centering front wheels
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,243
Likes: 0
From: Michigan
Some say it's 1 1/2 inches but when I did my first IFS install I set the fenders and rad support back on then placed the wheel/tire where I thought it should be. That install was at least 15 yrs ago so I don't remember the dim.
Chuck
Chuck
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 8,813
Likes: 13
From: Littleton, New Hampshire
Originally Posted by david fantini
I was wondering how far forward the centerline of the front end has to moved forward to center the wheel in the fender?
Vern
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 8,813
Likes: 13
From: Littleton, New Hampshire
Originally Posted by AXracer
1 1/2" is the concensus, and you can buy new springs or main leaves with the center bolt moved forward that amount along with an extended drag link.
Vern
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 15,882
Likes: 88
From: Durham NC
The concensus is the dimension that the springs and drag links are made to.
If you are installing IFS I guess you can put it wherever you please, but unless you want to have custom springs and draglink made, I'd go with what's already available for 1/2" difference. If the center is actually 1" forward, I'd wonder why the aftermarket parts weren't made to that dimension since they wanted to move it to correct the appearance and could have made it any dimension when they designed the parts why would they choose to move it 1/2" too far the other way? That video is a single person's opinion and may have been comprimised for ease of installation of the IFS? It may have become the accepted measurement simply because it's the most widely used reference?
If you are installing IFS I guess you can put it wherever you please, but unless you want to have custom springs and draglink made, I'd go with what's already available for 1/2" difference. If the center is actually 1" forward, I'd wonder why the aftermarket parts weren't made to that dimension since they wanted to move it to correct the appearance and could have made it any dimension when they designed the parts why would they choose to move it 1/2" too far the other way? That video is a single person's opinion and may have been comprimised for ease of installation of the IFS? It may have become the accepted measurement simply because it's the most widely used reference?
Trending Topics
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 143
Likes: 0
From: 45 minutes East of Frisco
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Ford Super Duty: 5 Things Owners LOVE, 5 Things They LOATHE!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2026 Ford Truck Engine RANKED from WORST to FIRST!
Michael S. Palmer
The Best F-150 Deal of Every Trim Level (XL through Raptor)
Joe Kucinski
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 15,882
Likes: 88
From: Durham NC
Originally Posted by GreatNorthWoods
I thought IFS installation was what we were discussing. I can't imagine someone going to the trouble to move a stock axle centerline forward.
Vern
Vern
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 8,813
Likes: 13
From: Littleton, New Hampshire
My trucks are 48 and 49, one with IFS and the other stock, so I really hadn't given it a lot of thought. I have driven enough beam axles in my day to know that I'd prefer anything else...
Vern
Vern
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 8,813
Likes: 13
From: Littleton, New Hampshire
Originally Posted by david fantini
vern, I will be attempting to mate a 2000 grand marquis clip to my '54. thanks
A whole front clip is a lot tougher job than a Volare or MII and will take a lot of measuring and fabrication as I'm sure you are aware. I've done just one whole clip and that was a Nova many years ago. The only advise I can offer is measure, measure, and then measure again. Be sure you figure out where you want the centerline and mark it well. Try to find a point of reference up near the firewall somewhere that will still be there after the front part of the original frame is removed. At least with the Grand Marquis it will be all Ford. Good luck...
Vern