[justsomeguy]

Moving leaf spring mounts on 66

Can you move the front and rear leaf spring mounts inward, narrow the rearend and widen the inner wheel wheels to make room for wider tires on a 66.
Would I want to?
How close together can you put leaf springs so they will still do their job correctly?

 

[SLEEPER]

I dont know what year you are asking about but for a 3rd gen you can do the following:
DSE rear tubs or add 3" to your old ones.
Notch the frame while doing the tubs
DSE or similar offset rear hangers.
Move the leaf spring mounts on the rearend.
This will fit about a 12.5 section width tire.

You can also relocate the front hangers with weld in subframe connectors but you really dont have to unless you want bigger tires than 12.5

 

[thmpsn70]

ive done this a few times, the easiest way to do it IMO is to buy about 1 foot of 4x4x.13(1/8") square tubing and cut 2 4"x4"boxes out of it.To make a new front spring mount and weld it to the frame in the same location as the factory spring mount ,if you brace the tops of the box with 1/8th" plate it will resemble th c/emount on their weld in subframe extensions (because they don't connect anything).pay attention to your mounting welds and consider the amount of strength you need beause when youapply the brakes the spring wants to pull down on the mount. I will be using this method again in a few weeks on a 66 wagon and will try to get some pics.

 

[chassisguy]

just did this exact same thing on my 66... i used Jegs part # 2032 to move the rear of the springs inward, then i used 1/4 thick plate to make boxes for the front of the springs then i gusseted the "spring box" back to the sub frame connectors. Fabricated my own wheel tubs that go all the way to the frame. got a 15x10 with a 29.5x10.5w slick to fit.

 

[justsomeguy]

Pics

Thanks, Do you have any pics that you could send that show your installation. It sounds like that is exactly what I have in mind, Thanks again

 

[62civa]

PM me with your mailing address and I will send you a full size drawing of the 4" square steel tube mounts I made for my 62. I drew it in Autocad, so I just print it out on my plotter and mail a copy to you.
Ron

 

[Smittys62]

I want this info also. are there going to be pics posted on this thread? ics:

 

[justsomeguy]

PM Sent !!!!!!

 

[62civa]

PM Sent !!!!!!

Blueprint mailed to you. PM me if you have any questions about the drawing.
Ron

 

[62civa]

Here are some photos of the mounts I made for my 62. They are made from 4" square steel tubing (0.125" wall thickness) I have a Autocad print of the drawing for the mounts. I am going to try and turn the Autocad drawing into a PDF for those of you who want to down load it. I have mailed out about 5 or 6 copies of this print to various members here at Steve's during the last year. These mounts re-locate the springs inward about 1.5". You can also modify the cutout for the frame rail to move the springs further inward if that is what you want. Note: The photos only show the mounts tack welded into place. I welded them all the way around both the inside and outside edges were they meet up against the frame rail.
Ron

 

[Smittys62]

This looks awesome!:yes:! I assume this will work for my 62 as the underneath look very similar?? What size tire did this accommodate and what do you do for the rear of the leaf? Oh and with just this modification (no wheel well mod) can you get a 255 tire in there? I have 235s and they rub on occasion. Thx!!

 

[62civa]

I minitubbed the car as well as moved the rear end of the leafs inward and used sliders for mounts. I have a 275/50-15 BF Goodrich Drag Radial and it fits nice. Here is my photobucket account. www.photobucket.com/albums/c231/62civa If you go there and look along the left side of the page, you will see several folders such as "minitub" "engine" etc. Feel free to take a a look.
Ron

 

[Smittys62]

Very nice!!! When can I bring my 62 over for a rear-end upgrade??? Beautiful car :yes:

 

[thmpsn70]

GOOD PICS 62civa,,close to what I was talking about, very close

 

[Smittys62]

Quick question.,.,.,.,without doing the minitub and just moving the springs inward, what is the largest tire that will fit. Also what would be the correct backspace to utilize and the stock wheel well opening? Thx Smitty

 

[62civa]

This is just a guess....maybe a 225-60-15???
Ron

 

[Smittys62]

Okay, well I have 235s on mine now with everything stock. there is at least 1.5 to two inches of room on the inside of my tires. I guess moving the springs inward does nothing without mini tubing??? bummer, i thought it was to good to be true

 

[62civa]

You need to find a wheel with more backspacing.
Ron

 

[thmpsn70]

smity, measure from your 235 to the leaf spring and with the configuration that 62civa sent you can add 1.5 inches to that then measure from you 235 to the inner wheel house if you have 1.5 inches there as well you can get an extra 1.5 inch of tire clearancetuse use at your disposal, it does do something but is an extra 1.5 inches worth the work??? some say yes

 

[acd65post]

:yes:

smity, measure from your 235 to the leaf spring and with the configuration that 62civa sent you can add 1.5 inches to that then measure from you 235 to the inner wheel house if you have 1.5 inches there as well you can get an extra 1.5 inch of tire clearancetuse use at your disposal, it does do something but is an extra 1.5 inches worth the work??? some say yes

This is what I have been debating in my little head for some time now:turn:
It would be neat to see some pics of first gens from the rear with 235's or what have you and then pics and tire sizes of cars that have been mini tubbed.
I for one would like to see the difference in pictures. You know what they say a picture is woth a 1000 words.
In my case I am not looking for traction but I want my car to have a good looking rear wheel/width.

My buddy in Florida has a 65 with a 500h.p. 383 with the stock wheel wells. He runs Mickey Thompson e/t tires. Not sure of the actual tire size. He runs caltrac and the car hooks very well.
Sorry for jumping in and being long winded