Measurements Needed

[Ratcrazy]

Does anyone have or know the measurements for a 39 Ford truck front axle between the kingpins and spring between the eyes?

I purchased a front axle yesterday and the man said it was a 39, just wanting to be sure when I order new bushings and shims.

Thanks and God bless.
Larry

 

[Blue Eyed Devil]

If it has roundback spindles it is a '37-'41. The kingpin kit will be the same for these years...

 

[Ratcrazy]

Thanks, I'll check that tomorrow, but what I am asking what are the measurements between the spring eyes and the kingpin if anyone knows.
Thanks again.

 

[HOT40ROD]

I think it 38 1/2" but it been a while sence I work on one.

 

[Blue Eyed Devil]

I answered your question with an easy way to tell, but here are the exact measurements - '37-'41 axles measure 50 7/8" at the kingpins and 38 1/2" at the perch bosses. The perch boss itself will measure 2 1/4". Here is a pic for some reference...

 

[Ratcrazy]

Thanks good sir.

That helps a lot. I went out and measured mine from center to center of king pin and it measures exactly 50 inches but there is also a slight bend in my axle I discovered yesterday when taking the cross member off the spring. Here's a couple of pictures, maybe these will tell you more as to what I have.

 

[Blue Eyed Devil]

That measurement can't be right, because no Ford axle was even close to that. From the pics it looks like you have a '42-'47 axle. The measurement for them is 52" between kingpin centers and 40 5/8" between perch bolt centers. The perch bosses are also 2 1/4". Your spindles are definitely '42-'48 and so are the backing plates. Do the wishbones have an offset in them to clear the drag link? If so they are '42-'48. Take a pic of them and I will tell you for sure. Take a pic of the drums and I will let you know on those as well...

 

[Ratcrazy]

Blue Eyed Devil
Below are the photos your requested on the front end. I do believe this is a truck front end being the lug pattern is so wide. I do appreciate your help here. Last night I marked the top centers of the king pins and re-measured between them. It is 50 1/2 inches between the two. Taking into account the slight bend in the axle I am hoping after straightening it the measurements will come back to original specs.
Again thanks for your help.

 

[Blue Eyed Devil]

All Ford Passenger cars and light trucks had the 5.5" bolt circle from 1928-1935 and 1940-1948. This looks to be a '42-47 axle and wishbones with corresponding '42-'48 spindles and backing plates, but with earlier style '40-'41 drums. The early Ford juice brake components to interchange, so it is not unusual to find some swapping done over the years. Like I said earlier, the kingpin bushings and shims are ordered according to what spindles you have, not your axle. You will need a kingpin set for '42-'48 spindles. Your brake internals (shoes, wheel cylinders, etc.) will also need to be ordered for '42-'48. That axle definitely has some issues, so check into getting it straightened and if not then pick up another axle. They aren't that hard to find, and you have already taken care of the hard part with the spindles and brakes...

 

[35Mastr]

Thanks good sir.

That helps a lot. I went out and measured mine from center to center of king pin and it measures exactly 50 inches but there is also a slight bend in my axle I discovered yesterday when taking the cross member off the spring. Here's a couple of pictures, maybe these will tell you more as to what I have.

The bend in that first pic is not supposed to be there.That axle may have been pulled on when it was stuck somewhere and bent it.

 

[Ratcrazy]

All Ford Passenger cars and light trucks had the 5.5" bolt circle from 1928-1935 and 1940-1948. This looks to be a '42-47 axle and wishbones with corresponding '42-'48 spindles and backing plates, but with earlier style '40-'41 drums. The early Ford juice brake components to interchange, so it is not unusual to find some swapping done over the years. Like I said earlier, the kingpin bushings and shims are ordered according to what spindles you have, not your axle. You will need a kingpin set for '42-'48 spindles. Your brake internals (shoes, wheel cylinders, etc.) will also need to be ordered for '42-'48. That axle definitely has some issues, so check into getting it straightened and if not then pick up another axle. They aren't that hard to find, and you have already taken care of the hard part with the spindles and brakes...

Thank you for all the time you put in to idenify this axle. That helps alot being I know very little about these older car and trucks. My era was from the mid 50's to early 60's.
So now off the a machine shop to have it straighten.
Again thanks and God bless

 

[Ratcrazy]

The bend in that first pic is not supposed to be there.That axle may have been pulled on when it was stuck somewhere and bent it.

So true. It's off the the machine shop for straightening and then to the blast cabinet to give it a good cleaning and see if anything is worth working with.

 

[Ratcrazy]

One more question if ok, Is there any late model hubs and bearings that will fit these spindles? I have some disc brakes, cal, and hubs off a 88 ranger 2WD, just wondering if this would work on my spindles.
Thanks again.

 

[Blue Eyed Devil]

One more question if ok, Is there any late model hubs and bearings that will fit these spindles? I have some disc brakes, cal, and hubs off a 88 ranger 2WD, just wondering if this would work on my spindles.
Thanks again.

Those won't work on those spindles, and they would be ugly as all hell anyways IMO. Stick with the traditional stuff. You already have it and they look WAY better than any modern adaptation. What you have looks to be in usable shape, so take this as a learning opportunity in classic hot rod building. Do the research and keep the old parts alive - you will be rewarded in both knowledge and a sense of accomplishment. Or you could just sell them to me if you really don't want em...

 

[Ratcrazy]

LOL, I'll keep you in mind if I decide to sale....NOT!!!!!!

There's just something about that old rust that screams save me doesn't it.

Now go on a search for some wheels

 

[Ratcrazy]

Wonders if Ford tractor wheels would work on this front end? Hmmmmmmm.......