and causes problems.
Campbell- From what I found out so far, a 3" drop axle is as far as you want to go without having problems. Not sure if there would be a market for a 4". That is a big drop in the front suspension. Interesting info here though.
Campbell- From what I found out so far, a 3" drop axle is as far as you want to go without having problems. Not sure if there would be a market for a 4". That is a big drop in the front suspension. Interesting info here though.
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Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Durham NC
Originally Posted by imlowr2
The guy in Phoenix takes your axle and heats them up and stretches the drop for you. I seen some reviews that state when they stretch the axle, the king pin bolt hole is elongated and causes problems.
Campbell- From what I found out so far, a 3" drop axle is as far as you want to go without having problems. Not sure if there would be a market for a 4". That is a big drop in the front suspension. Interesting info here though.
Campbell- From what I found out so far, a 3" drop axle is as far as you want to go without having problems. Not sure if there would be a market for a 4". That is a big drop in the front suspension. Interesting info here though.
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Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Santa Clarita
I called Dave in Phoenix Arizona today. I have to send him my front axle via UPS, which who knows how much that cost. Then he charges $430 to drop my axle, plus shipping back. That's expensive. I'm looking at MF for the best deal so far. (or I have a cool acetylene torch set that I can use to stretch my own axle) LOL... What's a extra inch or two on one side, right? The things we must go through to be low and cool looking. Welcome to the world of the darksiders.
Last edited by imlowr2; Mar 22, 2007 at 01:42 PM.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 15,882
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From: Durham NC
The one that MF sells is not exactly a dropped axle in that it's a completely new unit made from machined steel ends welded into a steel tubing center. Nothing wrong with that (MUCH preferable to a badly done stretch), it will just have a different appearance.
Last edited by AXracer; Mar 22, 2007 at 01:59 PM.
Junior User
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Grapeview, WA
I used the 3" dropped axle from Mid-Fifty, along with the billet tie rod end drops (only billet in the truck) on my '55.
Also used the low front springs. Appearance of the axle (it looks good) is not an issue because you have to lay on your stomach to see under the front of the truck. You have to use their spring plates because the axle is wider than stock.
Everything went together real well and I am very pleased with apperance and performance. Also used Mid Fifty kit to raise the top shock mounts and lower the bottom shock mounts to get some shock travel.
After driving it all last summer the truck's back down to the frame to refine and replace some of the other "make-do" stuff I did.
John
Also used the low front springs. Appearance of the axle (it looks good) is not an issue because you have to lay on your stomach to see under the front of the truck. You have to use their spring plates because the axle is wider than stock.
Everything went together real well and I am very pleased with apperance and performance. Also used Mid Fifty kit to raise the top shock mounts and lower the bottom shock mounts to get some shock travel.
After driving it all last summer the truck's back down to the frame to refine and replace some of the other "make-do" stuff I did.
John