65 Gasser?

-
Jonnylightening

Jonnylightening

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 4, 2012
Messages
611
Reaction score
166
Location
Pennsylvania
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 think one of the hot setups is to use the A100 and A108 Van straight front axle, but what all it takes to do it, I haven't a clue. If you have the coin, Speedway Motors sells a variety of straight axles and kits. You can get one of those in whatever custom width you need. Of course, they ain't cheap. lol
 
Look on Speedwaymotors for complete straight axle kits. How are your fabrication skills? 65'
 
You Tube Videos. Quite a few.Speedway does one too.
I looked for a set up for my 63 Belvedere as I was thinking the same as you.
There is a web site called Thompson's Garage that has gasser kits/parts.
If I remember it was going to cost about $1700 to $2000 with brakes when all said and done.
Only complaint I read about with Speedway was some guys didn't like that the leaf springs were short.
They may be just right for a early A though.
 
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:
 
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.
 
65wgn440 said:
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.
Click to expand...
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?
 
Be 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.
 
Jonnylightening said:
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?
Click to expand...

Sure, give me a couple days. Just shoved the car in the corner to get my oldest boys project Scamp in. Mine has a B-body axle in it now, initially had a '72-3 Mustang 9" in it. With perches on top of axle, of course !
 
d1 is likely too wide. How about an early Econoline van? Or maybe an earlier pickup. Some of those were narrower.
 
Narrowing a D100 or A100 axle doesn't seem like that big of a deal. If you can find one for cheap, I'd probably just go that route.
 
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.
 
Do you have
408 swinger said:
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.
Click to expand...
Any buildup pics?
 
mopowers said:
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:
Click to expand...

There's a book too, it covers an early Nova, the Esserman Dodge, and a Ford Fairmont.
C445%2C290%2C400%2C400%2CAmazonEmberBold%2C12%2C4%2C0%2C0%2C5_SCLZZZZZZZ_FMpng_BG255%2C255%2C255.png
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
-

Back
Top