Question about centering rear axle in wheel opening on 4x4 burb or panel. - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**John Fabris** · 10-23-2012, 02:03 PM

Hi Gang,

Slowly working on my 68 3/4 ton 2wheel drive panel, mostly collecting the parts to convert this to 3/4 ton 4x4.

I have a factory 3/4 ton 4x4 frame from a 67 GMC (that was a rare find!) as well as a new 85 3/4 4x4 diesel suburban frame.

I can tell on my 2wd panel, that the rear axle is not centered, but was wondering about the leaf spring rear axles. Are they slightly forward too?

I will be changing springs and axles (using all of the hardware/running gear from the 85 burb) so some cutting and welding will be involved. Has any of you relocated your rear axle/Springs on the frame to center the rear wheels in the wheel opening?

Also anyone have a direct side shot of your 4x4 panel/burb that you can post? I am finding lots of pictures, but none are a direct side shot.

Thanks!!!!

nate_g_2003 · 10-23-2012, 04:02 PM

I can't really offer much to answer your questions, but here are some side shots of my '72 K2500. It has rearched springs with 2-3" of lift, and 33x12.5/16.5s.

vectorit · 10-23-2012, 04:28 PM

Rear wheel - 1968 K20 Suburban
16.5 wheel, 33" tall tire.

**John Fabris** · 10-24-2012, 10:57 AM

Cool pictures Guys. It kinda looks like 4x4 axles sit a little forward as well. I am banking on that it is safe to use the measurements from my 2 wheel drive panel to find center and move the 4x4 axle back just a little bit to be centered (to top of wheel opening).

Let the fun begin.

Mr Pops · 10-24-2012, 08:00 PM

I'm also doing a 4x4 conversion on my 68 Burb. I'm also converting the rear to leaf springs. My plan is to measure 127" from the center of the front hub to figure out my rear axle placement.

boostat4500 · 10-25-2012, 10:15 PM

When I swapped a 14 bolt into my burb I used spring perches with offset pin holes to move the axle back 1". I also did the same thing on the front with a zero rate block welded to the perch. This picture is old and not quite straight on, but you can see how the tires are much closer to centered than stock.

10-23-2012, 02:03 PM	#1
John Fabris TOTY 2006 Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Magalia CA USA Posts: 2,270	Question about centering rear axle in wheel opening on 4x4 burb or panel. Hi Gang, Slowly working on my 68 3/4 ton 2wheel drive panel, mostly collecting the parts to convert this to 3/4 ton 4x4. I have a factory 3/4 ton 4x4 frame from a 67 GMC (that was a rare find!) as well as a new 85 3/4 4x4 diesel suburban frame. I can tell on my 2wd panel, that the rear axle is not centered, but was wondering about the leaf spring rear axles. Are they slightly forward too? I will be changing springs and axles (using all of the hardware/running gear from the 85 burb) so some cutting and welding will be involved. Has any of you relocated your rear axle/Springs on the frame to center the rear wheels in the wheel opening? Also anyone have a direct side shot of your 4x4 panel/burb that you can post? I am finding lots of pictures, but none are a direct side shot. Thanks!!!! __________________ John Fabris 67 C10 SWB

10-23-2012, 04:02 PM	#2
nate_g_2003 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Gregory, TX Posts: 413	Re: Question about centering rear axle in wheel opening on 4x4 burb or panel. I can't really offer much to answer your questions, but here are some side shots of my '72 K2500. It has rearched springs with 2-3" of lift, and 33x12.5/16.5s. Attached Images __________________ -Nathan- 1972 GMC K2500 Suburban "The Project" 2013 GMC Sierra 1500 SLT Z71 "The Daily Driver" 2005 Ford F150 Lariat SCrew 2WD "The Daily Driver" SOLD 1995 GMC Sierra C1500 SLE "The Daily Driver"SOLD 2003 Ford Ranger Edge 2DSC 2WD Flareside "The Daily Driver/Project"SOLD

10-23-2012, 04:28 PM	#3
vectorit What? Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Southern California Posts: 7,617	Re: Question about centering rear axle in wheel opening on 4x4 burb or panel. Rear wheel - 1968 K20 Suburban 16.5 wheel, 33" tall tire. Attached Images __________________ Chris 1968 K20 Suburban 1972 K10 LWB PU

10-24-2012, 10:57 AM	#4
John Fabris TOTY 2006 Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Magalia CA USA Posts: 2,270	Re: Question about centering rear axle in wheel opening on 4x4 burb or panel. Cool pictures Guys. It kinda looks like 4x4 axles sit a little forward as well. I am banking on that it is safe to use the measurements from my 2 wheel drive panel to find center and move the 4x4 axle back just a little bit to be centered (to top of wheel opening). Let the fun begin. __________________ John Fabris 67 C10 SWB

10-24-2012, 08:00 PM	#5
Mr Pops Ridin' Dirty Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Ardrossan Alberta Canada Posts: 2,193	Re: Question about centering rear axle in wheel opening on 4x4 burb or panel. I'm also doing a 4x4 conversion on my 68 Burb. I'm also converting the rear to leaf springs. My plan is to measure 127" from the center of the front hub to figure out my rear axle placement. __________________ 1978 C3500 Crewcab (Project) 1979 C2500 Crewcab (Driver/project) 1988 R2500 Crewcab (Driver) 1988 V3500 Crewcab 1988 R2500 Crewcab (Mint, Ex Fire Dept) 1968 Chev Suburban (4x4 conversion) LINK 1970 Chev C20 Suburban (driver/cruiser)LINK 2005 Impala (Incognito vehicle) 2004 Yukon XL Denali (Kid hauler) 1947 Case tractor Facebook Page(1000's of pictures of GM cars and trucks organized into albums) YouTube Channel

10-25-2012, 10:15 PM	#6
boostat4500 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 346	Re: Question about centering rear axle in wheel opening on 4x4 burb or panel. When I swapped a 14 bolt into my burb I used spring perches with offset pin holes to move the axle back 1". I also did the same thing on the front with a zero rate block welded to the perch. This picture is old and not quite straight on, but you can see how the tires are much closer to centered than stock. __________________ 1971 Suburban 4x4, LQ4 6.0L, 4L80E, etc.



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