Thread: Front End Width?

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Well I was told that a 79 Z28 front end is probably too wide for my 48 and that I wont have any steering clearance for the wheels in the fenders... Well I got this site: http://www.chevytrucks.org/tech/ifs&rearend.htm

Can anyone tell me which one of those to use (would I use Track width or what?) and then what is the width on the original 48 front end? If anyone has any idea on this then it would be greatly appreciated! I really need/want to know this now because if it doesn't fit then I am going to THROW a fit.
Thanks!

Shawn-

FMX,
Measure the front track of your truck center of tire to center of tire , then you might have an idea what will work.

I would think some one here will give you an answer.

Spray

Spray, this is on the 48 coupe man. I have nothing to it, no tires, no suspension, nothing. I have the upper and lower control arms bolted to the spindel. I wouldn't doubt that this thing is the wrong size because if the guy can't even keep bolts in order or even keep bolts AT ALL then I bet he screwed this thing up. It seems to be pretty accurate in measurment besides that for some reason the leveling is off a bit which kind of pissed me off.

it must work, i know of 3 that were done with that sub. i got one married to a 52 frame beside my shed that i had given to me, i was pretty cobbled up though so i didnt use it. if you come to iowa i'll give it to ya.

So you say it will work? If not then nothing I can do about it but widen the fenders. I wish I could go pick that frame up but of course I wont be able to. lol What all do you have to it? Any peices that can be taken off that are any good that I can use?

it will work, i had my fenders and cab on and if you use the camaro rearend like lots do the wheel stance will all be the same. the biggest problem i was dealing with it was it seemed like the steering gearbox and the frame horns were always in the way. it looked like you would have to do some serious revamping with the radiator support to get it all to work up front. lots have done it and thats the route i was going to take but i was talked into Mustang II. i'll try to take some pics of my frame tomorrow for ya.

Pics would be great! How would I do the whole radiator set up and steering? That is the biggest thing I don't know what to do with and how to do it. Also where can I go to get the whole radiator support stuff as well because I don't have a radiator or nothing to that, just 4 fenders, hood, doors, body and a plain frame with nothing on it. (my pictures on my old thread show what I have.

Although I've never built a rod with the camaro stub (unless ya wanna count circle track cars) I have a buddy thats done bunches of em, he just did a 48 Plymouth sedan for a guy down the street from me, and what he did on that one was cut a section outa the crossmember and then welded it back together to get the proper track width before grafting it to the 48's chassis

HWORRELL, I thought about that in case it isn't going to fit but then it will throw all the alignment and everything off since everything will be pitched forward wont it?

Originally posted by FMXhellraiser
Spray, this is on the 48 coupe man. I have nothing to it, no tires, no suspension, nothing. I have the upper and lower control arms bolted to the spindel. I wouldn't doubt that this thing is the wrong size because if the guy can't even keep bolts in order or even keep bolts AT ALL then I bet he screwed this thing up. It seems to be pretty accurate in measurment besides that for some reason the leveling is off a bit which kind of pissed me off.

Do you have the front fenders? You could mock up the front end.Set the fenders in place. Set a pair of tires/wheels under the fenders placed where it looks like they should be. Measure track width of your mock up and see what donor is closest to that measurement.

Originally posted by FMXhellraiser
HWORRELL, I thought about that in case it isn't going to fit but then it will throw all the alignment and everything off since everything will be pitched forward wont it?

Shouldn't affect the alignment at all ''IF'' you weld it back together straight. Easier said then done, but doable. Just do some homework BEFORE you start cutting. I would do some measuring and build a jig to hold both sides solid in place when you cut the center section out. Do a neat, "Square" job of sectioning the subframe so the 2 sides mate together well for a good weld. Fish plates would be a good thing too. Slide the 2 pieces together, tack weld, then check alignment before you weld it. I'd even recheck the alignment a couple times as I welded it back together (Heat Warps). Take your time, Measure, measure, measure.

Thanks. I thought it would affect "toe in" if you pitch the front in since the control arms will be pitching in too... Well you guys of course know more than me so I guess I am wrong.

i have a 50 chevy business coup with 80 trans am front sub on it .this is the best thing i have done to it next to the blown 548 bow tie in it it all fits under the hood it all fits and power steering and geat stopping power this thing handles geat but the front track is a litte wide but with the rigth off set rim s it is good i built the frame over 20 years a go i found a spot in the frame that was close then i tack it to the old frame and then i cut plates and box it then i used weld like body filler and sand it smooth i box the top to the back of the front A arm so you can t see the cut i cut it in the kick up the more you leave the more front drop you will have i set the ride on the sub with load screws threaded 1/2 rod thur the were the shocks go and a thick over 3/8 plate it the bottom A arm i ran it down in the middle of travel this will help fined out were you like it to set this was done before i cut the kick up all off and tack it look at it got it were i like it and weld it i have done a 50 chevv truck too it work geat and it s the cheaper way to go you have to make bumpers brackets and a rad cross over to hold the front core support up i used 2by2 boxs tube

Thanks for the info. I am guessing this thing should work then.

by the way my car has not been to the front end shop i was scared they could dent or sratch my black paint job it runs down the road like it got eyes in it measure measure and measure tack a big pice of steel a cross the frame so it don't move on you do not weld to much on one side .go side to side fine holes or points so you good spots to measures if you know a frame man see if he will let you use his tram or make one this better than a tape i would cross measures to check for a diamonds in both frames sub and truck