1938 Plymouth Coupe front axle flip

[hotrodlincon]

In an effort to stay on budget, can the front axle of an 1938 Plymouth Coupe be "flipped" to lower it?

 

Flipped defined as mounting axle on top of the leaf springs vice underneath as stock.

 

The lowered gain would be the width of the axle, steering may/may not have to be tweaked.

 

I recently scored a 38 coupe and have yet to dive in.

 

Thanks in advance 

[Sniper]

Your pictures aren't loading.  I had a 38 Plymouth, decades ago.  IIRC, the distance between the frame rail and the axle tube would be minimal after this swap.

[hotrodlincon]

Yea looks tight, I believe there is some sheet metal panels under there that possibly could be removed to help.

 

I'm sure someone has tried this as the price to have the axle dropped is expensive not to include shipping.

[Sniper]

Sheet metal isn't the issue, again, if I recall correctly, but rather the frame itself.  Measure the clearance between the top of the spring to the frame, then subtract the height of the axle and attaching stuff, that will give you your clearances.

[Veemoney]

You could go look at if a smaller diameter tire and possibly rim would work to give some drop. Those front springs are likely tired, and tires on it now may need replacing anyway. To Snipers point the frame and oil pan will likely limit moving the axle up unless your prepared to notch out some sections to butcher it up.  Best to get it cleaned up and running before any major changes if it were me. Keep us posted 

[lemondana]

Someone used to have dropped spindles for these, they were modified stock spindles.  I think it was Fatman Fabrications.

[andyd]

I thought the only dropped spindles were those made for the independant suspensions from 1939 onwards..........andyd

[Sniper]

As far as I'm aware of the fat man dropped spindles but only for the independent front suspension 

[SteveR]

Not sure how to go about this but what about putting 16" tires on the back and 14" on the front?

[FarmerJon]

What about an aftermarket tube axle? A quick look shows lots of options, from straight to 6+" of drop, in ford or chevy spindle type. I would think that either spindle type would have lots of front brake options, allowing you to keep stock lug pattern.  

There are also a few street rod shops that do semi-custom tube axles, you may be able to get them to make you one that will take your stock spindles and leaf spings.

 

 

 

[hotrodlincon]

Smaller rims/tires for sure. Have a set of Coker wide whites which are about 2" shorter that the 16" wheels on there now. 

 

Nostalgia Sid quoted me $425 to drop my stock axle 3". The rub there is shipping it to/from CA to OK. That'll add a couple hundred to the total but, an option.

 

Went to the Long Beach swap meet yesterday to see if I could get any leads on someone local that'll drop my axle. No joy.

 

Once it's up and running then I'll look more into lowering it. 

 

Appreciate all the comments.

 

My parts getter, 52 Customline which is for sale to find the 38 project.

[Davidcc]

To hotrodlincoln,

Did you ever get an answer to your original question?  Or, have you tried it yet?  I also have a stock '38 Plymouth Coupe and have contemplated the same thing  - lowering the front end by moving the front axle above the springs.  Probably like you, though, I'm concerned about the loss of support and the stress on the U-bolts.  I had new front springs made for mine, I could find or fabricate new spring mounts, and have considered heftier U-bolts made to fit but still not sure it would be safe to try.   

Also, maybe you have seen it already, but a 2" diameter tube axle with a 4" drop is available from Speedway Motors - "Dropped Gasser front axle, 48" wide, 4" drop" ($350+) and I believe it would fit our cars (plus allow for disc brakes) but then problems arise with the tie rod location and adding disc brakes would require a new and relocated master cylinder and all the work (and $$) that that would involve makes me shudder.

 Anyway, I know it's been awhile since your post but I would like to hear what, if anything, you came up with to lower your front end.  

[Frank Gooz]

Is there anyone that can drop /rebend your axle?

Along while back there was a man in Oakland CA that did this work.  Moore drop.

I think there is a shop that makes drop axles for the early Dodge trucks Pilot house era.