Whats the max I can narrow this rearend?

[DRJDVM's '69]

Right now I have a stock rearend that I'm using for mock up etc. The plan is to get my tires and rims set up the way I want.... 20x12 with a 335 in the rear, shooting for about 4.5 inches of lip on the wheel.... then measure for my rearend after I get my rims and tires EXACTLY where I want them.

The plan is a custom Dana 60, big Torino bearing, Wilwood brakes......

So how much more narrow of a rearend do you think I could do and still have the clearence I need for the U-bolts, brackets, brakes etc etc?

I'm not planning on maxing out how narrow I could go.....only get a rough idea on how much I have to work with before I may run into issues. That will allow me to get my BS in the ballpark and then fine tune everything when I measure for the rearend. I've never done a custom rearend, so I dont want to pick a BS for the rims that will force me to go too short on the rearend width etc.

In the pix, from outside edge of axel flange to U-bolts is 8 inches...
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/IMG_3947.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/DRJDVM95/70%20Cuda%20Project%20Part%20II/IMG_3950.jpg

[Denvervet]

I purchased mine through Frank at Prodigy and he made the determination on how much to narrow based on his vast experience with minitubbing , wheel combos, etc. I think mine was about 2.5 " per side narrower. Mine was a 12 bolt but you can get Moser 60s too. I believe my lip will be about 5 inches.

[lil427z]

1.5 - 2 in.
rick k:thumbsup:

[ProdigyCustoms]

You can take it all the way down to 54 1/2" and get a 6" lip on the wheel if the wheel you want is available that way and have a little wiggle rom to shim it left to right as needed. The Wilwood brake kit is excellent for staying away from the suspension and frame rails, other brake brands can have major interference issues.

Keep in mind some 3 piece wheels have limited back spaces, usually within 3/10". So depending on the wheel your going to run, may depend on the exact width you make the rear. If it is a 2 piece wheel they can weld the center wherever you want it, but I doubt your doing a 2 piece 12" wheels

[ironworks]

Why not build a new link mount assembly that gets rid of the U bolts? Would sure clean things up and make more room.

Rodger

[DRJDVM's '69]

Dont forget this is on the 70 Cuda.....not a 1st gen Camaro.....so the actual numbers for overall width arent going to be the same. If it were a '69 Camaro I would be good to go since you guys have all done a ton of them and could tell me exactly what I need to do.

Thats why I'm just trying to get an idea on what I have to work with for my application.....its just to help me see where I can go from here. I'm not going to max out my ability to narrow it..... and I'm not looking for a 6 inch lip

Rodger......Air Ride does have some weld on brackets I plan to use on the actual Dane 60 I use. These are just the ones that came with the rear Air Bar and will work for now. They work but are big and bulky and the plates are already kinda bending upward :) The final set up will be cleaner and stronger for sure.

So basically I could probably go 2 inches more narrow if I really wanted to or had to ? Do you guys agree?

And Frank... I do plan on placing my order for the Dana 60 with you once I get this all done....

[wedged]

These are just the ones that came with the rear Air Bar and will work for now. They work but are big and bulky and the plates are already kinda bending upward :) The final set up will be cleaner and stronger for sure.

If the plates are bending, then you probably have over torqued the u-bolts and are also crushing the axle tube.

[DRJDVM's '69]

Why not build a new link mount assembly that gets rid of the U bolts? Would sure clean things up and make more room.

Rodger

So the weld on Air Ride brackets arent going to work.....I was told by Air Ride....unless I do a shorter link bar. On the standard Air Ride U-bolt type mount, the lower link is pretty much right under the axle tube....on the weld on it looks to be about 1.5 inches forward of that....

All the weld on mounts I can find online seem to be the same way......anyone out there have a source for lower mounts that would put the link right under the axle and still have a shock mount like the Air Ride?

The alternative is to do the weld on mounts and get a shorter link bar....which I may do.

[GregWeld]

Ned --

Check out Hortons Welders Series -- they have lots of brackets and "stuff" that might help you fab your own set up.

[DRJDVM's '69]

Yeah I looked at them but the brackets look pretty similar to what Air Ride has....