wider track width in front....will it look odd?

I am currently building a 3W 1930 pontiac coupe.

I just got got a s10 rear axle which measures approx 55" WMS -> WMS. The measurements are a perfect fit for the body.

Up until tonight I was planning on using a 46-48 ford front axle, until I got downstairs and measured it. It's the widest of the early ford axles as far as I know (still new to all of this). It seems like once I get my backing plates and hubs and drums on, I will have a 3" or so wider track in the front than the back.

Will this look awkward on an open wheel hot rod? I have a 37-41 axle I could potentially use, would this be a better option?

-Steve

 

you can always adjust the backspacing of the wheels to account for the track width issues.....more backspacing in front and less in the rear

 

Most all autos have wider front than rear tracks (measured at the center of the tire, regardless of tire width). It makes them handle more predictably. Gary

 

Just go for that mid 60s drag look!

Doc.

 

1-1/2" per side measured at WMS to WMS isn't going to be bad at all.
But I'd be looking at the front tires to wishbone/hairpin clearance.

 

how it looks is in the eye of the beholder but it seems desirable to french engineers; see most Citroens, (this London to Sydney type reversed the rears for sand so as to run in the groove of the front) the Avions-Voisin Laboritoire (sp) and a few Peugeot concepts ... off the top of my head.

 

use a earlyer ford axle its a few inches narrower.

 

it will be ok, use what you have

 

thanks guys!

 

I think you will NOT be happy once the car is done.. Wider track on new cars, OK, on early 30's cars, no way.......

 

ok... time to scrap the rear end I got and get the 4wd s10 version with is about 4" wider.

 

If the rear axle is a perfect fit, why are you replacing it instead of the to wide front axle?????

 

x 2

 

NOBODY will notice 3" total.

Plus, you can play with wheel offsets.

 

You can only do so much with wheel offset.... ask me how I know. A couple of inches can make a world of difference on how your car looks and what you can do to make it look better. I would go with a narrower front.

 

How about 1" spacers on the rear wheels? That would bring it down to 1/2" on each side (1" total). However, I don't think the 3" total is any big deal.

 

http://www.droppedaxles.com/FORD_AXLES.html#TXTOBJ7D8165132C1D31

Here's your measurements for Ford axles king pin c/c
Stock /dropped is shorter.
28-31 - 50.5
32. 50.5
33-36 50.5
37 v8 60. 48.5
37-41. 48.5
46-48 50.75

I guess the main question is what wheel and tire combo are you going to run?
Big and little's ? Tall skinnies, same all four corners?

Second question is exactly how wide is that Pontiac?
My 31 Ford Vicky is 44 wide at the rear wheel wells. The 33/34 Ford 5w coupe rear is the same 44" at rear w well.

My rear end is 57 1/2 wms to wms and a dropped 32 up front that works out to about 58.5 wms to wms.
Rear wheels 8.5 with 3.75 back space.
Fronts are 4.5 with 2.0 back space
Rim center to rim center on the rear is 58.5
rim center to rim center front is 59.5"
Ive chosen those axle lengths BASED OFF THE WHEEL TIRE COMBO i wanted and starting at the rear so they fit the body exactly how I wanted. I really liked the look of the 10" wheel but then it didn't fit the car. I would have needed a 55 inch axle to be close and use the 10" wide rim.
Hope that helps .

PS. Either of those front axles you have available are situated in such a will that will cause the tire to hit true split wishbones and limit your turning radius.

 

when mine was in mock up i noticed my axle was wider in the front than the back (8 inch ford) it looked stupid. it wasnt by much but i could tell and i hated it,turned out it was a AA axle,i swapped it for something else and am MUCH happier.

long story short, sure it will work,some may not notice,but it depends on how much it bothers you.

 

After re-measuring, I feel the rear end is too narrow. The body is also 44" etween the wheel wells. I was planning on using the 46-48 axle and taking the 37-41 to the swap meet. I just might hold on to it now.

Im going to get a little bit wider rear end. This is my first hotrod build... lots to learn yet. thanks guys.

 

If you use 1" spacers on the rear, you could go from 4 3/4" bolt pattern to 5 1'2" bolt pattern and run old ford wheels front and rear..... And it would fit better under the fenders......

 

Great idea there. Need to make a note of that combo. It works well

 

Just narrow the front axle and fish plate from behind

 

NO NO NO, Even worse. You need the track narrowed. The problem is the front is too wide. Change the front axle.

 

If you have the 37-41 axle why not use it . Everything from the 48 will fit on it.