A related question: how much does the rear end height seem change the looks
of the front wheelwell? Sitting here thinking about it, a higher rear end
would angle the top of the front wheel-well, which (I think) would give the
illusion of moving the wheel even farther back in the well. With a level
(but still lowered) stance, you might be able to get away with a stock
fore/aft wheel position a bit lower...
Ryan.
-----Original Message-----
From: J Forbes [mailto:jforbes@primenet.com]
Sent: Sunday, December 10, 2000 10:37 AM
To: Old Trucks List
Subject: [oletrucks] Lowering a 59, wheel/fender fit
Hi...
I did a bit more tinkering with my 57 Suburban (which will look
like a 59 when I'm done with it, as I'm swapping front
sheetmetal from a 59 onto it to make it look like my other
trucks).
I put a Camaro subframe on the "new" frame I'm building. I set
the height so that the back of the front fenders will be about 7
or 8" from the ground, which is several inches lower than stock,
but not in the weeds (it's gonna be a driver, tow vehicle, etc).
I've heard horror stories about folks lowering their TF trucks
several inches, and having the front wheels look like they're
too far back. I didn't plan for this when I put in the
subframe, it's at the stock wheelbase.
Yesterday, I got around to seeing how things fit on the chassis
(the body is nowhere near ready to put on it yet). I bolted on
the radiator support, and discovered that the stock radiator
will clear the power steering box, but the heavy duty (as used
in 1 tons) radiator would hit. I also trimmed the left inner
fender to fit over the susupension...had to take quite a bit out
of it. I then bolted on the left front fender, to see how it
would look. I took a pic of it at what I think is the correct
ride height, with a tire that's pretty close to the size I'll
run.
http://www.primenet.com/~jforbes/
I guess it'll work ok. If I were going to lower it any more,
I'd have to fix it, but I think it's close enough that no one
will notice. Opinions?
Jim Forbes
59s in AZ
ps if you follow the link on that page to my "57 Chevy Suburban"
page, you'll see a shot of the front of the chassis from the
other side...you can see the inner fender, brake master cylinder
adapter/pedal, etc.
oletrucks is devoted to Chevy and GM trucks built between 1941 and 1959
oletrucks is devoted to Chevy and GM trucks built between 1941 and 1959
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