BUSY BOLTERS Are you one? The Shop Area
continues to pull in the most views on the Stovebolt. In August alone there were over 22,000 views in those 13 forums.
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| | Forums66 Topics126,777 Posts1,039,282 Members48,100 | Most Online2,175 Jul 21st, 2025 | | | Joined: Feb 2007 Posts: 46 Wrench Fetcher | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Feb 2007 Posts: 46 | How many of you guys use a straight axle and hows the ride and what updates have you made. Trying to decide between mustang 2 and a dropped axle. | | | | Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 Cruising in the Passing Lane | Cruising in the Passing Lane Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 | I'd say most of the folks with daily drivers here use the stock axle, not dropped, but there are some who've clipped with something ... if you want low, do whichever you can afford, the dropped axle will still drive like an old truck, the clip will feel more like a car  Bill | | | | Joined: May 2006 Posts: 8,351 'Bolter | 'Bolter Joined: May 2006 Posts: 8,351 | Mine's still straight axle, it rides about as can be expected. Mine does have the HD suspension option (3/4 ton springs) though.
Bill Burmeister | | | | Joined: Jun 2008 Posts: 1,388 Shop Shark | Shop Shark Joined: Jun 2008 Posts: 1,388 | I am also stock, but 1950 1-ton. It rides like a wheelbarrow. I'm not sure those front springs have ever flexed. Hahaha. Thats what the big springs in the seat are for. It rides like a truck! | | | | Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 1,060 'Bolter | 'Bolter Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 1,060 | I still have my straight axle, too. I rebuilt the whole thing last spring.
1946 1-ton Panel 1952 1-ton Comml. W/Grain Body | | | | Joined: Nov 2001 Posts: 1,516 'Bolter | 'Bolter Joined: Nov 2001 Posts: 1,516 | Iv got a 4" drop axle on my panel, and a 3" drop on my suburban. | | | | Joined: Nov 2004 Posts: 2,317 Former Workshop Owner | Former Workshop Owner Joined: Nov 2004 Posts: 2,317 | Neither of mine can be listed as drivers yet, but I plan on leaving the original axles under both my '41 and '59 half tons. I am hoping to have the '59 on the road in a couple months.
John | | | | Joined: Jan 2007 Posts: 446 Shop Shark | Shop Shark Joined: Jan 2007 Posts: 446 | Both my '60 and '65 have IFS stock. But My old work truck is a '64 Ferd 3/4 ton with a straight axle which I will leave alone. It drive's like a tank but I only use it for hauling wood or whatever. I wouldn't use it as a daily driver though.
Iron Clad | | | | Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 14,522 Moderator: Welcome Centre, Southern Bolters, Legion Hall | Moderator: Welcome Centre, Southern Bolters, Legion Hall Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 14,522 | The panel has the straight axle under it and I plan to use it. The previous owner checked/replace the leafs and arch and also put new polyliners in between them. It also came with the sway bar so WHEN I do get it on the road I'm hoping it will work pretty nice. | | | | Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 394 'Bolter | 'Bolter Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 394 | Yes I use that ol straight axle myself in my 55 Cameo, wished though one of you guys would give me a part number on them there front spindle bushings. | | | | Joined: May 2006 Posts: 8,351 'Bolter | 'Bolter Joined: May 2006 Posts: 8,351 | "Spindle bushings"? Are you meaning the kingpin bushings? If so, the Moog number is 8444B. I beleive that kit does both sides.
Bill Burmeister | | | | Joined: May 2007 Posts: 2 New Guy | New Guy Joined: May 2007 Posts: 2 | Using the old straight axe on my '47 Chevy rat, I think I gives the truck a great period correct ride, it takes u back to simpler times. That's the way I remember riding in it as a kid, ofcourse it was all original then. But if ur gonna have a truck, I say let it ride like one. | | | | Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 239 Wrench Fetcher | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 239 | Mine still has the straight axle under it, it rides like a truck. Modern trucks ride like cars. I get bounced around a bit, but I expect that. I also hauled home a load of wet dirt last weekend, approximately 3000 pounds. I still had 1/2 my travel left in the rear suspension.
Devin
If you can't hose it out it ain't a truck
55 3100 63 Corvair Monza 64 El Camino 72 240Z 01 Suburban
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