Jonnylightening
Well-Known Member
What all is involved in converting an early A to a straight axle gasser? Anyone have any hints/tips on this process? Any build up pics?
I'm pretty good with a mig...I build garbage/recycling bodies for a living.Look on Speedwaymotors for complete straight axle kits. How are your fabrication skills? 65'
Can you show some progress pics? I have 2 8.75 rears from C Bodies so was thinking of using one of those to get that wide gasser look?Am using an axle off of a '69 ish Dodge van. Had to narrow it and still need to finish steering linkage. I don't like straight tube axles, wanted a dropped I-beam. Definitely more work, though. Also tight clearance between fender well headers and front tires could be an issue. My mock-up runs 14" low profile tires, and it's still tight.
Can you show some progress pics? I have 2 8.75 rears from C Bodies so was thinking of using one of those to get that wide gasser look?
I was honestly trying to find one from a d100 or a100Be careful of these import "speed something" straight/ dropped axles. Some time back someone posted an accident involving a "hot rod" that axle broke off like a toothpick. Cheap cast iron.
Don`t bother, more trouble than it`s worth.I was honestly trying to find one from a d100 or a100
Never thought of the older Fords! Those seem to be more plentiful! Even a chev?d1 is likely too wide. How about an early Econoline van? Or maybe an earlier pickup. Some of those were narrower.
Any buildup pics?We used an Econoline axle. Took five inches out of the center. Built a jig to bolt through the spring pads. V the piss out of it and rooted it back together. Has been abused by several wheels up launches, still holding strong. Plug/strip welded some 7ga. steel on the frame rails for rear spring hangers. Ran some square tube out the front rails to hang shackles. Welded in some mitered square tube for engine cross member. Eliminated the factory K altogether. Welded some plate from rail to new engine cross member for stock steering box in stockish location. Has a rear steer drag link to passenger side steering arm. Used a conglomeration of home made brackets, 10 1/2 inch slider caliper brackets, and 87-91 Dakota 4wd front rotors. Car in question is in my avatar. We call it, the Carp. Ugly *** freshwater fish.
Steve Magnante recently posted the videos he made a while back of his altered wheelbase gasser early Dart on Youtube. It's a good series! The build was also highlighted in Hotrod Magazine as well if I recall correctly
Here's part 1:
Sorry, I don't. Something I'm very terrible at. At some point in the near future I could snap some pics.Do you have
Any buildup pics?
I forgot I have that book!!!There's a book too, it covers an early Nova, the Esserman Dodge, and a Ford Fairmont.
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That would be great!Sorry, I don't. Something I'm very terrible at. At some point in the near future I could snap some pics.
I found a Senatore engine book I'd forgotten about while looking for the Magnante book.I forgot I have that book!!!
Magnante built several.There's a book too, it covers an early Nova, the Esserman Dodge, and a Ford Fairmont.
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