Roadkill's 58 Chevy Stepside

[_Ogre]

not sure about the measurement
but i moved my centerline forward 3/4 inch to center the lowered wheel in the wheel well

[Kim57]

Originally Posted by Roadkill58

Before I tack weld the TCI IFS crossmember did everyone use the 20 7/8"
measurement or did you make an adjustment to center the wheel?

I would check with TCI. It's possible they took that into account with their measurements.
Kim

[Roadkill58]

Thanks Ogre, and Kim57.

I gues the best way for me is to tack the crossmember in and one top hat and install the a-arms and spindle and bolt on a wheel, hang one fender and see if I like it.

Not sure what wheel or size I'm going to run.

I have 15's on it now and I have some 16's I can try.

Should be able to get close.

I will make note of what ever the measurement is so the next one will be a no brainer.

Regardless of the measurement I will still make sure I have the same distance from center of axel front to rear on both sides.

I don't want the truck going down the road crooked.

[Roadkill58]

Ok guys and gals how does this look?

I'm not talking about the incredibly ugly fender.

I'm talking about the wheel being centered in the wheel well.

[dubie]

Looks good man, right where it's supposed to be
Posted via Mobile Device

[papastrk]

Did you use the 20 7/8" measurement?

[Roadkill58]

Thanks Dubie.

Do you think it should be moved forward an inch?

[Roadkill58]

Originally Posted by papastrk

Did you use the 20 7/8" measurement?

Yes I did.

[Roadkill58]

The crossmember is only tack welded. It can be moved easily.

[Kabwe]

Looks good to me also. Is that your ride height for the rear also? If not I would put the rear at ride height also.

[Kim57]

Looks good.
Kim

[Roadkill58]

Originally Posted by Kabwe

Looks good to me also. Is that your ride height for the rear also? If not I would put the rear at ride height also.

Not sure if the jack was still up back there when I took pic. Guess I should mock it up again and make sure.

The bed isn't on so it will sit a little higher in the rear than it should.

[Roadkill58]

Originally Posted by Kim57

Looks good.
Kim

Thanks Kim.

[papastrk]

I'm measuring from the center of the front spring shackle hole back to get my axle centerline. Is this correct?

[dubie]

how far down are you lowering it?

[Roadkill58]

Originally Posted by papastrk

I'm measuring from the center of the front spring shackle hole back to get my axle centerline. Is this correct?

Yes from the center of the front spring shackle hole.

[Roadkill58]

Originally Posted by dubie

how far down are you lowering it?

I haven't measured ride height. Just want it to be low and mean.

It should a at least 2" or 3" lower than it is now once the engine, trans, and hood and fenders are on.

[_Ogre]

if you have your lower a arm installed, level it and look again
your lower a arm should be level at ride height
me thinks if your going 2-3'' lower it will look a bit to the rear of the wheel well

[OrrieG]

Looking at the top horizontal part of the wheel well it looks a little back to me too. I would weight down the front to check it, about three or four big friends will do for temp ballast.

[Roadkill58]

Same truck. Same ugly fender. 15" wheel on rear with no bed.

16" wheel on front with strut (solid pipe) and bottom A-arm horizontal.

[OrrieG]

That looks ok to me, I may have to backtrack on my previous post. I was looking a Denee post and her front tire (stock axle) lays in about the same place as your first picture, so you are close to stock.

[Roadkill58]

Lets settle this measurement thing logicaly.

There is only so much space of the wheel opening that is usable.

Let's say that number is 22 inches. Divide that in half is 11 inches.

Ogre the difference between this center and the recomended center is
3/4 of an inch to the front of the truck.

What do you guys and gals think?

I made the strut per Kabwe's suggestion. 2 pieces of pipe, 4 fender washers, two bolts. Simple. You can add washers to the top to fine tune.

Should have at least primed that ugly fender so my calculation would be more legible.

[_Ogre]

math doesn't lie
ride height is set right
center is 3/4'' forward

[Roadkill58]

Don't know if this applies to 55 thru 57. It may just be a 58 thru 59 thing.

Now I have to cut out the tack welds and move it forward 3/4".

If I had listened to Ogre I would be done!

[_Ogre]

what is the outside size of your tires?
i run 15'' rims with a 28 tire
your 16'' tires look small in there
maybe its all the light behind it, no inner fender