When choosing an axle kit, consider the type and intended purpose. Kits can range from complete with bearings, springs, and mounts to bare bones. Some kits include steering components and other parts. Research thoroughly to compare prices, components, and manufacturer reputation.
When trying to choose the best axle kit for any vehicle, you need to decide the type of axle you want, as well as the axle’s intended purpose. An axle kit can be purchased in many forms, from kits complete with bearings, springs, and axle mounts to bare bones kits that feature only plain axles. Conversion axle kit components generally include all the parts needed to change an axle from one type to another. Most commonly found when changing an independent front suspension to a straight axle design, some kits will also include steering components and other related parts.
Many vehicles were swapped for the straight-axle nose-to-nose design of the eponymous race car at the height of the “gasser” wars in the American drag strips. A gaser is a car or truck built with an axle kit that places a straight axle under the front of the vehicle instead of the independent suspension the manufacturer installed. The best quality axle kit for this application often included not only the axle, hubs, and spindles for the front axle, but also springs, axle mounts, and shocks. Also, some of the best kits can be purchased with the steering box, tie rods, and brake kits included.
Many 1930s hot rods use a straight axle in the front that is similar to a period-correct front axle offered on the vehicle as it came from the manufacturer. The difference in hot rod axles is the type of axle used in the construction of the suspension. Dropped axles, made by stretching the ends of the axles to allow the vehicle to sit much lower than stock, are the hot ticket. While most factory front axles are solid forged, some of the best hot rod axle kit components use hollow tube type axles. These kits can be purchased in plain steel tubing, polished stainless steel tubing, or chrome shafts.
If you are looking for ease of installation, you should not purchase an axle kit that does not include all of these parts. However, if your definition of the best kit implies quality rather than integrity, the individual components can be assembled into a kit using only the best parts offered by several different manufacturers. This type of kit will be much more expensive than a common source axle kit from a single manufacturer. To get the best axle kit for your application, you should exhaust all methods of research by comparing prices, components, and manufacturer reputation.
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