Help! Narrow rear axle or widen the fenders?

I just introduced myself in the intro forum but I've got a question already. I've been lurking around and searching archives, but this one requires a little more personalized answers.

My project is a 1935 Pontiac coupe and I'm working on body stuff. I've already finished mechanical and driven her a few times. My problem is that my axle is just a hair too wide for the rear fenders. Right now it's sitting a little high to keep the tires from rubbing, but I want to get the rear down a little more... Here are the options that I see:

1) Narrow the axle. It's a Ford 8.8 and I've heard that the stock axles can't be narrowed because of the c-clips. What about removing them and using 9" housing ends?
2) Widen the rear fenders about an inch. I'm not too excited about this because most of my other sheetmetal projects have been a huge headache! I also don't want it to look like a duallie either.
3) Pound out the fenders a little to gain the clearance. I don't have the experience or desire to try this one, I don't even know if it's worth trying...

Please let me know any thoughts from anyone who has had this issue. I know the right way is to shorten the axle, but that's gonna cost a pretty penny and I'm trying to get myself through college right now, so cheaper is better! Thanks for any advice!

 

Why not use an offset wheel? Or are you wanting to use a stock wheel?

 

Oh yea, I'm already maxed out on the wheel backspacing at 4.25" on a 7" wheel... Thanks tho!

 

Fibergl*** rebop fear fender's available? 'Narra a 9".

 

Haven't found any plastic fenders around, but I'd like to stay away from them if at all possible. The fenders are solid and i'd hate to junk them and put on the only piece of gl*** if I didn't have to.

 

I agree with finding a different rear that will fit your car, you could then get it all set up to go in and just take a weekend to change things out.

 

I know going with a 9" would've been better to start with, but I've already got everything installed in the 8.8- differential, disc brakes, everything. I have to stay with discs or change the master cylinder. To get a Versailles rear would be ideal, but I can't imagine doing all that with a 9" would be cheaper than the 8.8 that's already set up...

 

Also, I think the driveshaft would have to be shortened. Is the 9" pumpkin in the center? The 8.8 is offset and I would probably need to shorten to make up for it. Also would need a different pinion yoke...

 

Yea, the more I think about pounding out the fenders, the more I think I would rather pour another concrete patio. I don't really want to do either!

 

in my opinion , widening rear fenders never seams to look right . sometimes when working on a hot rod you have to bite the bullet and do what is right....a narrower rear end

unless you go to a very narrow rim and tire..which may not look right either

 

Thanks for all the help so far... I'm thinking I'll probably just have to narrow the rear. I live fairly close to Strange Engineering, so I'll give them a call tomorrow to see what they say about narrowing the 8.8.
What about the 9" ends in the 8.8 to get rid of the c-clips and still using my stock axles?

 

Selling the 8.8 to a 'stang owner or another rodder will offset the 9" change over.

 

8.8's can be narrowed with no problem, I do them all the time. You will need new axles. There is nothing wrong with the C clips for a street car. The C clip axles are alot cheaper than a 9".

 

What about a 6 inch wheel with similar back spacing?
What size are your tires?

 

235/60/15 BFG Radial T/a's. 15x7 with 4.25 backspacing ARE Torque Thrust 2's.
I know, it's kinda generic, but I think they look pretty good on it... There are a couple other options out there for wheels, but I don't know how much I could get for the "old" wheels/tires. Thoughts? THey have maybe 200 miles on them...

 

I like,em too but that 60 series tire isnt helping you get inside that fender any either, a 195/70 might work wonders???

 

Yea, I know it's a wide tire, but I like the wider tire look and a thinner tire would increase the likelihood of breaking the rear loose from a start= ticket.

 

I thought maybe I could find a drag radial (to make up for less traction) that was thinner, but they're all lower profile so that's not gonna work either. Looks like I'll be talking to strange and possibly paying out the **** for an inch of axle... Blah.

 

I had the same problem on my 37 coupe something like 25 years ago.At that time,narrowing rear axles weren't very common-only rich guys could afford it.All I had was a 57 Chevy axle and springs to use--so shorted the springs and used the 57 spring mounts.I'm running 255/70-15's on the car--so my friend wided the steel fenders.If I remember right,we wided them 2 inchs right at the mounting strip. I know it sounds weird--but it really helped the look of the car--from the back,it kinda looks like a Willys.

 

That's where I was thinking about adding the material- right at the seam where it mounts. It wouldn't have to be as pretty and wouldn't involve a whole lot with the curve. I dunno, I think it might be worth it- your car looks pretty good!

 

You seem to be stuck on retaining a Phord axle. Have you even looked for something else that has the correct width ?? Installing a disc package on another rear might be less money than shortening the 8".
Just my $0.02.

 

Check with Dutchmans http://www.dutchmanms.com/ They can most likely make you a set of shorter axles to fit the rear end if you narrow it. You can probably get the housing shortened locally.

 

I realize you are pretty far along on this project. But can you please back up for us a bit. What did the 8.8 come out of? Mustang, Crown Vic, Ranger, Explorer, F-150? What kind of suspension does the '35 have? Parallel leaves, Ladder Bars, 4-bar triangulated?

These things will help determine what options there are. If you are already committed to this axle, and those wheels, then shortening may be the best option. If you want to shorten the axle, you should shorten it enough to center the mounting flange in the wheel well. That gives you the most options in the future. Don't just do it a half inch so the current wheels fit.

My initial thought is to go with aftermarket shafts and C-clip eliminator bearings. But then a call to Ch***is Engineering wouldn't hurt to see what other options they suggest.

 

I may have missed what engine you're using, but why not an S10 4WD rear? Narrow, disks already on 'em, cheap, plentiful, pretty stout, and chev. bolt pattern. Go with your gut, don't widen the fenders.

Brian

 

Thanks for all the messages today...
I'm definitely leaning towards narrowing, I got a quote from Strange today for $600 for new axles and narrowing. I just don't know if I would be able to swap rears for the same price. Anyone have any idea what my rear would be worth? It's a Ford 8.8 with new disc brakes, trac-lok diff, 3.73 gears- everything that moves is new.

How does the strength of the 8" compare to 9" or 8.8's? I'm running about 400hp through a t-56 trans with street tires...

 

Here's the fender as it stands now, just to help you all visualize...

 

Still don't know which rear you are using, but the 8.8 axle shafts come in a variety of lengths. You might be able to find one a few inches shorter than your longer one, and shorten the tube on that side to fit it. Would need to redo brackets, spring pads or whatever to recenter it side to side, but could be quite a bit cheaper than $600.

 

The rear's out of a 98 Explorer- 31 splines and disc brakes