A question about rear ends

[Zandoz]

From what I've gathered it seems like 56 to 58 inches wide is the popular standard for T bucket rear axles. Is there some logic behind this that is escaping me? I'm wanting to set the bucket body as far back as possible, with the rear few inches between the wheels/tires...and that is going to take a wider axle. Is this likely to create problems? What width axles have others used for this kind of setup?

 

[putz]

Here is a link to different rearend widths http://carnut.com/specs/frear.html

 

[2old2fast]

Be sure & consider your tire/wheel combo & wheel offset.

dave

 

[tfeverfred]

S-10 rearend is the perfect size. 58" wheel plate to wheel plate.

 

[EX JUNK]

I used the 2WD S10 which has a 54.25" wheel to wheel. The 4WD is 4" wider.

Jim

 

[vand]

I used a Ford explorer/ranger rear axle. You have to use what ever works best for your situation. There are no hard and fast rules, just what looks right to you.

 

[tfeverfred]

Here's a link to most rearend widths.

http://www.carnut.com/specs/rear.html

 

[Zandoz]

Thanks for the replies, folks. It sounds like should be OK going wider to be able to tuck the bucket as far back as I can. I just wanted to be sure I was not going to end up with a problematic or dangerous suspension geometry.

 

[Dirt-T]

Take the width of your body add the amount of Clarence for tire next measure from wheel mount surface to inside of tire double that number and that is the wheel mounting surface to wheel mounting surface this is the minimum rear end width.

 

[2old2fast]

How wide is a "Clarence" ? Is he a fat guy?? ...

dave

 

[Youngster]

Carefull moving the body "back as far as you can". I like to set my chassis' up so the back of the tires are even with the back of the box (20" bed). Gives the car a nice balenced look.

Ron

 

[Zandoz]

Take the width of your body add the amount of Clarence for tire next measure from wheel mount surface to inside of tire double that number and that is the wheel mounting surface to wheel mounting surface this is the minimum rear end width.

What is a good body to tire clearance for a radius rod and model A spring rear suspension?

 

[Zandoz]

Carefull moving the body "back as far as you can". I like to set my chassis' up so the back of the tires are even with the back of the box (20" bed). Gives the car a nice balenced look.

Ron

I'm not planning on a bed for the back. Planning on a Model T oval tank back there. Also planning on a sub 100" wheelbase, with a stretched '23 or '27 bucket, so I need the body as far back as possible.

 

[RPM]

A little bit of warning here on rear end width. If you get the rear end too wide and very wide tires on the back. You can't get the car in a enclosed trailer, or maybe even on and open trailer. We bought a T Bucket a year or so ago and it was like that, way too wide to even load up to haul anywhere.

 

[Zandoz]

A little bit of warning here on rear end width. If you get the rear end too wide and very wide tires on the back. You can't get the car in a enclosed trailer, or maybe even on and open trailer. We bought a T Bucket a year or so ago and it was like that, way too wide to even load up to haul anywhere.

I do not think I'm going to run into a problem. Right now it looks like I'm going to need a rear end 54" wide, plus what ever I decide on for a gap between the tires and body. I'm planning on going for an "old school" look, so the wheels/tires would not be that wide. I based that 54" figure on a 11" section width tire, on a 9" rim with 2.5" backspace.

This is an example of the look I'm hoping for:

 

[donsrods]

This picture may give you some perspective of how a 54 inch S10 rear fit under my old 23. This is an early on construction shot and the car had very deeply reversed 8 inch rear wheels. From the sounds of it , your build will be similar, so this might help you figure out what rear will fit best for you.

Don

 

[Zandoz]

This picture may give you some perspective of how a 54 inch S10 rear fit under my old 23. This is an early on construction shot and the car had very deeply reversed 8 inch rear wheels. From the sounds of it , your build will be similar, so this might help you figure out what rear will fit best for you.

Don

Yes, that is the look I'm going for. Is that a standard width body? How much space between the tires and the body? Am I right that the S10s are 54" wide?

I'm hoping to go with a '27 bucket similar to Wintec's, to get a bit more room. The '27s are typically 2-3" wider than a '23. Right now I'm leaning toward an Explorer 8.8 rear, which are 59.5" wide. They seem to be plentiful and reasonably priced (compared to Ford 9"ers).