Lowered front ends?

[Roadrunner]

I'm currently planning my next car model, a Revell '32 Ford sedan. I've downloaded quite a few photos, and fairly frequently the front end seems lowered. Is this actually a lowered front end, a raised rear end, larger tires on the rear, or a combination of the three?

Thanks a bunch,

[Straightliner59]

The most common practice on old Fords is to use a "dropped" axle. That means that the center section is placed lower in relation to the spindle, like so:

As opposed to stock type:

That's going to be the simplest method.

[Roadrunner]

1 hour ago, Straightliner59 said:

The most common practice on old Fords is to use a "dropped" axle. That means that the center section is placed lower in relation to the spindle, like so:

 

As opposed to stock type:

 

That's going to be the simplest method.

I also rather like the completely flat look (both rear and front tires/wheels the same diameter, but if I decide to go the other route, dropping the front end should be a snap. Thanks a bunch, I really do appreciate the input.

[milo1303s]

Pretty sure most the Revell 32 ford kits are lowered front ends out of box !!

[Force]

11 hours ago, Roadrunner said:

I'm currently planning my next car model, a Revell '32 Ford sedan. I've downloaded quite a few photos, and fairly frequently the front end seems lowered. Is this actually a lowered front end, a raised rear end, larger tires on the rear, or a combination of the three?

Thanks a bunch,

When you are going to lower or rise a model car, look at how its done in the real world and try to do it the same way on the model, if it works on a real car it will work on a model.
Dropped axles, dropped spindles, cut down coil springs, blocks between the axle and leaf springs, and the other way around if you want the car raised

6 hours ago, milo1303s said:

Pretty sure most the Revell 32 ford kits are lowered front ends out of box !!

Yes, it's a tube axle tho'.
Most of the old school rods use I-beam axles.

[Roadrunner]

7 hours ago, Force said:

When you are going to lower or rise a model car, look at how its done in the real world and try to do it the same way on the model, if it works on a real car it will work on a model.
Dropped axles, dropped spindles, cut down coil springs, blocks between the axle and leaf springs, and the other way around if you want the car raised

That was exactly my problem, I have no idea how this was done on the real cars, though I do now have a somewhat better understanding.

[Straightliner59]

The Revell/Monogram '29 Model A Pickup 3 in 1 kit (Rat Rod is one version. There have been many re-boxings, over the years) has a beautiful Bell dropped beam axle. I have bought a ton of those kits, just because that axle is in them. The kit is loaded with beautiful parts!

[Fat Brian]

If you want to go really low there's the "suicide perch" where you move the spring perch in front of the radiator. This also lengthens the wheel base.

[Straightliner59]

17 minutes ago, Fat Brian said:

If you want to go really low there's the "suicide perch" where you move the spring perch in front of the radiator.

I didn't know there was any other way!?

[Mr. Metallic]

A quick and easy way to get the front axle from the Revell 32 kit a little bit lower is a tip that @tim boyd has been sharing with us since the kit came out new in 96 is to trim the tabs on the top of the axle to allow it to settle into the frame a little deeper.  I can come up with some pics if you need me to.

[Roadrunner]

4 hours ago, Mr. Metallic said:

A quick and easy way to get the front axle from the Revell 32 kit a little bit lower is a tip that @tim boyd has been sharing with us since the kit came out new in 96 is to trim the tabs on the top of the axle to allow it to settle into the frame a little deeper.  I can come up with some pics if you need me to.

Yes, that would be great. Thanks.

[Force]

On 9/25/2023 at 2:23 AM, Roadrunner said:

That was exactly my problem, I have no idea how this was done on the real cars, though I do now have a somewhat better understanding.

Well it's not that easy then.
I have read many car magazines and have tinkered with cars and model cars all my life so it's like second nature to me.
But internet is your friend, if you search you will find as there are many sites on there where you can find information and pictures of how it's done..

[Ace-Garageguy]

For what it's worth, the earliest good-quality "dropped" I-beam axles were made by re-forging of the ends of stock axles, into an S-curve configuration where the axle centerlines were raised relative to their original positions, thus lowering the car. Obviously, the process would slightly narrow the axle as well.

The re-forging approach was popularized in San Diego, and early dropped axles were referred to originally as "diegoed" which was shortened to "dagoed"...and there's nothing ethnically disrespectful about the term.

https://kustomrama.com/wiki/The_Dago_Axle

https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/bob-lil-axle-stewart-and-the-dago-axle.680666/

 

Edited September 26, 2023 by Ace-Garageguy