Front track too wide
 

I need to shave the front track down about 4 inches...Right now the only option I know of is to use a Dropmember. Those things are great for sure, but I really dont want to bag my truck if I dont have to. I prefer the static drop for this particular ride.

Dropmembers after all is said and done are probably close to or maybe even over 2 grand. Money well spent if bagging was what you had in mind in the first place.

I read somewhere that someone was going to narrow their crossmember, but in my head I dont see how this will work without some serious fab work which equals big expense.

Any other way to do this? After market a arms that arent as wide? Maybe narrowing a cross member is easier than I think?

Any insights are appreciated...thanks guys.

Re: Front track too wide
 

Why would you need narrow it?

Re: Front track too wide
 

I would just change the front wheels to something with more backspacing or a narrower wheel all together.

Re: Front track too wide
 

You can get a DropMember set up for coil overs ;)

Some people shorten there A-arms, but that will mess with your steering & stuff, so I dont really know what you would do

This truck has a narrowed front

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=317961

Re: Front track too wide
 

I have a 69 converted to disk. This pushes the track out. I have 15x8 inch rims with a 4.25 inch backspacing. I set these rims on a truck set up like mine and its going to leave the tire almost against the wheel opening lip on the fender.

I see trucks all the time with giant wheels and tires on the front and all slammed to the ground. I know most of these rigs dont have drop members (even though Nathan would like that lol). How are these guys getting away with that?

And since when were you able to run coil overs on a drop member? Are you talking about the Corvette set up? As you guys can tell this stuff befuddles me..lol

Re: Front track too wide
 

Big rims allow bigger backspacing. I like a 20x8 with a 5.25 BS, or a 20x8.5 with a 5.75 BS.
You can't do that with 15 inch rims.

Re: Front track too wide
 

I had no idea you could go with that much backspacing even with big wheels. Im not much of a big rim guy, I look at the pics but dont really read the specs.

Thanks for the info...I really do learn stuff here everyday.

Re: Front track too wide
 

Maybe of you guys could tell me how deep of a backspace I can use with 15 inch wheels before they interfere with something?

Re: Front track too wide
 

You would have to talk to Nate about that, but I think I remember him having one (other than the C-4) that could run coil overs

Re: Front track too wide
 

I would say 4-4.25 inches.
Just run a 7 inch rim or narrower.

Re: Front track too wide
 

You can run the 7" wheels from a light duty '80s truck or 6.5s from a full size van if you like the truck rallies. You can get away with a little more BS if you're not using drop spindles, but not much. CPP's new modular spindles keep your stock track width, but require a 17" wheel...

Re: Front track too wide
 

Everything is pointing me to the dropmember. I have a look Im going for and the skinny wheels just wont work for me...Anybody wanna buy a 58 Ford wagon or maybe a 51 Ford flathead V8? Time to liquidate...lol.

Thanks again guys for helping me out

Re: Front track too wide
 

CG-

I build front suspension systems to accomodate ALL needs. If you're looking for something special, like a static set-up... No problem. We're working on a couple options as we speak.

Re: Front track too wide
 

Thanks, Ill have to give you a call.

Besides lowering my plans all along were to put my Caddy 500 in it and I was never able to figure out if that combo was compatible with your drop member.

But now that I picked up the 41 Caddy from oldiron I think Im going to save my Caddy drive train for that. Time for the good old reliable 350 and auto combo.

Re: Front track too wide
 

I've personally run 15x8 with 4.25 b.s. (Cragar SS wheels) with 245/60/15 tires on the front of a truck that had been converted to disks and lowered 4.5 inches in front.

No narrowing needed, no rubbing either.

My stepside in my signature actually has 64 model drum brake suspension under it, with ECE conversion drop spindles and 5 lug rotors off a 77 model truck. 8 inch wide wheels on all 4 corners. Nothing narrowed.

