Hi Bill,
I did not realize yours had the independent front, all that RV over it makes it hard to see.. And to think I was so close, and missed looking at one.
Seth has some info on the way, so unless you just want to crawl under your RV and take a peek, no need for measurements quite yet, and I doubt you can get any meaningful pictures with the RV in the way, it's not the tilt cab model is it? It does have all the other bells and whistles right? but no tilt cab??
Looks like wheel mounting surface to wheel mounting surface is about 97", and frame outside to frame outside is the standard 34" for big trucks.
All this info, so readily offered, means I may have to do something with this sooner than I thought..
The big problem will be finding a front axle assembly at a good price, as I bet it cost a bunch if ordered as an assembly form the Freightliner dealer, and if the 1997 or newer model is the one to have, because they use standard bolt pattern truck wheels, then a used/wreck will be hard to find too.
Apparently the older ones had a larger bolt circle on the front wheels, not sure what the measurements are, but traditionally busses can have an extra large bolt circle, and wheels are more expensive/harder to find, as this is just a bus thing. Another possible reason for the different bolt circle is the axle is European design, (and perhaps construction?) they may primarily use a different bolt circle than we use on trucks over here?
About being crazy, numerous times I have had people at truck shows question my sanity, It usually starts with "how did you get disc brakes under there"
My reply "I used an axle from a newer truck"
Them "But new axles are to wide right?"
Me "Yes, but they can be narrowed..."
Them "you must be crazy, I hope I never see you on the road!" :mad:
I have successfully put about 20,000 combined miles on the two axles I narrowed, from the beginning I had no doubts it would work.
This air sprung independent axle is interesting,
I'm headed to the shop with a tape measure
Grigg
