47-55.1 Transverse spring front end. - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

mick53 · 03-02-2019, 08:15 PM

Another crazy idea from Mick. Has anyone put or seen a transverse spring front end under an AD truck? Is this a really dumb idea? My front wheels may leave the ground and therefore must come down so strength is an issue. The reason I ask is they look super cool, no other reason. I plan on 4" drop. I'm keeping my straight axle and want to dress it up down there. Any advice or mocking is appreciated. Thank you for your time.

MARTINSR · 03-02-2019, 08:43 PM

I am lost here, are you talking about a transverse leaf like an early Ford?

Brian

Driver_WT · 03-02-2019, 09:23 PM

Or like a Corvette

mick53 · 03-02-2019, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Driver_WT

Or like a Corvette

I don't know what a Corvette looks like but I mean like you see under model t's

mick53 · 03-02-2019, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MARTINSR

I am lost here, are you talking about a transverse leaf like an early Ford?

Brian

Yes.

mick53 · 03-02-2019, 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MARTINSR

I am lost here, are you talking about a transverse leaf like an early Ford?

Brian

<img src="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcS0aF7Nb6kgWLBpWv74i1AwYKgYEnKu5qOo7368a4s1EzFAyiPPSw" alt="Image result for ford 4" drop axle"/>

I don't know if this image works.

**mr48chev** · 03-03-2019, 12:10 AM

A transverse spring front axle isn't going to add any strength over what you already have.
I'd think it would be viewed by most as more of a rat rod thing than a GASSER thing. Meaning rather dumb and cobbled together rather than actually effective. On these trucks it would be more of a "Hey look at me" thingg On a 30 something flat winshield Chevy truck that was run as a bobber truck and sat pretty low it would be to clean things up a bit an use readily available pieces. More like setting a Chevy cab on a Ford Chassis in the end though.

mick53 · 03-03-2019, 01:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr48chev

A transverse spring front axle isn't going to add any strength over what you already have.
I'd think it would be viewed by most as more of a rat rod thing than a GASSER thing. Meaning rather dumb and cobbled together rather than actually effective. On these trucks it would be more of a "Hey look at me" thingg On a 30 something flat winshield Chevy truck that was run as a bobber truck and sat pretty low it would be to clean things up a bit an use readily available pieces. More like setting a Chevy cab on a Ford Chassis in the end though.

Not interested in the rat rod thing. Probably just dress up the stock setup.

dsraven · 03-03-2019, 10:59 AM

a traverse spring wouldbe for a light vehicle,look atthe spring pack comparedto a stock spring for your truck. it is only a single spring holding up the entire front end so it would bottom a lot on bumps unless you beefed up the spring. anyway, better to stay with the stock solid axle or upgrade to an ifs system than go backwards to an older set up which would need setting up so there is no bump steer etc.

mick53 · 03-03-2019, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dsraven

a traverse spring wouldbe for a light vehicle,look atthe spring pack comparedto a stock spring for your truck. it is only a single spring holding up the entire front end so it would bottom a lot on bumps unless you beefed up the spring. anyway, better to stay with the stock solid axle or upgrade to an ifs system than go backwards to an older set up which would need setting up so there is no bump steer etc.

Thank you. This is why I come here. I used to go to another forum but I would have been ridiculed for even bringing it up.

PDW HOTRODS · 03-03-2019, 02:21 PM

Coil overs and bars would clean things up and look cool.

**mr48chev** · 03-04-2019, 12:55 AM

I just flat think you need to back up a step and do some more and more viable homework.

Coil overs and bars are NORMALLY ON THE REAR and not a front suspension. There are some coil sprung front axles but they have to have some sort of Panhard bar setup to work.

If you are just worried about strength a stock AD truck I beam is about as strong as it gets. They will bend double but not break. Been there done that when I got hit by a driver that wasn't paying attenton. If you have a proper set of parallel leaf springs you have a stronger setup than a single cross spring.

mick53 · 03-04-2019, 01:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr48chev

I just flat think you need to back up a step and do some more and more viable homework.

Coil overs and bars are NORMALLY ON THE REAR and not a front suspension. There are some coil sprung front axles but they have to have some sort of Panhard bar setup to work.

If you are just worried about strength a stock AD truck I beam is about as strong as it gets. They will bend double but not break. Been there done that when I got hit by a driver that wasn't paying attenton. If you have a proper set of parallel leaf springs you have a stronger setup than a single cross spring.

