Guys, I am in the middle a frame off retro mod on my 1951 Chevy truck (3600) I am replacing both the front and back axles with an updated 5 lug rear end and front suspension. My question is what width rims are folks using? I do not want to tub if possible and as far as the width of the rear axle I can narrow it once I figure out rim and tire size. (found a posi rear end out of a 1994 Camaro Z28.) Also I have the front and rear axles and 4 speed transmission if anyone is looking for a deal. Thanks Don
....I've built lots of these AD trucks over the years, I run 15x7 front rims, 15x8 rears with 205-75's and 235-75's tires. Rearend width wheel mount to wheel mount is 61-2 inches. Front susp is usually 59-60 width (68-74 Nova / 64-72 Chevelle clips) front and rear tires have just rite clearance, here's a few...
Kind of an ambiguous question there Don. What kinda style are you after? If it were mine I'd run 15 x 7 on the front and 15 x 8 on the back with appropriately sized tires. Also, your choice of rearend is not a good one. You need a big 10 bolt from a 2nd gen F-body (or a '75 and later Nova or the like). Those axles are a bolt in for your application with nothing more than a simple spring perch swap. And they're twice as strong as the 7.5" from a '94 Camaro. That axle is most definitely too wide I suspect.
Mechanic58 you are making a pretty good ***umption about the rear end that I am using. You don't know anything about the motor, my driving habits, etc. to make that claim. I get it a 7.5/10 bolt is not as good as a 8.5/10 bolt which is not as good as a 12 bolt or better yet the Holy Grail of rear ends the 9". That was not my question I just wanted to hear what other people were using as far as rims so I could back out the math and determine the how much to narrow the rear end. If I had ***led this thread as " Need opinions on rear ends" then that comment would have been appropriate.
I'm running a 91 camaro rear in my 49 GMC and it is the PERFECT width. Trim off all of the two link stuff, weld some perches on, and go. Also, I'm running 15X7 fronts and 15X8 rears. Rich
Somebody loves rally's. I gotta pair of 15x8's for $100 that I cant seem to get rid of. Put 'em on Craigslist in Calif.: Countless Cali Camaro pilots conjugate hereabouts. Cardinal...I thought Don was Spot-on with his '***umption'. Any 'truck' should have the best rear that can be had. (the old Chevy ****er that used the axle shafts as inner wheel brg races is a good example...) Just a generalization, no offense intended. (my '55 F100 has a 9")
"Somebody loves rally's" ...yeah, Rallys have just always been the best deal on steel wheels in 6,7 & 8" widths; and since I have a pile of em I'm still usin em; to me they're just steel wheels with holes in em, and I like em specially with older dog dish caps adapted.
The Jalopy Journal
