Model A Rearend Change

old28

old28

Senior Member
Will a 1946 Ford Car Banjo rear end fit a stock model A frame?

Can the 46 spring be replaced with a T spring to lower rear of car?

Any other things to look out for in this swap?
 
you would loose wheelbase because the A spring is centered on the A banjo, the later ones the spring hangers are to the rear, and the spring hangers are wider so a longer spring is needed----perhaps it depends on how you define "fits"
 
I have done it a couple of time. in fact one was in my 1930 Model A pickup. You have to shorten the toque tube and drive shaft. Also need to make spring hangers. Then if it is a later one 39 up they have hyd brakes. It was not that bad to do, but I have every thing to do it with.
 
George Miller said:
I have done it a couple of time. in fact one was in my 1930 Model A pickup. You have to shorten the toque tube and drive shaft. Also need to make spring hangers. Then if it is a later one 39 up they have hyd brakes. It was not that bad to do, but I have every thing to do it with.
Click to expand...
George,
You're a BLESSED Man, to have GREAT EQUIPTMENT/SKILLS/KNOWLEDGE, to do what you do:)
Bill W.
 
Model A rear has the spring on top of the axle. So the center of the rear wheel well lines up with the rear crossmember.

48 rear axle has the spring behind the axle... so if you just put that under a model a, the axle would look like it's 8-10 inches too far forward.

48 axle is also like 5 or 6 inches wider for a larger bigger later car. So your wheels will stick WAY out. Looks kind of goofy.
 
1930 pickup truck 003.jpg

The rear axle is wider, in my case I used a later front axle also. I do not think it looks to bad.
 
Thanks for all the information and knowledge :)

I have a nice '46 banjo rear with hyd brakes that I want to use with a model A frame for my TROG chassis. May have to weld in new spring mounts so I can use a T spring. This frame will have a '23 T roadster body, all open wheel (no fenders) so axel placement can be moved around to look right.

Jason in TX -- are we going to have a TROG race in 2017 at Pismo ?????? CLEAR SKies !!
 
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I'm running a flathead and 1939 transmission mated to a stock Model A rear end with stock Model A torque tube and 1939 Lincoln front and rear hydraulic brakes. Works great.

15034624_1134910923224561_8897238789064228864_n.jpg
 
Charlie Stephens -- Not really a true change. I have no A rear end, only an A Frame and a '46 rear end with hyd brakes that I would like to install in the A frame.

Jayson in TX -- The main reason for the 46 rear was that I have it and it has hyd brakes. Also I thought the 46 axel might be a little stronger than the model A. I have the 32B trans with the 46 gear set & B adapter ready to bolt up to the A motor I am just starting to build.

I hope your wrong about the race, weather was crap but there still was a good group of racers and lookers. I'm sure it was a long weekend for the TROG group and the Oilers, thanks for all the work.
 
updraught --- Thanks for passing on the thread, covers a lot of my questions. Looks like the 40-48 banjo rear axel is stronger than the model a and should be a good swap for my TROG sand drag racing.
 
Sorry I must have missed your post #11 when I asked my question. With all of the details it sounds like a good idea, all you need to do is shorten the drive shaft. The rear end is going to be stronger and its extra width won't be a problem without the fenders. I think I would consider leaving the spring hangers from the '46 alone, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it".

Charlie Stephens
 
I am using a 1946-48 rear end in my Model A Speedster. I used it because I got a good
deal on a Halibrand rear section. I am also putting a Borg Warner overdrive in it so
I have to cut the Torque Tube and driveshaft anyway. I am using a Model T Spring because
the Spring hangers are closer together on the 1946 than a Model A and closer to the Model T Spring hanger width.
I built a dropped tube front axle to match the 1946 rear end width.
Using 1946 Lincoln brakes.
 
The fellas here are right. This is a restoration forum. The HAMB (owned by the same guy Ryan) is the hotrod forum. I want to be respectful to that, so this will be my last post here on this thread discussion of building the hotrod. I also own stock Model As and enjoy chatting about them as well.

The 46 rear is considered to be stronger because the pinion is supported inside the housing by a cage. On a Model A the pinion is bolted to the end of the drive shaft, and it is more possible for the pinion to flex down or up or sideways and break off. The late 32 and up supported the pinion on the back side to create more strength. (32-34 banjo centers are narrower than 35-48...)

ANYWAYS - Dave Havlir makes the spring mounts to put the Model A spring on top of that 46 rear. They are pictured in the bottom right. He also makes the rest of the stuff that is basically a copy of the Ford parts that I put in my coupe, but already cut to fit.

http://jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/av8-installation-kit-for-your-model-a.975077/

PhotoGrid_14302626555611.jpg
 
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