68 plymouth, I moved my rear axle.

[dana44]

So I'm still building the car, I bought shackles to get the stance I wanted and was still not happy with the results. Shackles were maxed out and the leafs showed there age.

So I ordered new springs, also changed from a 295 50r15 to a 275 60r15 for more side wall. (Rims are 15x10 with 4 1/4 bs)

So now on my third delema, the rear axle seems to far forward.

I look online and found brackets that moves back 2", but 2" is a bit extreme the other way. So I decided to modify the original front leaf spring brackets. The end result was decided to move it 3/4 of an inch. I originally wanted to do 1" but the C Chanel I had was 3/4" and I think the end result was perfect.

Grade 8 bolts welded on the back.

End result

Feel free to comment

 

[pnora]

Its your car so if thats the way you decided to do it its your choice. Myself I would of never spaced the mounting back or use long shackles. I would of bought the correct springs. Thats my opinion.

 

[RemCharger]

As you move your axle back, you're also pulling the driveshaft out of the Trans.

 

[dana44]

The springs I ordered didn't move the axle from the factory location, the rear axle seemed to be factory a tad closer towards the front. Alot of manufacturers do that to accommodate the swing shackles I did take that in consideration.

The drive shaft is not an issue since I the one I have is already to long and I will be modifying that too.

 

[PurpleBeeper]

and I bet your pinion is big-time nose-down now, correct?

 

[Fran Blacker]

You probably could have used 68 Dodge hangers to move front hangers back 1". Think Dodge front hangers have the bolt hole 1" farther back. Those long shackles look retro but hurt handling, your choice your car.

 

[Sahara]

I like the stance. I guess I’m old school but I really like the high butt look on these cars. The current fad of huge rims, skinny elastic band tires and slammed on the ground does nothing for me. I would have changed the springs first, though.

 

[dana44]

You probably could have used 68 Dodge hangers to move front hangers back 1". Think Dodge front hangers have the bolt hole 1" farther back. Those long shackles look retro but hurt handling, your choice your car.

That's why I ended up buying springs. The shackles got moved back up to the lowest setting. Wishing I new that before spending the the time modifying the brackets.

 

[dana44]

and I bet your pinion is big-time nose-down now, correct?

I've been building jeeps and doing axle swaps and suspension work for years, pinion angle is 6 degrees

 

[dadsbee]

You probably could have used 68 Dodge hangers to move front hangers back 1". Think Dodge front hangers have the bolt hole 1" farther back. Those long shackles look retro but hurt handling, your choice your car.

Yep, Dodge front hangers are 1" longer (rearward) than Plymouths.

 

[PlymCrazy]

The centering of the rear axle looks way better than when you started. Good job there. Definitely do what you must to lose the shackles. I think they take away from the look you're trying to achieve. At least from what I understood in your initial introduction a week or two ago. I really do like that car man.

 

[33 IMP]

The axle is moved back an inch in my 62. More room for tall tires, and much better centered in the wheel opening. SS springs, just redrilled the ss spring hanger. Driveshaft length is fine, the shocks are closer but clear, slightly increased angle of the shackles, but in the right direction.
I would certainly do it again.

 

[skicker]

Moved mine back 3/4" 12 years ago to fit these 30" tall 17" tires...
Fix the wheel offset and you can lower it down some...

 

[gkent]

I'm thinking you might have overextended the shocks.

 

[gkent]

Fix the wheel offset and you can lower it down some

Doesn't sound like he wants to !!!

 

[Black_Sheep]

Putting some weight on the springs will flatten them out and make the front segment longer. Your car looks mostly gutted, I would avoid messing with the stance until it’s nearly complete. It will change a lot, especially with tired old springs…

 

[Kern Dog]

With compression of the springs when the car goes down the road, the axle moves rearward.
I like the look of the centered wheel. I like the old school look but not for my own cars.

 

[moparedtn]

1968 GTX 440 4 speed. All stock suspension. 275/60/15 on rear.

 

[dana44]

I'm thinking you might have overextended the shocks.

There is no shocks in the car at the moment.

 

[dana44]

View attachment 1384554
1968 GTX 440 4 speed. All stock suspension. 275/60/15 on rear.

Same size 275 60r15 I just prefer this stance.