Tranverse spring on rearend

[oneeye]

I am hoping to fabricate a Model A spring onto a Ford Ranger rear end this weekend for the '22 Dodge roadster that I am working on. I will be mounting it to the top of the axle, I think. I am wondering in what position I want the shackles to be with no weight on the spring. I have found that information for the a front set up but not the back. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[endicott_jb]

You would either want to mount it behind the axle for clearance. With no weight on the spring, your shackles should be parallel and with full load they should be at 45 degrees or so. Just like the front end.

 

[oneeye]

Thanks for the reply. Gonna see what happens here.

 

[bob w]

You should measure the mounting distance on a stock Model A. You will find that you have to spread the spring quire a bit when installing it. In fact, there is so much tension (dangerous) that special tools are made just for that purpose.

 

[23crate]

cool...

im doing a 23 coupe, on a model a frame, surfing the net I found this pic dimensionally of an A ..

 

[oneeye]

Got it Bob. My research tells me that Ford put tension on that spring to eliminate a panhard bar. Still trying to sort out what to do there.

23crate, that is some detail!

 

[soltz]

cool...

im doing a 23 coupe, on a model a frame, surfing the net I found this pic dimensionally of an A ..

That needs to go on smallfoot's thread [cl

Could have used that working on my first set of wheels, 28A

 

[oneeye]

Thanks for the responses. I posted pics on my build thread, '22 Dodge roadster.

 

[smallfoot]

Yeah I snagged that diagram of the A-frame with intentions of putting it in the "Diagrams" thread, but I'm glad Crate entered it. I've been trying to find the drawing of a homemade device somebody posted that I also copied to file somewhere in my notes. Bob is right. Be careful on that spring pressure. there's quite some danger if it lets go under pressure.