'32 coupe in Rodder's Journal...

[PeteVS]

Just looking thru Rodder's Journal #49. There's a red '32 coupe with a blown Ardun, '39 trans, banjo quick change. Frame is unboxed with '32 K member and it appears to have "period" rear radius rods. Question is, "What's with the open driveshaft? And, how would those rear radius rods be mounted?" Thanks for any explanation here...

 

[deuce lover]

Hot Rod Works in Boise, Idaho(www.hotrodworks.com) sells a kit so you can split those radius rods.

 

[-Big Al-]

this might help.
Al.http://www.roybriziostreetrods.com/progress/mariani_5/index.htm

 

[Frank The Plumber]

That's a very tidy rod.

 

[PeteVS]

this might help.
Al.http://www.roybriziostreetrods.com/progress/mariani_5/index.htm

Interesting. I see that they used the back end of a "later" wishbone to tie the rear radius rods together and a ball joint just like the front wishbone, but that doesn't answer my wonderment of why a torque tube wasn't used. Maybe they're leaving wiggle room for future use of a 5 speed or auto?

 

[rotorwrench]

My guess would be for an overdrive transmission. I sure wouldn't go to all the trouble and not use a T5 or an old Borg Warner electric.

Kerby

 

[Tim Ayers]

I'd get in touch with Neil CA for he is running an open banjo with a T-5 trans in his '32 RPU.

In that configuration, there must be something else than just "stock" (IE: reinforced internally, made out of bar stock, etc.) radius rods for a blown Ardun would bend "stock" ones without question.

 

[X38]

I for one would have installed some kind of torque arm. Those 35/6 radius rods are fairly heavy wall, but they DO bend under load. Been documented enough times.

 

[Bruce Lancaster]

I too wonder...if engine and trans are early Ford, why not use the torque tube?? Best possible suspension control with no binding or strength problems. There are often reasons to go to stronger trans or rear, requiring new and generally lesser methods of controlling the suspension, but if both ends are Ford, why do elaborate fabriction to create a wisbone and come close to original geometey?

 

[Tim Ayers]

They may have used an open drive Ford p/u box. Why, not sure. I agree with Bruce.

I'd like to know why they went this route for a torque tube sould have saved a lot of fabrication

 

[NealinCA]

I agree with Bruce and Tim. I used open drive because I went to a T-5. I don't understand early Ford rear, early Ford trans...then open drive. I think some modern builders are scared of the unknown torque tube...

 

[Frank The Plumber]

Psycosis, metalurgical psycosis. like stroking a water melon on a hot summer day, it's crazy but you can't stop cause your mind just is happy. Only a fellow water melon stroker would be able to understand the why of it. Now if you start licking the water melon, well that's just wrong.