Straight axle guys, need your help.

[rockracer]

Seems slim pickings out there.  Speedway most of thier axles are on backorder and reading about them,  people saying those are cambered in too much.  Hesitant to order something for fear I'll be in the same boat.
Rex.  Any word on that dodge axle  ?

I have plan B . A known good aligned  2wd Cherokee front axle but that will lift it some. Guess I could Mad max it but that would kill my 130 club ambition.

[Rex Schimmer]

I will take pics today and have them on the site by this evening. Sorry for the delay, to many things going on.

Rex

[Rex Schimmer]

rocracer,
I am sending two pics of the Dodge axle (it will take two replies)

The axel is 49 inches from kingpin to kingpin, that is on the top so it is probably close to 50 on the bottom because of the kingpin inclination. The springs pads are 28 inches apart and are 2-1/4 x 3-3/4 inches in size with a 1/2 inch dia spring bolt hole. Tubing is 2-1/4 inch dia and at least 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick ( it is heavy) the spindle boss (the place the kingpin goes through) is 2-3/8 long. It has a slight drop probably 1 to 1-1/2 inches. You don't get the steering arms as they are going to be adapted to my roadster axle. So it is everything you see less the steering arms. I need $125 for it.

[Rex Schimmer]

rocracer,
Another view of axle.

[rockracer]

Probably not gonna work for my application.  Thanks for the offer.

[rockracer]

Yeah that's official. Hoping I could modify it that OER axle . The spindles I have say "kingpin geometry changed for radial tires" not specified to what that actually is.  My guess is camber.  That axle is altered too by 1.5? camber.
I found a stocker that may work .

[rockracer]

Ran up to Idaho and grabbed this axle.  Came home and stripped the Huck brakes off, down to the spindles.
I found some info about the speedway spindles.  They are designed for the car (independent suspension with kingpins).
47-54 cars have 4 degrees camber and trucks have 7. This was confirmed by sid at (droppedaxles.com). Wealth of knowledge on chevy axles and parts.  Also could straighten/bend drop axles and spindle repair. 
So it looks like I'll be keeping the stock spindles and putting disc's on.  Found a kit through Western Chassis that has just the spacer and caliper brackets only.  I can swap mine over.
Oh he also told me a 4? shim is perfect for caster.  Good I have a bunch from my jeep.

[rockracer]

Removed the old axle and installed the 50 chevy axle.  Bolts right in except for hogging out the u-bolt holes slightly for 2" leafs.
Sent the spindles to Nostalgia Sid's for reaming and kingpin bushings install.
Holy cow that old axle was bent as hell.  Surprisingly drove decent like that. 
Caster on the new axle is (edit) 3.5 degrees back.  I ordered 4 degree shims.

[rockracer]

New axle is in,  4 degree shims installed.  Puts me at 8 degrees caster. 
Spindles came back.  Have driver's side installed.  Just waiting to get the bearing spacer pressed on to the spindle.  Tried the freezer and heat method but this side didn't just slip on.
Also adapted a CJ-5 swaybar to stabilze things.
Steering arms will be next.  Need to get rid of the old ball type ends.

[John Burk]

Rock do you know about the bearing problem with these Chevy spindles . The seal rides on the inner race of the inner wheel bearing and this bearing has a unique ID so it isn't possible to just slip on a Timken bearing . The Chinese replacement ball bearing or taper roller up-grade vary from poor to awful quality . Timken use to make bearings for this but haven't for a long time . The solution is a custom adapter to let a standard Timken bearing fit . I had a machinist friend make my adapters . Others do the same . Haven't seen any of these for sale . European Timken bearings are good quality like US made ones use to be and can be ordered on line if you know the ID and OD . The outer bearing has a direct Timken replacement . I'll post the bearing dimensions after I look in my notes .

[John Burk]

Rock I see that Speedway sells taper roller bearings that fits your spindles without needing adapters .
Speedway # 91631952 , "1947-1959 GM tapered roller bearing conversion". They may be Chinese but if Speedway sells them the quality can't be that bad .

[ronnieroadster]

You would be a lot better off if you posted your questions on the HAMB forum. Its Hotrod forum.  There's a lot more guys on there that have some interesting rides just like yours. So if could be done I bet someone on the HAMB will post how to do it.
Ronnieroadster

[rockracer]

Getting ready for disc's. 

[rockracer]

New races and inner bearings arrived today.  I won't be able to sleep or camp in peace this weekend until I made sure it spins.
Looks like success. I'm going fishing. 🎣