Technical 55 chevy pickup axle flip

Before i did any tear down i measured the wheel base of the truck . i made
a line from center of rear axle to front of frame and made a mark on the frame at 114" ...after i flipped the axle on top of springs and bolted it down on center of spring my wheel base measurement from rear axle to front frame mark was ahead by 1" so i had to move the spring perch back away from front 1 " from center of spring to get the 114"..hope this is right or my rear wheel wont be center in the rear fender

 

Forget the wheel base and center your wheels in the fender holes. get your rear centered from left to right, set your pinion and weld it.

 

its a bare frame now because i have to weld a camaro sub frame on it ..guess i will have to put the thing back together again ..cab fenders box ??

 

If you measured your wheel base and 114' is in the center of the wheel well 114" will still be in the center of the wheel well when you are done. the inch difference may be due to the way that you are measuring, if I am going bare frame and want to get my wheel base I drop a plumb down from the center of each wheel, then measure from plumb to plumb.

I would not weld the Camaro sub on without the body mounted anyway, that way you are sure that your wheels land in the center of the wheel well. All that stuff can be loosely bolted in place to make I easy to pull off when you need to do so.

 

thanks for the info i will throw it back together and do i your way

 

No throw it back together and do it your way. My way is way down in the snout and scratchin for traction.

You'll do fine, just take your time its not a race its an experience.

 

Hmm..I like that PNB.

 

does anyone have the measurements from rear end of frame rail to center of axle . flipped on not

 

I'll check that out in the morning.

 

Onthego, the wheelbase will change as you load the truck. The rear springs will
become longer as the arch is reduced with weight. Wait until you have the bed and
rear fenders on the truck, only then will you be able to set your rear end in the
correct spot, to center the rear wheels.

........................... Jack

 

You need to make sure you hit the 114" starting with the front wheels centered in the wheel wells. I know it's a pain but test fitting the bed and front sheet metal on/off are a must. That rear frame to axle center will change as stated with weight and load.
And FYI I have experienced the 1" adjustment on the two rear axles I have flipped

 

I was by myself, and the bed is on, so I couldn't get as accurate as I wanted.
It seems to be 37" on mine. I have monoleaf lowering springs and a '68 Firebird 10 bolt diff.
My first measurement was 36 5/8", but I don't think I was on center of the axle.
I looked in my manuals, but I couldn't find a factory measurement for that.

I think the other guys have the answer in putting it back together and just make sure that your wheels are centered in the wheel opening.

Sorry this is so late.

Dave