I guess this isn't really O/T at all now as I have two cars with the same question but it still might be stupid. I have parallel leaf straight axle setups in both of my trucks. Does backspacing make a big difference on these? The only time I've run into backspacing issues have been for either clearance over disc brake calipers or clearance onto suspensions. I know that wheel wells are an issue but that's nothing my die grinder couldn't fix. Am I missing something or would there not be any big deal going from 2 inches to 4 inches of backspacing on a straight axle?
Yeah. If you go from 2 in to 4 inches, you will be moving the WHEEL and tire two inches CLOSER to the center of the vehicle. Two inches could cause rubbing when you turn or enter driveways, etc; not to mention hitting the springs or ch***is. Check your plans out with some old tires and wheels before spending $$ on ordering something vastly different from what you are running now. Just one guy's opinion... and not worth much. Good luck. Al
It would shorten(oops lengthen) the left hand turn radius quite a bit.(depending on what you are doin it to)LOL
Measure backspace of existing wheel and amount of clear space. If 2" more backspace will give you one inch or more clear then no problem.
This particular one is a 1967 Chevy short cargo van with a sbc. I'd really like to get it to "handle" as much as that can be said for something like this. It's down at my dad's in Florida and I was thinking of driving it back when I go down there. It runs great but needs tires anyway so I was going to send some down in advance and put em on when I get there. I've got pictures of underneath but I guess I just need him to get down there and measure them. He's 73 so I don't like to ask too much of him.
I might be wrong, but it sounds like he is asking how it will effect the handling of the truck. Changing the scrub radius (the distance from the kingpin centerline as compared to the wheel/tire centerline) will in some instances cause a 'wandering' felling in the steering, the vehicle will want to follow ruts in the road, and will handle funny on uneven roads. Exactly how much is unknown, until you get them mounted up and do a test drive. Stevo
Even if that were the case, a simple alignment should help w/ the wandering. Most any time you alter anything on the front axle, you should check alignment & adjust accordingly. Jus' my .02.
Scoob Anytime you change your back space you change your track width. that efects how it will handle and stability at speed. Ideally you want your front track width to be as wide as the rear or slightly wider. I'm thinking that if you give your vehicle 2" more back space it will make the track width quite a bit narrower will it make it handle worse well that remains to be seen you may be compensateing with a wider tire so its a **** shoot at this point.
yeah, the new wheels and tires I could get are huge. They are 15x8 and 15x10 both with 4" backspacing. So there would be more contact patch all over. It's got 14x6's all around right now.
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