Wheel base question
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Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 6,682
Likes: 12
From: Saskatoon SK Canada
Wheel base question
I found that one of my M-3 leaf packs are cracked. I'm now gonna use the rear leafs of the F-1. My wheelbase will be 0-1" off will this matter a whole lot? The best $50 I'm ever spent was for that parts truck. I'm using the rear end, leaf springs, front brakes and other little things.
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 8,813
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From: Littleton, New Hampshire
Wheel base question
Nathan,
Since the M-3 rear springs are 2 1/4 inches wide, I think you will also have to change the spring hangers and shackles to use the F-1 springs as they are 2 inches wide. It might be easier to get a replacement leaf for the M-3 spring. I don't think less than a one inch change in the wheelbase will be noticeable, but if you have to replace the hangers, is redrilling the hanger mounting holes a possibility to get the original wheelbase back?
Since the M-3 rear springs are 2 1/4 inches wide, I think you will also have to change the spring hangers and shackles to use the F-1 springs as they are 2 inches wide. It might be easier to get a replacement leaf for the M-3 spring. I don't think less than a one inch change in the wheelbase will be noticeable, but if you have to replace the hangers, is redrilling the hanger mounting holes a possibility to get the original wheelbase back?
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 8,813
Likes: 13
From: Littleton, New Hampshire
Wheel base question
Nathan,
Another thought...if you are changing the hangers anyway, I've heard that you can mount them higher up on the frame which will result in lowering the truck more...if you're interested. I may be doing something similar when I get around to re-doing my rear springs. There are 13 leaves, so I plan to remove at least half of them. If I run into any cracked leaves like you did, I may opt for F-1 springs also. I will also be looking into the possibility of using the rear springs from my 87 5th Avenue donor car, but I do not know yet if that will work.
Another thought...if you are changing the hangers anyway, I've heard that you can mount them higher up on the frame which will result in lowering the truck more...if you're interested. I may be doing something similar when I get around to re-doing my rear springs. There are 13 leaves, so I plan to remove at least half of them. If I run into any cracked leaves like you did, I may opt for F-1 springs also. I will also be looking into the possibility of using the rear springs from my 87 5th Avenue donor car, but I do not know yet if that will work.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 6,682
Likes: 12
From: Saskatoon SK Canada
Wheel base question
I'm also using the F-1 springs in the front. If I mount them higher wouldn't that put the rear end lower than the front? The F-1 springs also lower it 2". I think I'm now gonna use F-1 wheels which will also lower it.
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 8,813
Likes: 13
From: Littleton, New Hampshire
Wheel base question
Nathan,
The rear is always higher than the front anyway in stock trucks. I don't think moving the hangers up would in itself lower the rear so much that it would be lower than the front. At the worst it might become more level front to rear. I think the use of F-1 wheels and springs will do more to lower the rear than moving up the hangers.
The rear is always higher than the front anyway in stock trucks. I don't think moving the hangers up would in itself lower the rear so much that it would be lower than the front. At the worst it might become more level front to rear. I think the use of F-1 wheels and springs will do more to lower the rear than moving up the hangers.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 6,682
Likes: 12
From: Saskatoon SK Canada
Wheel base question
I could raise the front hanger but couldn't lower rear because it is almost already at the top of the rail.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 8,813
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From: Littleton, New Hampshire
Wheel base question
Right. You can only raise the hangers...nothing much you can do about the shackles.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 6,328
Likes: 124
From: Iowa
Wheel base question
Nathan
I don't know what's involved, but get the WB correct if you can. If you move the axle only one inch in either direction, the difference in clearance from one side of the wheel to the other becomes two inches and will be pretty noticeable.
Hope I didn't blow you away with that fancy math.
I don't know what's involved, but get the WB correct if you can. If you move the axle only one inch in either direction, the difference in clearance from one side of the wheel to the other becomes two inches and will be pretty noticeable.
Hope I didn't blow you away with that fancy math.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 6,682
Likes: 12
From: Saskatoon SK Canada
Wheel base question
I don't think it would be that noticeable because it's gonna be a smaller tire in the wheel well. I can craw into the fender area they are big. I'm also raising the floor of the box and could also move the fenders a little.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 6,328
Likes: 124
From: Iowa
Wheel base question
Nathan
If you can't you can't. But I would center them up if possible. Two inches will be more noticeable than you think. Completely filling up the wheel well with tire actually does a much better job of hiding than a smaller tire does.
If you can't you can't. But I would center them up if possible. Two inches will be more noticeable than you think. Completely filling up the wheel well with tire actually does a much better job of hiding than a smaller tire does.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 6,328
Likes: 124
From: Iowa
Wheel base question
Originally posted by 51dueller
I will try my best! Sir yes Sir. I didn't ask for try I meant do! Sir yes Sir!
I will do my best.
I will try my best! Sir yes Sir. I didn't ask for try I meant do! Sir yes Sir!
I will do my best.