Just checkin...Rear Ends

So I got under my 1951 Chevy Styleline Deluxe to measure the rear end and came up with 55 Inches. Does that sound right or am I a dumb***.

 

where did you measure? measure from wheel mounting flange

 

Sounds like you measured inside backing plate to inside backing plate. A more useful measurement when hunting for a replacement axle is outside to outside wheel mounting surfaces. Probably be around 60".

Ray

 

Ray, you are right, I did go back to Back. Thanks for the correction. So sixty is about right?

 

It's close.......within an inch, I believe. But you may want to remove the rear wheels and take an accurate measurement to be certain. Also, it would help to consider what wheels and tires you intend to run, if different from what you have now, after you change axles.

For example, if you want to keep close to the same tire to fender clearance, and you are going to change the rear wheels/tires, measure the outside to outside of the existing tires, at the widest part of the sidewall while mounted on the car. Now take the wheels/tires you want to use, set them up at the same dimension, then measure from inside the wheel mounting surface to the other, and THAT is the width rear axle ***embly you need to end up in the right place. Of course, if you get too carried away with wide wheels/tires you could have fender clearance issues on the inside of the tire as well. Just some things to keep in mind when planning your changes.

Ray

 

I like checkin rear ends too - but my wife doesn't support my habit..

 

55" is a wee bit to wide for me... Umm.. OOPS! wrong site. Sorry!

 

X2

 

If you do a search in this section you'll find a number of threads on this subject as well. In those there has been numerous suggestions of various rearends that are similar in dimensions, if you're measuring for future replacement purposes. Some require minor modifications, but for most nothing serious.

Hope this helps!

 

I had to throw that one in there