Identity Crisis..spindles

[Scott H in Wheaton]

This is an early model front axle that was welded to form a straight, non-turning axle. It was used to convert an old pickup bed into a little trailer. I am going to do the same, but I would like to change the hubs to wide-five bolt pattern.

Please help me determine what year I have, and will front hubs from wide-five fit?
Bonus question...since this doesn't have brakes, is there really any need to use the backing plates or could I just run hubs with no drums and no backing plates?






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[Fordors]

The spindles are '35-'36, and yes, the wide five stuff will work. No reason you can't remove the backing plates but I would keep the grease baffles in place.

 

[Scott H in Wheaton]

The spindles are '35-'36, and yes, the wide five stuff will work. No reason you can't remove the backing plates but I would keep the grease baffles in place.

Thank you! I suppose if I have a grease seal failure it would be nice to contain it a bit, but again, no brakes to get contaminated so the worst that could happen is sling a bit of grease on the back of the wheel.

I have a pair of wide-five drums in the garage but I forget if they are front or back. now that we are on a bit of a warming trend I can dig them out and refresh my memory.

 

[Scott H in Wheaton]

Willing to do local trade....I have two '35 front drums/hubs I would trade for two '36 front drum/hubs.

 

[Andy]

The 35 spindles look the same as 36 ones but are different. The spindle lengths are different. I don't know which is which and the actual measurements.

 

[TerryOH]

36 backing plates are shown in photo

 

[Scott H in Wheaton]

Duplicate

 

[Scott H in Wheaton]

The 35 spindles look the same as 36 ones but are different. The spindle lengths are different. I don't know which is which and the actual measurements.

If its the arm, I don't care. If it is the bearing surface, that could be a problem.

 

[Andy]

Yes, the bearing stub shaft lengths are different. I had both at one time and compared them.

 

[rich b]

Those are '36 spindles to match the previously ID of the brakes. Here's a little '35 vs '36 spindle ID info fwiw. Anyway bearing sizes are all the same, all year hubs fit.

 

[cas3]

great info rich, i'll keep that on file!

 

[Scott H in Wheaton]

Those are '36 spindles to match the previously ID of the brakes. Here's a little '35 vs '36 spindle ID info fwiw. Anyway bearing sizes are all the same, all year hubs fit.

Very nice, thanks for the detailed info!