Yard Art
Posts: 89
Joined: Mon Feb 02, 2015 2:26 pm
Location: Eastern PA/Central NJ area
D2 Build Photos JT - axles and rims
Fellas,
Here's a few more shots of the progress. Did I mention that I'm swapping out the axles for more modern 1950 Ford pickup axles? Not only are they a close fit but parts are readily available...even disc brake kits if I want to go that route! IHC parts of any kind are impossible to find on the East Coast and the original axles are locked up so it made my decision easy. Found a rear axle for $30 I swapped out last year and I just bought this front axle for $25. Having a chassis with 3 locked up wheels is no fun moving around let me tell you! If anyone is going to try this swap I'll give you some advice...buy some really good drill bits! I broke or burned up at least 5 bits when I was drilling the 8 holes through the flange on the Ford axle. It is 1/2" thick and you need eight 1/2" holes for the square U-bolts. The Ford spring flange just barely fits the inner most bolt holes (I did blow out about 15% of the hole during the final pass with the 1/2" bit. But there is plenty of metal with a cut washer to hold it. Another plus is the Ford axle has mounts for tube shocks so you just have to make a fitting for the top end. I'll be selling the original axles if anyone wants them...cheap! PM me, they are in New Hope, PA come and get them! See last photos. Prepping the rims my friend gave me with old school home-made white walls after painting the rims for my color scheme.
Here's a few more shots of the progress. Did I mention that I'm swapping out the axles for more modern 1950 Ford pickup axles? Not only are they a close fit but parts are readily available...even disc brake kits if I want to go that route! IHC parts of any kind are impossible to find on the East Coast and the original axles are locked up so it made my decision easy. Found a rear axle for $30 I swapped out last year and I just bought this front axle for $25. Having a chassis with 3 locked up wheels is no fun moving around let me tell you! If anyone is going to try this swap I'll give you some advice...buy some really good drill bits! I broke or burned up at least 5 bits when I was drilling the 8 holes through the flange on the Ford axle. It is 1/2" thick and you need eight 1/2" holes for the square U-bolts. The Ford spring flange just barely fits the inner most bolt holes (I did blow out about 15% of the hole during the final pass with the 1/2" bit. But there is plenty of metal with a cut washer to hold it. Another plus is the Ford axle has mounts for tube shocks so you just have to make a fitting for the top end. I'll be selling the original axles if anyone wants them...cheap! PM me, they are in New Hope, PA come and get them! See last photos. Prepping the rims my friend gave me with old school home-made white walls after painting the rims for my color scheme.