Beam Axle Track Width

[Andrew McD]

I have a couple of Revell '32 Ford roadsters as well as the Revell '32 Ford Tudor in the stash.  Iceman collections advertises "I-Beam Drop Axle for 1932 Ford Revell Kits 1/25" in a "mild" and "wild" version.  I purchased one of each.

To my surprise the Iceman axles have a significantly wider track width as measured between kingpin centers. 

The Revell front axle for the roadster and the Tudor are identical with a scale 46" width.

The Iceman axles come in at a scale width of 52.5".  An increase in track width of 6.5" surprised me .

The track width of the Revell roadster and Tudor is very similar front to back as can be seen in the photo that includes the rear axle from the '32 Ford roadster.

In doing some brief research online I found that SoCal Speed Shop offers dropped beam axles in 47" and 48" widths.  Roadster Supply Company offers them in 46", 47", and 48" widths. 

The Iceman axles seem to have an unusually wide track width compared to the Revell models as well as offerings in the 1:1 world.

Is it common practice in the 1:1 world of street rods to have a wider track width in the front than the rear?  Obviously I've never built a real street rod but I don't recall seeing cars with the front end wider than the rear.  I can only imagine that the handling would be a bit odd.

Has anybody used the Iceman dropped front axles on either the Revell '32 Ford roadster or the '32 Ford Tudor?

Any insight and/or advice is appreciated.

Thanks,

Andrew

 

 

 

 

 

[Muncie]

You have some good research on what is available.  One of the reasons for different track widths in the hot rod world is to fit the different size tires and wheel offsets properly under the fenders.  It's about the look and function.

[rattle can man]

What is the offset of your wheels? If you don't know, wheel offset is the distance from the edge of the rim on the backside to the flat part of the wheel center that mates to the axle/ spindle. A wider axle allows your to run a deeper offset ( and thus wider wheel and tire)and still keep the wheels under the fenders or the same overall width as the rear.

[m3fan]

Another idea is Revell made the I beam axles wider in the 29 and 30 model A's and if Iceman used these to model from that would be why.

[Mark]

Are the Iceman items 1/24 scale?  That right there will add about 2" in scale.

[IceMan Collections]

Hey Andrew. Our axles were recently redesigned for a better fit.  
We’re currently away from the shop until 12/3 but if you reach out to us then, we’ll figure something out.  👍🏼 

[Straightliner59]

Yes, typically, most cars have a wider track, in front than rear. At least every one I've researched for projects seems to have been that way.

[STU111]

I recently purchased both the mild and the wild axle for my 32 ford kits and have noticed that same difference when l opened my 32 roadster and compared them  to the kit axle. I wanted to use the wild drop on the roadster. Guess I’ll see how it goes when I get to the stage where I can do a mock up and see what happens.

[Ulf]

It's a jungle, front axles are an interesting subject, my best advice to not end up where I ended up is to try different ones until it looks harmonious. See the last posts in my attached build thread, I don't want to end up there again, a glued on front axle with no shocks. I'm not completely happy with how it turned out but now it is as it is.
https://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/topic/187992-ford-34-a-street-hot-rod-who-did-not-reach-the-finish-line/

1932 Ford:
Wheelbase : 106.0 in | 2692 mm.
Front Track : 55.2 in | 1402 mm.
Rear Track : 56.7 in | 1440 mm.
ie the middle of the tires.
A dropped original axle will be a little narrower when dropped, how much depends on which method and which professional.
One factor that affects is actually the wheelbase, many rods have the front axle mounted a little further forward than original and since the frame narrows, it becomes a little more difficult to get this good in 1/25 scale.
I have seen a very promising build that is half finished where the builder chose the front axle from Monograms 32 incl hairpins and brake shields, the advantage was according to him that the shock absorbers are molded into the front axle. That build looks very right.