Beating dead horses - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

ah_5500 · 12-10-2012, 09:49 PM

I might be doing just that, but I was thinking, is it possible to flip the front axle on a 48? I'm thinking the axle may get into the oil pan possibly? I'm just getting into messing with this era of truck so I'm a little clueless. Thanks for up any info!
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**mr48chev** · 12-10-2012, 10:15 PM

I'd first jack the truck up and put it on stands under the axle and start measuring. The only truck I've knowingly been around that the axle was flipped on was my buddy Phil Lovejoy's old Ford F-1 Houndog that sat as low as my 48 did with the Camaro stub.

See how much room you have from the top of the spring to the frame and then figure out if you will have enough room under the pan. From looking at the photos of mine it looks like you might have enough clearance to do it. It will be very low though.

ah_5500 · 12-10-2012, 10:21 PM

That is in my list of steps. I am hoping someone will chime in with a more personal experience. Thanks for the input!
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**mr48chev** · 12-10-2012, 10:27 PM

You should be able to use the bump stops that are already there to prevent the axle from going up far enough to hit the pan if there is room for them to fit between the axle and frame even if you have to cut the rubber down some.

ah_5500 · 12-10-2012, 10:33 PM

What's your opinion on the steering. It seems like it might be a problem but I'm a little clueless on solid front axle trucks.
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mknittle · 12-11-2012, 11:01 AM

I have an Idea but I will have to look at one of our teucks to see if it will work.

ah_5500 · 12-11-2012, 12:46 PM

sounds interesting! is this a steering idea or a flipping the axle idea?

ah_5500 · 12-15-2012, 12:54 AM

Any new news with the idea?
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craig32 · 12-15-2012, 04:04 PM

I'm confused as to what you mean by 'flipping' the front axle.

NEWFISHER · 12-15-2012, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by craig32

I'm confused as to what you mean by 'flipping' the front axle.

He wants to put the axle on top of the leaf pack. In stock form it rests under the leaves. When you "flip" its configuration to rest on top of the you lower the ride hieght and keep the stock suspension. Similar to flipping the rear axle on those with the axle under the leaves. Like a 4x whenyou add a block it would raise the tire to fender clearence. When you flip the axle to rest on top of the springs, you add a block between the leaf pack and the axle and you reduce the fender to tire clearence.
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craig32 · 12-16-2012, 05:58 AM

When I changed axles on my truck, the stock axle I put in had blocks on top of the springs. Apparently they WERE between the axle and springs, but someone took them out and put them on top to use the same U-bolts. Every time I hit even the slightest bump they would 'clank' off of the frame. I soon realized they didn't belong there and took them out and bought shorter U-bolts.
SO, I don't know it the axle would hit the oil pan or not, but you will have almost zero travel in your springs and a God-awful noise every time you hit a bump.

12-10-2012, 09:49 PM	#1
ah_5500 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: knoxville, tn Posts: 155	Beating dead horses I might be doing just that, but I was thinking, is it possible to flip the front axle on a 48? I'm thinking the axle may get into the oil pan possibly? I'm just getting into messing with this era of truck so I'm a little clueless. Thanks for up any info! Posted via Mobile Device

12-10-2012, 10:15 PM	#2
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,705	Re: Beating dead horses I'd first jack the truck up and put it on stands under the axle and start measuring. The only truck I've knowingly been around that the axle was flipped on was my buddy Phil Lovejoy's old Ford F-1 Houndog that sat as low as my 48 did with the Camaro stub. See how much room you have from the top of the spring to the frame and then figure out if you will have enough room under the pan. From looking at the photos of mine it looks like you might have enough clearance to do it. It will be very low though. __________________ Founding member of the too many projects, too little time and money club. My ongoing truck projects: 48 Chev 3100 that will run a 292 Six. 71 GMC 2500 that is getting a Cad 500 transplant. 77 C 30 dualie, 454, 4 speed with a 10 foot flatbed and hoist. It does the heavy work and hauls the projects around.

12-10-2012, 10:21 PM	#3
ah_5500 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: knoxville, tn Posts: 155	Re: Beating dead horses That is in my list of steps. I am hoping someone will chime in with a more personal experience. Thanks for the input! Posted via Mobile Device

12-10-2012, 10:27 PM	#4
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,705	Re: Beating dead horses You should be able to use the bump stops that are already there to prevent the axle from going up far enough to hit the pan if there is room for them to fit between the axle and frame even if you have to cut the rubber down some. __________________ Founding member of the too many projects, too little time and money club. My ongoing truck projects: 48 Chev 3100 that will run a 292 Six. 71 GMC 2500 that is getting a Cad 500 transplant. 77 C 30 dualie, 454, 4 speed with a 10 foot flatbed and hoist. It does the heavy work and hauls the projects around.

12-10-2012, 10:33 PM	#5
ah_5500 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: knoxville, tn Posts: 155	Re: Beating dead horses What's your opinion on the steering. It seems like it might be a problem but I'm a little clueless on solid front axle trucks. Posted via Mobile Device

12-11-2012, 11:01 AM	#6
mknittle Registered User Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Auburn ca. Posts: 2,886	Re: Beating dead horses I have an Idea but I will have to look at one of our teucks to see if it will work. __________________ Mark My GMC build. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=536602

12-11-2012, 12:46 PM	#7
ah_5500 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: knoxville, tn Posts: 155	Re: Beating dead horses sounds interesting! is this a steering idea or a flipping the axle idea?

12-15-2012, 12:54 AM	#8
ah_5500 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: knoxville, tn Posts: 155	Re: Beating dead horses Any new news with the idea? Posted via Mobile Device

12-15-2012, 04:04 PM	#9
craig32 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: PA Posts: 56	Re: Beating dead horses I'm confused as to what you mean by 'flipping' the front axle.

12-16-2012, 05:58 AM	#11
craig32 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: PA Posts: 56	Re: Beating dead horses When I changed axles on my truck, the stock axle I put in had blocks on top of the springs. Apparently they WERE between the axle and springs, but someone took them out and put them on top to use the same U-bolts. Every time I hit even the slightest bump they would 'clank' off of the frame. I soon realized they didn't belong there and took them out and bought shorter U-bolts. SO, I don't know it the axle would hit the oil pan or not, but you will have almost zero travel in your springs and a God-awful noise every time you hit a bump.



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