| Author | Message | ||
| jaak barnsley (Courier48)
Registered Member Username: Courier48 Post Number: 1 Registered: 10-2006 Posted From: 64.114.174.142 Rating: N/A |
I would like to upgrade the front axle on my 1948 MCI Courier , need an axle with 42" centres on leaf spring pads.Anyone out there know of an axle that might work? | ||
| Tim Hoskinson (Tdh37514151)
Registered Member Username: Tdh37514151 Post Number: 190 Registered: 9-2004 Posted From: 4.252.73.101 Rating: |
Hi Jaak the center distance is the same on the model 3751 GM buses that I collect. There are other things you should consider. The amount of drop at the arch from the king pin bore to the top of the leaf spring pad. This distance will change ride height. Another important thing to look at is the steering knuckle arm that connects from the spindle knuckle to the pitman arm. In the 3751 bus that I am working on I found that the knuckle arm is bent at a severe angle in order to allow room for the arm to pass by the leaf sping. In newer buses as well as heavy trucks this is not true. Trucks usually have spring pads centered at about 34". The later buses most had air ride and a completely different steering system. I am not saying you won't find anything out there but I looked at great many different doners for my 3751 and have found nothing easy to convert to directly. My choice was to go to a GM 4104,4106 or transit RTS front axle and change the steering system over to the axle mounted steering box. I talked this idea over with a friend who also has a 3751 and he has beat me to installing it on his bus. He says the steering is really great now and the brakes are a good bit stronger as well. If you would like to get in touch with him I will call him and have him get in touch with you. If you are interested in any information from the work I have done on my front axle feel free to e mail me or give me a call. Best of luck. Tim 740-404-0853 | ||
| jaak barnsley (Courier48)
Registered Member Username: Courier48 Post Number: 2 Registered: 10-2006 Posted From: 64.114.174.142 Rating: N/A |
Hi Tim, thanks for your input, nice to know you are not alone with some of these issues that arise with owning an older coach!After a week of chasing I think I have found a solution with an updated version of my axle out of a 1956 courier 95 which was designed for 3 more feet of length and a diesel. The fellow has both the front axle and rear diff, so I will be road tripping on Monday to take some measurements and see if they might work. If not I will definitely research the GM possibilities, thanks again for that. all else failing I will probably make up brackets to upgrade to larger air pots and re do my kingpins, as I have already installed power steering out of a Peterbilt which works fine. My focus was to get more brakes, good kingpins, and oil bath bearings along with drums that are still available, as mine aren't. The 95 axle comes with spare drums and new liners, so fingers crossed! Your busses look great, I have done a complete frame off on mine ( five years)and just got my interior completed last year,still need to do the exterior. Did the inaugral trip this summer, my wife and I love the lifestyle and are pumped to do a bunch more. Regards, J | ||
| jaak barnsley (Courier48)
Registered Member Username: Courier48 Post Number: 3 Registered: 10-2006 Posted From: 64.114.174.142 Rating: N/A |
Hi Tim, thanks for your input, nice to know you are not alone with some of these issues that arise with owning an older coach!After a week of chasing I think I have found a solution with an updated version of my axle out of a 1956 courier 95 which was designed for 3 more feet of length and a diesel. The fellow has both the front axle and rear diff, so I will be road tripping on Monday to take some measurements and see if they might work. If not I will definitely research the GM possibilities, thanks again for that. all else failing I will probably make up brackets to upgrade to larger air pots and re do my kingpins, as I have already installed power steering out of a Peterbilt which works fine. My focus was to get more brakes, good kingpins, and oil bath bearings along with drums that are still available, as mine aren't. The 95 axle comes with spare drums and new liners, so fingers crossed! Your busses look great, I have done a complete frame off on mine ( five years)and just got my interior completed last year,still need to do the exterior. Did the inaugral trip this summer, my wife and I love the lifestyle and are pumped to do a bunch more. Regards, J |
