front wheel location
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 1,589
Likes: 483
From: Kemptville, ON,
front wheel location
Can someone tell me what the dimensions should be for front wheel placement. The challenge is there seems to be 1" difference at the bottom of my front fenders from one side to the other. 34 1/2" on one side and 33 1/2" on the other. Could be that one is bent. Not sure whether to measure at the centre of the wheel or the bottom of the fender well opening. Right now my shop is very tight for space and I cannot stand back and just look at it. Rolling it outside might be possible but could be a challenge as well and my wheels are 1/2" plywood only. The motor is in so it is a little heavy.
Thanks
Marten
Thanks
Marten
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 1,589
Likes: 483
From: Kemptville, ON,
I have a '53 pick up. What I am trying to do is see if my front wheels are centered in the fender opening. I know that the original wheels are set back a bit to far. The previous owner installed a new cross member from Flat Out Engineering but at this point I am not sure it is in correctly front to back.
Plywood wheels, I made a set of wheels out of plywood to allow me to move the frame around. It saves me buying wheels and tires right now as it will be a couple of years before this truck is on the road. the wheels are cut to the same size as the final diameter of the tires. Picture gives you an idea of what I did. Truck is farther along then that now.
Plywood wheels, I made a set of wheels out of plywood to allow me to move the frame around. It saves me buying wheels and tires right now as it will be a couple of years before this truck is on the road. the wheels are cut to the same size as the final diameter of the tires. Picture gives you an idea of what I did. Truck is farther along then that now.
Tuned
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 381
Likes: 74
From: Walla Walla Washington
So I think you are talking about having the front wheel centered in the wheel opening? If so and you have a full inch difference side to side that is a concern. I would start measuring diagonally to make sure the previous owner set the chassis up correctly. I realize in a tight shop that could be tough but you need to be sure the chassis is correct. Best of luck.
B
B
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 2,580
Likes: 29
From: in a barn
If the rear axle is straight and square to the frame measure from the rear axle center line on each side to the front lower ball joint on each side and you should have the same measurement if the IFS crossmember is straight. You cannot measure to the front wheel CL because if the spindle is turned the measurement is NG. Lower ball joint is a common fixed point on each side, and is normally very close to the actual front wheel CL.
As far as what your measurement should be the 53 up guys will chime in, I think they offset the front wheels about 1 1/2" forward to center the wheel, but I dont know what the wheelbase should be off the top of my head.
EDIT I see you have a corvette rear so not sure you can assume it is straight. Make measurements from factory locations on each side of the frame. Either way that is some serious anti-dive angle on those front upper control arms, hopefully the crossmember was put in place to be correct at the final driving frame rake. Looks like a no limit kit?
As far as what your measurement should be the 53 up guys will chime in, I think they offset the front wheels about 1 1/2" forward to center the wheel, but I dont know what the wheelbase should be off the top of my head.
EDIT I see you have a corvette rear so not sure you can assume it is straight. Make measurements from factory locations on each side of the frame. Either way that is some serious anti-dive angle on those front upper control arms, hopefully the crossmember was put in place to be correct at the final driving frame rake. Looks like a no limit kit?
More Turbo
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 535
Likes: 42
From: Scotland
Excellent idea with the plywood 
- wheels take up a lot of space when they're off. As already mentioned you need to check your frame is straight and square before placing the front wheels.
Midfifty or similar have diagrams to show the location of the front wheels. I think the distance shown here is stock and not the plus (1.25-1.75)" you probably need.
Instructions - Mid Fifty F-100 Parts
- wheels take up a lot of space when they're off. As already mentioned you need to check your frame is straight and square before placing the front wheels.Midfifty or similar have diagrams to show the location of the front wheels. I think the distance shown here is stock and not the plus (1.25-1.75)" you probably need.
Instructions - Mid Fifty F-100 Parts
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 1,589
Likes: 483
From: Kemptville, ON,
Hi guys
Misunderstanding. The frame work is square. It is the fender wheel opening itself that is different from one side to the other.
Misunderstanding. The frame work is square. It is the fender wheel opening itself that is different from one side to the other.
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Marmon-Herrington Man
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 11,986
Likes: 446
From: Central Illinois
I'm far from insightful on this, but have read here that alignment of front sheet metal on 53-56s can be more art than science. My reason for commenting, I have a copy of the '53 Body Builders Layout Book that gives measurements that are insanely detailed. It can't be scanned, too big and faint, but I'll mail a hard copy if you pm me a mailing address. Stu
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 15,882
Likes: 88
From: Durham NC
It is not unusual for fenders to be different sizes, different year replacement, collision repair replacement, etc. Early replacements even OEM were made from well used and reworked dies, aftermarket repop dies or imported back from Ford stampings from other countries (Ford would ship their previous model dies to 2nd and 3rd world countries where our older models were made and sold as their latest model year. An easy way to determine where the new crossmember was installed (stock or forward) is to simply measure the wheelbase on your frame. Stock F100 location would give 110" wb, relocated will measure 110 + 1.25 to 1.5".
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