just picked up a 31 model A tudor. its bad, but theres almost enough left to build a pickup cab......
anyway, my question is about the frame and suspension. the frame is bone stock down to the flathead four, rust, and brake cables. all origonal, all worn out.
i have a few rear ends lying about, as i dont trust the spline/keyway design of the banjo housing, and i dont know what hydraulic brakes would fit. the rear suspension im looking at consists of wishbones and quarter elliptical (the half a leaf spring design) springs, with napa shocks that fit whatever the specs end up being. does this sound safe and durable? what about period correct? (im going for a mid to late fifties build style, metal flake, wide whites, and tuck and roll......)
about the front:
i had a 29 roadster for a little while with a suicide axle up front, and it never steered correctly. but i loved the look of it, and i see the rat rod guys claiming that the suicide is period correct. but i also see the axle in the stock location and dropped hard, and that looks good. so the best question is, which way should i go for ride quality, handling, and durability, as well as styles sake?
next question:
im going to box the frame. that only seems intelligent. also going to build custom x-members for added rigidity. should i box flush with the inside lip of the factory frame, recess the box a half inch, or what? im looking for the strength.looks ill deal with after its strong.
so, at this point, is it brighter to just build my own frame from 2X4 box tubing, and buy some factory X members for the front, or stick with the stock frame?
please, this is my first complete hot rod buildup that didnt start with a muscle car or fullsize from the sixties, so im a little lost. i have fabrication skills, and time, but not a lot of money, so im looking for the homebuilt way thats right and inexpensive.
thanks
mike, owner/operator
Hellbilly Hotrods
:evil:
anyway, my question is about the frame and suspension. the frame is bone stock down to the flathead four, rust, and brake cables. all origonal, all worn out.
i have a few rear ends lying about, as i dont trust the spline/keyway design of the banjo housing, and i dont know what hydraulic brakes would fit. the rear suspension im looking at consists of wishbones and quarter elliptical (the half a leaf spring design) springs, with napa shocks that fit whatever the specs end up being. does this sound safe and durable? what about period correct? (im going for a mid to late fifties build style, metal flake, wide whites, and tuck and roll......)
about the front:
i had a 29 roadster for a little while with a suicide axle up front, and it never steered correctly. but i loved the look of it, and i see the rat rod guys claiming that the suicide is period correct. but i also see the axle in the stock location and dropped hard, and that looks good. so the best question is, which way should i go for ride quality, handling, and durability, as well as styles sake?
next question:
im going to box the frame. that only seems intelligent. also going to build custom x-members for added rigidity. should i box flush with the inside lip of the factory frame, recess the box a half inch, or what? im looking for the strength.looks ill deal with after its strong.
so, at this point, is it brighter to just build my own frame from 2X4 box tubing, and buy some factory X members for the front, or stick with the stock frame?
please, this is my first complete hot rod buildup that didnt start with a muscle car or fullsize from the sixties, so im a little lost. i have fabrication skills, and time, but not a lot of money, so im looking for the homebuilt way thats right and inexpensive.
thanks
mike, owner/operator
Hellbilly Hotrods
:evil: