My name is Fran and I'm a long time lurker. I am putting a car together and have mechanical knowledge but no experience with these front ends. Help would be appreciated. I have a 47" VCW I beam w/35" perch centers. A 32 ford full fender bracketed frame made for this axle which I purchased years ago and didn't remember the correct width and didn't measure. The problem is I ordered the frame for a 46" axle with 34" perch centers. Will this work? Will acknowledge replies.
Don't really understand your concern. Are you worried about the fender brace hitting the tire? Your perch centers shouldn't be a problem with the four bar. 32's have a king pin measurement of 50 1/2' and if narrowed, this is reduces to 48 1/2". Since yours is 47", my only concern is the tire hitting the inside of the fender with the tire.
The angle on the four bars (how wide they are at the front) will be off if you have brackets for a 34" perch but your axle is a 35" (or vice-versa). Some places sell the rear adjusters for a fourbar that have a swivel in them to allow for left-right adjustment. I think they may be sold by Kugel, but you can check around. Might just be cheaper to get the correct axle.
Thanks for the replies. The four bars bolt up to the bat wings appear okay. My concern is the 1/2 side of the width difference. It looks like it will work but will it work in the most efficient way. Or is the difference so negligible it won't be a problem. I just want it to be as good as it could be. Thanks again. Franco.
Most guys put the adjusters back at the frame end of the four bars. If you get the adjusters that also adjust sideways you will be OK. I don't think pushing the bars over a half inch will be good for their lifespan. I just looked at the Kugelkomponents website and the adjustable ends are about $50 each. You would be money ahead to sell your axle and buy one the correct width. OR, cut the mounts off and tilt them to the correct angle and reweld.
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