Straight axle

[55fairlane]

Hi Guy

What would be the best axle to use on my 55
Thinking of changing to straight axle over the winter

Neil

[1Bad56]

When mid-50's rides where running the gasser classes, some used axles from the Ford Ecnonline van.
I see Speedway Motors now sells gasser style straignt axles.

[dustyrustee]

I would go with tube.....Be vey cautious on wall thickness... no less than 1/4" wall thickness....go mild steel D>O>M seamless...reccomend to stay away from chrome moly for street use....

If you are going to use sem-elliptic springs, proceedure must be followed to minimize warping when welding on spring pads...do it wrong and your axle will take on a curve like a 'banana'....

thats my opinion for the moment...Ian

[55fairlane]

Thanks for the input guys

I think my older bro. used a ford E van axle on his 59.

But that was in late 60's 69 maybe i was knee high to a grasshopper

Ian as a welder and powder coater i know what you mean about warping

Just not sure what way i want to go (easiest) most likely

Thanks
Neil

[dustyrustee]

Thanks for the input guys

I think my older bro. used a ford E van axle on his 59.

But that was in late 60's 69 maybe i was knee high to a grasshopper

Ian as a welder and powder coater i know what you mean about warping

Just not sure what way i want to go (easiest) most likely

Thanks
Neil

well Neil, I guess a lot depends on what look you are after...here is my view:

1) van axle: ugly and chunky....if you have a nice ride and throw a van axle under it, you will look like a scrap yard scrounger doing a scab-up....ok if you are throwing together an off road bush buggy...and by me that is about it...and you may end up doing convoluted spring mounts off your frame to match up to the van axle pad locations...or: altering the axle, which again is a scab approach. remember, you need the right hub to hub measurement so the wheels sit right within the fenders...

2) tube axle...straight or dropped...depending on whether you want gasser highboy look or not....nice, clean easy fit-up....and clean looks.....

I once built up a 1963 acadian highboy gasser back in 1970 or so when the look was really in....I made my own straight tube axle w/econoline spindles...had it chromed (baked so no hydrogen embrittlement)....and ended up with something I really liked...I knew a couple of guys that went the van axle route and I thought their cars looked like trucks....and definitely had a cheapskate look...

as for easiest way: new tube axle will bring you the least hassles..you can get the right hub to hub width, and get your spring mounting points dead on where you want them...

I always believed that anything worth doing is definitely worth doing right...

so thats where I stand on the subject....

[55fairlane]

Ian

Don't be shy say what you think. lol you are right the van axle might look a bit

Chunky by the way the right way is always the easiest way in the end

Ask any trades men

Neil

[PG409]

Neil

Before you head down the "straight" road, consider what you wish
to use your car for.. will you be doing lots of street driving, highway
and long distance cruising. If so, you may wish to stay with Ford's
original A arm suspension.
If only Sat night cruising, a few shows and never leaving the upper
Island area, then obviously the axle would do for ya.

Another postcript.....plan your steering stuff. The '55 box is against the firewall
behind the tubular motor mount crossmember. How ya gonna hook it up ??

[dustyrustee]

Ian

Don't be shy say what you think. lol you are right the van axle might look a bit

Chunky by the way the right way is always the easiest way in the end

Ask any trades men

Neil

yeah Neil, I guess that is my nature (a tadd outspoken at times, lol..)

and being a tradesman myself (craftsman?), I guess we see eye to eye on doing things right or wrong.

ps: I think straight axle cars look cool, cause I love the traditional street gasser look,

for me a hot rod is a hot rod....

best luck at any rate...Ian

[55fairlane]

Thanks

You guys bring up some good points and this is why i ask at the planning stage.
All your replys are greatly appreciated

Thanks
Neil