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440 '48 Plymouth Coupe

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  • #31
    Probably wont take much to either modify the drag link to lower it, or even convert to cross steer. If it has tabbs on the spindles for mounting the caliperr brackets, then you can sandwich an arm on them with longer bolts and fab something up.
    Last edited by 1946Austin; August 15, 2012, 07:47 AM.

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    • #32
      I've never built a car like this so this is probably a really dumb question... can you mount a steering box on the outside of the frame, or, mount a rack and pinion to the tube/solid axle?
      There's always something new to learn.

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      • #33
        Looks great!

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        • #34
          Originally posted by milner351 View Post
          can you ...mount a rack and pinion to the tube/solid axle?
          I've always wondered that myself, if you had a steering shaft that could take all of the motion going on you would think this would be a great way to totally eliminate a bunch of weight, all that monkey motion linkage, and best of all, bumpsteer!
          Last edited by hauen; August 15, 2012, 09:12 AM.

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          • #35
            You can mount a rack and pinion on the axle if you use some sort of sliding coupler in the steering column but I don't like the way that looks.

            Mounting a Chevy pickup steering box on the outside of the frame and cross steering it was one option I was considering. The axle has Chevy spindles so it would be easy and cheap to get a steering arm set up from Speedway. Ideally I think I want to use a push pull setup and make use of the steering arm that's already on the axle.

            Going to finish mounting the transmission and get the front suspension attached while I decide how to tackle the steering.

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            • #36
              Vega box mounted up like they do on solid axle Fords? One would think it's gotta be a lot lighter than most cross-steer boxes, especially a truck box.

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              • #37
                Keep it clean, whatever you do! Mounting anything extra just clutters up a really nice straight axle, and that's part of the reason for going straight axle! Making a new arm, reworking the arm, or whatever to make it push pull is great. Just be sure the drag link from the box to the arm is level, so it's on the same plain and wont give you bump steer. A little angle wont cause it, but I've owned some straight axle cars that could switch lanes on a hard bump! They had 5"-6" of difference between one end of the drag link and the other. By reworking or reloacating the arms I was able to get rid of all the bumpsteer issues.

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                • #38
                  Still pondering steering options so decided to get on with some other jobs first. Tacked some box together to make a trans crossmember - still need to add a couple of gussets and round off some edges but wanted to get it in the car before I ran out of daylight - I'll tidy it all up when I pull it back out for final welding.

                  Also got the mounts for the rear of the front springs tacked in and cleaned up some of the frame.

                  Finally a pic looking from inside the car showing the engine/trans and headers in place.
                  Attached Files

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                  • #39
                    Boy you're moving right along on this! My vote is for cross steer if you can. It'll ake it steer much better by getting rid of a lot of bump steer issues.
                    Tom
                    Overdrive is overrated


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                    • #40
                      Nice fab work! You must be going a little lower in front with the axle above the springs?

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                      • #41
                        Originally posted by 1946Austin View Post
                        Nice fab work! You must be going a little lower in front with the axle above the springs?
                        Thanks!

                        Not decided for definite on whether the axle will be above or below the springs but I want it to sit about the same height as my last one (pic on first page of thread). That had an early Econoline axle with a bit of a drop in it so I thought mounting the straight axle above the springs might come out about the same. Nothing's welded on the axle yet so I can still change my mind once I get it a bit closer to rolling.

                        And yes, I think I will be cross steering it.

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                        • #42
                          Aaargh, what have I done!!??
                          Attached Files

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                          • #43
                            I wasn't happy with the way the stock frame was going to work out with the straight axle so I decided to lop the front 2' off and replace with box section. I originally planned to run the rails down at an angle to go under the front of the fenders but I didn't like the way it looked and cut it all back off again - would have been a lot quicker if I'd made my mind up before finish welding it all...

                            Started again and cut the rails slightly shorter to fit behind the fenders. I'll have to put a small extension on to fit the shackle mount to and I'm also going to put the axle under the springs to make up the difference in height.

                            With the front crossmember gone I had to make something up to mount the radiator yoke to so a simple piece of box with some angle welded to it took care of that.

                            Next up suspension and steering!
                            Attached Files

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                            • #44
                              That really cleaned the frame up! And it will make mounting the straight axle a lot easier now! Nice work!

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                              • #45
                                You're making quick work of this! Sure can tell you've done this before! Nice clean set up with the front of the car on.
                                There's always something new to learn.

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