Projects wheelbase question

i am starting on a new winter project. a fenderless pickup. i want to build my own frame and use 2x3x .125 tubing. have a 4" front "z" and a 12" rear "z". i am using a 40 ford front axle converted to spring over with split wishbones, a 261 chevy 6cyl, a 40 ford p/u cab and not sure on rear suspension. i figure the front bones will be 42" from center of axle to tie rod. i want the mount for front bones to be at the point I "z" the frame to keep axle centerline parallel to bottom frame rail.this gives me a front frame rail of 42" from front crossmember centerline to start of where i "z" frame.the 261 measures 34" long.this gives me 8" room to use between engine and radiator and engine and cab. then have a 56" well for cab to sit in. if i plan 24" from back of cab to center of rear axle i keep coming up with a 122" wheelbase and this seems way too long. what am i figuring wrong here or is 122 ok?

 

122" is almost Cadillac size.
Duster 108"
Road Runner 116"

 

Why don't you just roll the tires up in there until you like what you see then go off of that?

 

I just built my truck frame 2x5 in the front z up in the rear to 2x4 under the bed . Its 108 and every thing fits nice

 

before building any chassis always mock the body up with the wheels and tires you want to use and build your frame from that. the numbers mean nothing until that point. its extremely important, when building the type of vehicle you are building, to get the placement of the axles right.

 

YOu can't really compare the WB of an axle-in-front-of-radiator car to a modern car where the front axle is often half of the way back under the engine.
122" would be a "short wheelbase" for a Skinny fender era Deusenberg, Packard or Cadillac.
A '30 Ford AA truck had a 131.5" WB

 

96 inch here. Axle is in front of the frame.

 

Well, I'd explain, but I don't think anyone is listening.

 

i'm listening

 

A 40 Willys coupe is about 101. A 57 Chevy about 114". If its fenderless put it where tyou like it. There is no hard and fast rule. Good Luck and keep building

 

You really need to mock up as much as you can. On mine the center of the front crossmembr is 33" to the firewall your rear measurements(cab to rear) are pretty close to mine 22" My wheelbase is 109" your motor is gonna be a bit longer out front but I think the extra length your coming up with is from your bones being that long my hairpins are I think only 27" or so If your planning on running your axle out front of your grilleshell your probably close if your not I think your gonna be a bit long

Here is a pic of mine if this is close to what your wanting PM me I'll give you any measurements you need