Re: Front track too wide
 

Here's an option for ya CG! http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=277621

Re: Front track too wide
 

I too have been looking at options and found this one.
http://www.classicperform.com/NewPro...op_Spindle.htm
I posted this a month or so ago but didnt get much info on it. That post is now gone but it looks like it might work but it will only move it 1 1/8 per side so only 2 1/4 overall instead of the 4 you were looking for.

Re: Front track too wide
 

Ill be running 275 60 15s on all corners. This is the same set up see ten was running on his truck at one time. But maybe because his is a disk brake truck from the get go the track is narrower?

LOL...frizzle if I was going to do that I would have to drop my panel off at your house and just wait for your call to let me know its finished.

Re: Front track too wide
 

Half ton GM disc brake trucks have the same track width regardless of year. The crossmembers will interchange throughout the 63-87 model range which means the a-arm location & pivot points are the same. The exception to this might be the 81-87 Lt.duty 1" rotor equipped trucks.

Re: Front track too wide
 

So you're saying my 69 that has the drum to disk conversion which pushes the track out approx 1.5 inches per side is now equal to our trucks that came stock with disks?

Re: Front track too wide
 

Yes.

Re: Front track too wide
 

I'll be doing the same to my '69 swb. I have a set of McGaughy's drop spindles. I'll be using all my static drop stuff off of the blazer.

You are thinking about spending alot of money ,... just to keep those 275/60's up front.
The track width of these trucks has always been wider up front. The look of a "wider track width" just gets magnified when you lower them. Actually the lower arms do push the spindle out when you use a drop spring. (arm is more horizontal instead of pointing down)
My old 17's I had on the blazer were 17x8's with a 5" backspace,... and they worked fine.

Re: Front track too wide
 

Did you actually measure the difference in track width before doing the swap & after?

Re: Front track too wide
 

I haven't done the swap yet. I'm going by what Ive read on the board. I have already purchased my spindles and disk kit. You're the first person that's given a definitive yes to the after the swap to disks the front track now equals all the disk brake trucks (well, up to a certain year).

Re: Front track too wide
 

My reasoning for doing the larger tires is this...A panel truck is a huge beast of a truck. Even though its the same size as a burb, it looks larger because of the lack of windows. So in the rear I see that tire as the best looking and fitting. Now my plans are to do some real road trips in this thing so I would prefer to have the same size tire on all four corners.

Look at post number four in this thread. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=285491 see tens truck looks very good with this set up. Basically what I want to run except not ralleys, just plain steel for me. When I put my steel wheel on a truck that went from drum to disks, even though I didnt have the tire mounted you could tell it was going to be rub city.

I think my best option is going to be a drop member. I just wish I could use springs instead of bags.

Re: Front track too wide
 

I did measure my 68 before/after & I seem to recall it was closer to .500" wider per side w/the discs vs. drums (my info said to expect .375" difference). This was w/factory 68 a-arms, 73-87 spindles (1.25" rotors), 73-87 steering assembly, & the factory 68 manual pitman/idler arms. Was the truck you based your numbers off of lowered? If so, how?

I used 6.5" van ralleys & had no issues w/about 6" of front drop.

You mentioned this was going to be a road warrior so you wanted the same size tire all around. Would you consider the same height all around? That would get you closer to your goal w/o having to resort to an air suspension (which it sounds like you don't want). A 215-75-15 is less than .500" difference in height & would work well on a 6.5-7" wheel & compliment the rear sizing for good symmetry. A 215-75 spare is easier to conceal & would work @ every corner.

Pic below is w/215-75's & 275-60's on 6.5" & 8" wheels respectively. Food for thought . . . ....

Re: Front track too wide
 

I didnt know that was your truck...I really like it. Its one of the couple I was going back and forth on when trying to decide my tire size.

Re: Front track too wide
 

Thanks. The sizes I listed were eventually replaced w/215-75's & 255-70's to help the 6cyl/3spd/3.73 combo on the road. Unfortunately..... that truck got a Dropmember & then got disassembled :waah: .