How do I choose a rear

[paulk68]

I am building a 68 camaro that has been mini tubbed and I have the ridetch 4 link to bolt in place. I am thinking of going with a moser 12 bolt much like the 48 hour camaro build. do i need to take specific measurements to place the order f0r the rear? or can i just tell them i need a shortened rear to fit the minitubs? I will be going with 18" wheels and Baer brakes. Also I am thinking i will be safe with 3:73 gears. I plan to run a t-56 with around 550 hp. Any help woul dbe much appreciated
Thanks

[tubbed69]

I am building a 68 camaro that has been mini tubbed and I have the ridetch 4 link to bolt in place. I am thinking of going with a moser 12 bolt much like the 48 hour camaro build. do i need to take specific measurements to place the order f0r the rear? or can i just tell them i need a shortened rear to fit the minitubs? I will be going with 18" wheels and Baer brakes. Also I am thinking i will be safe with 3:73 gears. I plan to run a t-56 with around 550 hp. Any help woul dbe much appreciated
Thanks

I put a Mosier in one for a friend recently with the Ridetech Airbar and we went with 18x12 wheels w/5.25 bs.In the 69s the brackets that you weld for the lower bars was right at the edge against housing ends,so I would try to get a measurement on a rear with at least 6" backspacing on wheels.Ridetech has some nice products.If I can find my total rearend width I will send it to you.

[ADiCarlo]

From what I've read DSE provides a 54.75 narrow axle for a mini tub set up just for a general number.

But realistically it's best to find your wheel setup first so you can determine the backspacing and tailor the rear axle to the wheel.

Did you have a specific wheel set in mind?

[paulk68]

From what I've read DSE provides a 54.75 narrow axle for a mini tub set up just for a general number.

But realistically it's best to find your wheel setup first so you can determine the backspacing and tailor the rear axle to the wheel.

Did you have a specific wheel set in mind?

Thanks that is a good starting number, I would like to run a 18x12 for the rear gonna probably be looking at either Forgeline or Formula 43 fpor my wheels if that helps

[Chicken Louie]

I have just gone through this.

Order the wheels you want. Put them under the car the way you like them and measure.

The 54.75 is close but it will depend on backspacing and the brake package.

Spending that much money I wanted to look right.
67-68 are different then 69s. There are a lot of numbers on the internet but every car is slightly different.

[Musclerodz]

Thanks that is a good starting number, I would like to run a 18x12 for the rear gonna probably be looking at either Forgeline or Formula 43 fpor my wheels if that helps

If you do not have the wheels then you can spec what ever rear width you want and then order the wheels with correct backspace. Ridetech can tell you the narrowest the rear can be. 54.75 is a good number and will run somewhere around a 5.5 to 6" backspace depending on the car.

[hud697]

There's a lot of variables to the "right" width. Personally, I get the wheels and tires I'm going to use, set them up in the fender wells where I want them (in and out, up and down) then measure wheel mount surface to wheel mount surface, then subtract the thickness (at mounting flange) of the brakes I am using from each side to get your overall width. Always worked out for me.

[paulk68]

so for the guys buying their wheels first, what backspacing are you ordering for your wheels?

[tubbed69]

alot of guys run around 5.5bs thats the standard size that DSE uses on the rearends that they sell,I have 5.25bs on mine if you want to get an idea for looks.

[TheJDMan]

so for the guys buying their wheels first, what backspacing are you ordering for your wheels?

5.5" to 6" is pretty common backspace and gives a nice deep look on the outside. You need to purchase the wheels you will use first and mock them up in the wheel wells to determine the wheel mount surface to wheel mount surface width of the rear end. The 54.75" mentioned earlier is most likely a housing flange measurement and has nothing to do with the WMS to WMS measurement. Do NOT leave this measurement to someone else you need to determine WMS to WMS for your car.

Read this thread and educate yourself about how to measure rear axle width before you order anything.

http://www.lateral-g.net/forums/showthread.php4?t=38663&highlight=WMS

[DEIGuy38]

On my 68 the rearend is 56" Rotor Hat to Rotor Hat Outside. My Forgelines are 18x11 with 5.5 BS. It is tight to put a 18x12 with 335 on a 68. A few guys run an 18x11.5 with 335 just to be safe. You better measure a few times. Every car is different so you need to measure your car. Here is a cell pic of my car

[paulk68]

On my 68 the rearend is 56" Rotor Hat to Rotor Hat Outside. My Forgelines are 18x11 with 5.5 BS. It is tight to put a 18x12 with 335 on a 68. A few guys run an 18x11.5 with 335 just to be safe. You better measure a few times. Every car is different so you need to measure your car. Here is a cell pic of my car

Thanks, So my question is did you order your wheels first or your rear end?

[TheJDMan]

Thanks, So my question is did you order your wheels first or your rear end?

I ordered my wheels/tires first. My rear end width is 57" WMS to WMS the wheels are 18x12 335s with 5.9" back space. Here are a couple of pics. Guy's rear end is 56" so hopefully you can start to see that each build is different which is why you need to make your own measurements on your car with your wheels.

http://hayes-ent.com/steve/images/Camaro/Camaro1.jpg

http://hayes-ent.com/steve/images/Camaro/CAMARO2.jpg

[paulk68]

I ordered my wheels/tires first. My rear end width is 57" WMS to WMS the wheels are 18x12 335s with 5.9" back space. Here are a couple of pics. Guy's rear end is 56" so hopefully you can start to see that each build is different which is why you need to make your own measurements on your car with your wheels.

http://hayes-ent.com/steve/images/Camaro/Camaro1.jpg

http://hayes-ent.com/steve/images/Camaro/CAMARO2.jpg

I love your car, so you ordered you wheels first what made you pick 5.9 for your backspacing. most people say 5.5 or 6. I also had someone suggest 6.25for rears. thanks for all the help

[DEIGuy38]

Thanks, So my question is did you order your wheels first or your rear end?

I ordered my wheels first. Mocked them up, hung string from the quarters and measured wheel to wheel about 10 times to make sure. Had my chevy rear narrowed and installed ford ends with bolt in axles. I will PM you my number in case you have any questions. Like JDMan said each car is different, I talked to him and a few others prior to narrowing my rearend. You have to decide how much lip you want on your rear wheels and the distance from the inside quarter lip and if you are trimmimg the lip. I am wierd (anal/paticular/OCD call it what you want) but I wanted a step lip portion of the wheel to be the same measurement as the flat portion of the wheel. That is how I came up with my backspace dimension. See attached image, the blue line and the red line are approximately the same dimension, about 2-1/8" each. I believe you can change the center spacing in 1/2" increments.

Guy