I think I'll stick with what I know works. Plenty of bling above it. Now on to the electric tilt steel front end with working hood and the scissor lift bed. Building stuff in my head is so much easier. How do we feel about chrome leaf springs?

1project2many · 03-04-2019, 07:03 PM

Many Jeep and Dodge vehicles had coil spring front ends on solid axles.

03-02-2019, 08:15 PM	#1
mick53 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: Warsaw IN Posts: 897	Transverse spring front end. Another crazy idea from Mick. Has anyone put or seen a transverse spring front end under an AD truck? Is this a really dumb idea? My front wheels may leave the ground and therefore must come down so strength is an issue. The reason I ask is they look super cool, no other reason. I plan on 4" drop. I'm keeping my straight axle and want to dress it up down there. Any advice or mocking is appreciated. Thank you for your time.

03-02-2019, 08:43 PM	#2
MARTINSR Registered User Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Boise, Idaho Posts: 6,003	Re: Transverse spring front end. I am lost here, are you talking about a transverse leaf like an early Ford? Brian __________________ 1948 Chevy pickup Chopped, Sectioned, 1953 Corvette 235 powered. Once was even 401 Buick mid engined with the carburetor right between the seats! Bought with paper route money in 1973 when I was 15. "Fan of most anything that moves human beings"

03-02-2019, 09:23 PM	#3
Driver_WT Registered User Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: River John, NS Posts: 448	Re: Transverse spring front end. Or like a Corvette __________________ 53 Chevy 3100, SBC 355, 700R4, S10 frame, Ford 8.8 rear with 4.11 gears, front disc & rear drum brakes

03-03-2019, 12:10 AM	#7
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,711	Re: Transverse spring front end. A transverse spring front axle isn't going to add any strength over what you already have. I'd think it would be viewed by most as more of a rat rod thing than a GASSER thing. Meaning rather dumb and cobbled together rather than actually effective. On these trucks it would be more of a "Hey look at me" thingg On a 30 something flat winshield Chevy truck that was run as a bobber truck and sat pretty low it would be to clean things up a bit an use readily available pieces. More like setting a Chevy cab on a Ford Chassis in the end though. __________________ Founding member of the too many projects, too little time and money club. My ongoing truck projects: 48 Chev 3100 that will run a 292 Six. 71 GMC 2500 that is getting a Cad 500 transplant. 77 C 30 dualie, 454, 4 speed with a 10 foot flatbed and hoist. It does the heavy work and hauls the projects around.

03-03-2019, 10:59 AM	#9
dsraven Registered User Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: calgary alberta Posts: 8,334	Re: Transverse spring front end. a traverse spring wouldbe for a light vehicle,look atthe spring pack comparedto a stock spring for your truck. it is only a single spring holding up the entire front end so it would bottom a lot on bumps unless you beefed up the spring. anyway, better to stay with the stock solid axle or upgrade to an ifs system than go backwards to an older set up which would need setting up so there is no bump steer etc.

03-03-2019, 02:21 PM	#11
PDW HOTRODS Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Sutherlin Oregon Posts: 502	Re: Transverse spring front end. Coil overs and bars would clean things up and look cool.

03-04-2019, 12:55 AM	#12
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,711	Re: Transverse spring front end. I just flat think you need to back up a step and do some more and more viable homework. Coil overs and bars are NORMALLY ON THE REAR and not a front suspension. There are some coil sprung front axles but they have to have some sort of Panhard bar setup to work. If you are just worried about strength a stock AD truck I beam is about as strong as it gets. They will bend double but not break. Been there done that when I got hit by a driver that wasn't paying attenton. If you have a proper set of parallel leaf springs you have a stronger setup than a single cross spring. __________________ Founding member of the too many projects, too little time and money club. My ongoing truck projects: 48 Chev 3100 that will run a 292 Six. 71 GMC 2500 that is getting a Cad 500 transplant. 77 C 30 dualie, 454, 4 speed with a 10 foot flatbed and hoist. It does the heavy work and hauls the projects around.

03-04-2019, 07:03 PM	#14
1project2many Registered User Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Lakes Region NH Posts: 3,200	Re: Transverse spring front end. Many Jeep and Dodge vehicles had coil spring front ends on solid axles.



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