Live axles
paul v6 - 21/9/05 at 05:24 PM
Hi Guys,
Apart from the obvious Escort, Capri, Cortina Live axles, what other cars provide decent back ends usable for a Locost???
Paul
rusty nuts - 21/9/05 at 05:55 PM
Believe some people have used Mazda MX5 donors , may be worth a search? possibly old Opel Manta / Vauxhall Cavalier RWD , Toyota Lite Ace etc may be
suitable
MikeRJ - 21/9/05 at 05:58 PM
MX5 is not live axle.
I have heard of Vauhxall Viva/Chevette and Morris Marina/Sprite axles being used.
Volvorsport - 21/9/05 at 06:06 PM
volvo!
240 is narrower for the std chassis
740 is ahem wiiddddddddddeeeee
they have LSD options , and CWP options also.
they also come with electronic speedo drive
Mr G - 21/9/05 at 06:52 PM
Morris
britishtrident - 21/9/05 at 06:55 PM
Hillman Hunter and other Rootes Arrow range cars
Hillman Avenger/Chrysler Sunbeam
Triumph Dollomite/Morris Marina (same Triumph axle more or less)
MGB MGC
Morris Minor Morris Oxford
Fiat 131, 125, Polski Fiat
Alfa Spyder and other early 70s (ie pre-de dion) Alfas.
Victor FD
Victor Fe
Datsun 180B
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The Midget/Sprite/Austin A40 axle is a tinge too narrow -- although it has been used in the past.
Using the Chevette/Kadet and RWD Cavalier/Ascona/Manta axles would also be very difficult.
[Edited on 21/9/05 by britishtrident]
Memphis Twin - 21/9/05 at 07:19 PM
Just bought an Alfa Bertone GT Junior axle for £15. It's roughly the same width as an Escort has a beautful alloy differential casing with a
finned sump (for cooling the diff oil) and has disc brakes. This axle was used in several Alfas including 2litre models, and is very strong. Downside
is that the highest standard ratio is 4.1 to 1, but I believe aftermarket ones are available which are higher ratio.
Anyway, for £15 it was woth looking at, and I can always re-sell it if I don't end up using it!
Cheers
britishtrident - 21/9/05 at 08:56 PM
A pity it wasn't out a 2 litre Alfa they had LSDs -- First time I drove one I thought nice car shame about the driving position and the rust.
locost_bryan - 21/9/05 at 11:30 PM
quote:
Using the Chevette/Kadet and RWD Cavalier/Ascona/Manta axles would also be very difficult.
The Chevette is a torque tube, so a problem, but the Opel-based Holden Commodore was a 5-link, so the Opel/Vauxhall Rekord/Commodore should be ok
(possibly a bit wide?)
Chevette-based Isuzu Piazza Turbo 87-89 has 5-link rear, LSD and disc brakes 
89+ Suzuki Carry van has 1290mm rear track - same as Escort.
80's Hyundai Pony and Stellar (Cortina clone)
Jap vans suit +4 (1400-1450mm)
niceperson709 - 22/9/05 at 01:56 AM
I'm using Lite ace in a +2" chassis but with FWD ofsett wheels can be used in a std chassis (PCD 4x 114.3)
NS Dev - 22/9/05 at 07:58 AM
quote:
Originally posted by locost_bryan
quote:
Using the Chevette/Kadet and RWD Cavalier/Ascona/Manta axles would also be very difficult.
The Chevette is a torque tube, so a problem, but the Opel-based Holden Commodore was a 5-link, so the Opel/Vauxhall Rekord/Commodore should be ok
(possibly a bit wide?)
Chevette-based Isuzu Piazza Turbo 87-89 has 5-link rear, LSD and disc brakes
89+ Suzuki Carry van has 1290mm rear track - same as Escort.
80's Hyundai Pony and Stellar (Cortina clone)
Jap vans suit +4 (1400-1450mm)
was going to add just that, Manta axles are similar to the chevette, a torque tube arrangement.
The Rekord/Commodore axle is 5 link as you say though, and is a common swap on mantas used for rallying where they tend to snap torque tubes.
The Manta 400 used the Rekord/Commodore setup, but that's not really a viable donor
MikeR - 22/9/05 at 12:15 PM
lada .....
don't laugh, they are supopsed to be as strong as a strong thing eating extra strong mints (within reason).
NS Dev - 23/9/05 at 07:57 AM
yep, Lada one is a good choice, reasonably light, decent ratios.
Only trouble is Rivas aren't nearly as common as they were a few years ago, all gone back to Russia for spares now!
britishtrident - 23/9/05 at 08:00 PM
quote:
Originally posted by NS Dev
yep, Lada one is a good choice, reasonably light, decent ratios.
Only trouble is Rivas aren't nearly as common as they were a few years ago, all gone back to Russia for spares now!
I saw one he other day :-) --- funny how they could make the Fiat 124 which was fun to drive into a heap of ---- Having said that Lada quality
was much better than the Polski-Fiat 125.
stevebubs - 24/9/05 at 12:59 AM
What about an axle from a black cab? Was following an M-reg cab out of Reading this evening and noticed the leafspring suspension....
gazza285 - 24/9/05 at 06:07 AM
What, the old Austin Westminster axle? A little on the heavy side I fear.