I'm really pumped... I heard from Cen-Pen!!!

My52Chebby · June 24, 2005, 05:10:32 PM

Hi gang,

I've been waiting for about 4 months for a brand new, modern design, 3" dropped axle for my '52 Chevy pickup. Last week I sent Cen-Pen another email and the OWNER got back to me this time. He told me he has a dealer order to fill and promised me I was next and should get my axle this month (email was dated the 15th) so I'm even closer to getting it.

I can hardly wait...

My52Chebby

jaybee · June 24, 2005, 08:21:30 PM

Sounds great. He used to hang out around here. Seems like a pretty decent guy.

kb426 · June 24, 2005, 10:12:38 PM

What is a "modern design" axle for that series chevy?

My52Chebby · June 24, 2005, 11:47:54 PM

... with flame (or plasma) cut spring pads that are computer controlled bent to the proper shape to fit the axle.

Go to this link to see them : http://www.cenpen.com/truckaxles.htm

I have to restrain myself because I drool all over my keyboard every time I look at that picture... LOL

My52Chebby

Phat · June 25, 2005, 07:05:27 PM

You want one? 3 inches is way too much as you will be draging the axle. Hope your a good fab guy because it aint a bolt in. I got more drop by changing perches and sectioning my frame.(6 hours worth of work)
I ran there dropped axle for 2 weeks and ripped it out. Camber was wrong on one side by 1 degree(poor welding). Not worth it if you know how to do it. Try to get him to leave the pearches off as it had like no caster and needed a pile of wedges.(you could set the caster and weld it yourself)
Wait till you see were you tie rod ends up after you get done bending your steering arms.
I guess most of that stuff on that other site is for the cool factor but i think i like to drive what i build.
Good luck Your going to need it.
Oh i also had to have the king pins oversized as they were loose as hell.
No diff than mor-drop except it cost more and was worse.
I will have to say they seemed like nice guys but the product just was not there.

Phat · June 25, 2005, 07:08:26 PM

Quote from: "Phat"You want one? 3 inches is way too much as you will be draging the axle. Hope your a good fab guy because it aint a bolt in. I got more drop by changing perches and sectioning my frame.(6 hours worth of work)
I ran there dropped axle for 2 weeks and ripped it out. Camber was wrong on one side by 1 degree(poor welding). Not worth it if you know how to do it. Try to get him to leave the pearches off as it had like no caster and needed a pile of wedges.(you could set the caster and weld it yourself)
Wait till you see were you tie rod ends up after you get done bending your steering arms.
I guess most of that stuff on that other site is for the cool factor but i think i like to drive what i build.
Good luck Your going to need it.
Oh i also had to have the king pins oversized as they were loose as hell.
No diff than mor-drop except it cost more and was worse.
I will have to say they seemed like nice guys but the product just was not there.

Oh and mine was 299. i know steel went up but 200 more?

??
500 hundred plus half what a IFS is plus all the bS work to get it right.

My52Chebby · June 25, 2005, 07:58:27 PM

The first time I ever saw Classic Performance Products advertize that axle in a magazine was the June 2004 issue of Classic Trucks.

A while back, I got a set of brand new set of king pins and as it turns out, they were 10 thou oversize. I never sent them back, maybe something told me to hang on to them for the same reason you quoted in your post...

Yes, I'm pretty good at fabricating and I have a fully equiped shop. I'll certainly keep your cautionary notes in mind when I first check out the axle on arrival. I hope that Cen-Pen now welds their axles in jigs to assure quality assurance.

I'll get back to the board when the axle arrives...

Thanks for posting your comments.

My52Chebby

Phat · June 25, 2005, 09:17:48 PM

I got it direct in 2003..... with a middle man i can see why the price is higher.
I am sure its jig welded but i cut the perches off to put 8 degrees of caster in it becaue i think it had 0.
I just did not want a stack of wedges under the spring. i dont run a lot of rake in the chassis either so i am sure if you run the nose a lot lower than the rear the problem will be worse. thats why i say tell them to leave the perches loose. that way you can set the castor and weld them on for your likes. i like about 6-8 degrees on these ADs and a short pitman arm.(about 2-3 inches shorter ) they drive well like that. done a bunch of them.

kb426 · June 27, 2005, 10:08:26 PM

I sent mine to Mordrop. It's 3" also. I have about 2.5" of clearance under the axle with short 15" tires. I went to the front end shop the other day to set the toe-in. They checked the caster and camber and it was real close. That may have been an accident. I really wanted a 2" but he had a 3 in stock for exchange. When he described how long it could be to get a 2, the 3 started to look real good. I did end up putting the SSB king pin kit in. I'm real pleased with that mod.