Have a look guys!
 

Hey guys, I've been building my 57 gmc for the last while and have a question. I put a camaro subframe under the front and threw the cab on this morning and a fender. Do you think the subframe needs to go back a little (an inch or so) or does it look ok? It is just tacked in so I can move it easy. I thought it looked ok but if an engine goes in and the front goes down will it move the wheel slightly forward??...thanks.

Re: Have a look guys!
 

I would put wheel and tire size combination on that you are going to run and pull front spring and put in all thread to simulate ride height, set frame at ride height and then look. Tire size and rake has a huge effect on how wheel looks in opening. The tire you have on there looks pretty short. Heres mine with a 28.3 " tall tire

Re: Have a look guys!
 

I absolutely agree with Hammerdog. It is too big of a project to not go the little extra and get a tire/wheel mounted and at ride height.

Jeff

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Here's where mine sits with a Camaro clip. The tires are 225/60R15 on 15X8 Corvette ralleys.
Byron

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Mine is an inch too far forward. This was the first one I'd done and I had seen all the F-100s that looked like they were swallowing the wheels into the back of the wheelwells. I sure didn't want that so I set it a full inch forward, which was a mistake as you can see below.

Re: Have a look guys!
 

tmoble, what size tires are you running on yours? these are only 205/75 15's. I have the front rims I will use on the back but never bought any tires yet.

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1956chevtruck, Not to hijack this thread but I like how your front tire fills the wheelwell. Right now Ive got temporary 225/75/15's oN my truck but 60's or 65's are in my future. I assume your truck is a static drop... I don't suppose there's any chance it's still on the straight axle, is there? Also. I have a shot at some free or VERY cheap Vette 15x8 Rallys but assumed they be too wide if I lowered it. Any chance you know the back spacing?
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Re: Have a look guys!
 

looks fine to me especially compared to all the others.....whid

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Hey Dan,
It's a camaro clip IFS not a straight axle. I took brand new stock small block springs and stretched them 1 1/4" to get just the right stance (at least in my opinion). The picture shows the stance before the stretch of the springs. On a side note, proud Dad moment, that's my daughter in the passenger seat as one of the Miss Teen Canada Contestants for all of Canada. They're stock 15 X8 Vette ralleys so whatever the stock back spacing is that's the measurement. Hope that helps.

Sorry about posting within your thread kgmunro.

Byron

Re: Have a look guys!
 

mine are 215-70 x 15 on 7 x 15 Rally wheels.

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so how the hell do you go about stretching coil springs? I never even heard of that before?

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whid, was that for me? if so, thanks.

But I really wish I hadn't done that. It has never looked right to me. But the bigger problem is that moving the clip forward made the situation with the core support mount and the steering box much worse.

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Take them too a certified spring shop and they have the equipment to do it. If you look at the two pics, you can really see the difference. Nasty story for raising the truck up some. I was going across a bridge and had no where to go either way and right in the middle of my lane was something big a steel looking. I had no choice but to hit it square on in the middle of my IFS cross member. I was just about sick. Once off the bridge i pulled over and checked under the truck and everything was good except for some scratched paint. Turns out it was a pinion shaft gear and yoke off of a 4X4 (actually a Ford ... Figures!). Next day I went to the spring shop to get some more between me and the road.


Byron

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No worries about hijacking guys...I just appreciate your answers. They have helped me alot.

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Byron,
Beautiful truck, MORE beautiful daughter. Huge congratulations. Thanks for the info, Dan

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When I did mine I kept the 114" wheel base and mine looks perfect. I did a few lock to lock turns and was glad I didn't add anything to it otherwize I can forsee some fender rub if you hit a decent bump while turning.
JMO

Looks good to me

Re: Have a look guys!
 

Wheels always look better front of center. You have it perfect.

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Thanks guys. I put a small block 350 in the front for weight and set the front down where it should be. I think it looks pretty good. Thanks again for comments, this is why I love this website so much!