Narrowing a b body rear end 1965 coronet

[brucedl]

Does any one know how much you can narrow the rear end and still use the stock spring locations and not cut the wheel wheels.
This would make it easier to get a bigger tire on car, and I would like to put the largest tire on that won't rub. I am sure there are some differences in the actual size of the wheel well from car to car given the some what loose tolerances of the time.

One guy we know put an a body rear end in his 63 plymouth. The mounts are spaced at 43" on the a body and 44" on the b body. The width of the a body rear is about 2" narrower give or take a fraction of an inch.
I was thinking this might be a possibility since I want to have a new one built to "a" body width and b body mount width.

Thanks for the help.

Bruce

 

[aldal]

Without moving the springs or mini tubbing if you change the backspacing of your wheels you can get the widest tire without narrowing the rearend.

 

[5.7 hemi]

I narrowed a 68 b body rear 3/4's on each side and stuffed it in.

 

[badmopar67]

I did it on my 67 so I can get the deepest dish rim I could it just take some measuring the spring perches
can be cut off and relocated then if you want to narrow your rear not a problem I measured from my spring to my tire and cut off whatever I needed to make it three-quarter inch gap left. Cut off my spring perches cut the axle right in the center of where the spring perch was then took the rest off the outside pieces I cut off welded the axle back together and then welded the spring perches back on The main axle in the same spot that they were so would stay lined up with the spring and bridged over the cut in the axle which makes it very strong. Do one side at a time so you can use the other Spring perch that you didn't cut off as a guide to weld The other spring perch at the same angle as it was stock. I used sawhorses I also bought Yukon chop axles because it wasn't enough spline left on my stock ones. You can only cut off enough that when you put your spring perches on they don't sit on the bearing housing on the outside of your axles. Which will amount to about three quarters of an inch narrower on each side or a little more

 

[wedge5]

Why shorten the rear end? Do the in board spring kit. You will be able to fit a 15x10 w/6.5" bs rim with a 29 x 10.5W tire under the car without any clearance issues. I believe SuperStockRacer has 30x10.5W under his many 62-65 B bodies. Maybe he will weigh in also.

 

[badmopar67]

Does any one know how much you can narrow the rear end and still (((- use the stock spring locations and not cut the wheel wheels.-)))
This would make it easier to get a bigger tire on car, and I would like to put the largest tire on that won't rub. I am sure there are some differences in the actual size of the wheel well from car to car given the some what loose tolerances of the time.
One guy we know put an a body rear end in his 63 plymouth. The mounts are spaced at 43" on the a body and 44" on the b body. The width of the a body rear is about 2" narrower give or take a fraction of an inch.
I was thinking this might be a possibility since I want to have a new one built to "a" body width and b body mount width.

Thanks for the help
bruce

-------------------------------------------------------
I think he said ((- use the stock spring locations and not cut the wheel wells- ))

 

[brucedl]

Yes, that was what I was saying. Maybe it got lost in all my ramblings.
I contacted DR Diff and here is what he had to say in his e-mail reply.

"Hi Bruce,

52.25" is the narrowest housing I recommend for 44" spring perch dimension.


Otherwise, the brake backing plates may hit the springs. In addition, you must install narrow housing ends and you must also watch the backspacing on your wheels.


I can provide what you need:


New bolt-in 35 spline S-60/Dana 60 assy $1875
Upgrade to Detroit Locker $370


Thanks,


Cass (406)883-4772 10-6 Mountain Time, M-F"

I was pleseantly surprised at how fast he got back to me.

Bruce

 

[wedge5]

Who said anything about cutting wheel wells?

 

[Cranky]

Sure sounds like an expensive proposition just to get wider meats under it especially if you don't want to move the springs. Custom made wheels would be a lot cheaper to get there from here imo. What rear do you have under it now? If you're going for a rear end change to a 60, then go for one that's narrower. You can always move the springs later if needed too.