The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline Chevy AD Rear Axle Placement

You mean where the axle is or the black line is? The black line is the stock location so yes, it's a bit forward.

And I can't weld on the perches or set the pinion til the cab is on and I can mock up about another 600 lbs (fuel, bed wood, people in the cab).

This might be helpful, specs for the 53 truck:

http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/chevyresto/53060.htm

As you can see the wheel is a bit forward in the rear fender. I don't think you want it any more forward than stock. The measurements might make sense and be helpful. You are correct about the perch and pinion angle, you need to have the frame loaded. Hopeful the picture will be helpful. Let us know how it goes.

That is a lot of help. The axle could definitely be moved back some without it being a big deal (might even look better).

I can't tell if that 36 1/2" measurement is axle to bumper or axle to rear of frame though.

I put a 12 bolt rear end in my 50 and used the weld-on spring perches from ClassicParts.com, and used the hole located near the end of the perch (as opposed to the center hole) on the head of the leaf spring retaining bolt, and it located the axle exactly 116" from the front axle.
Carl

Carl - which hole? The one towards the front of the truck/perch or the back?

There are 2 holes in it. One is in the center and one is near the edge. I welded the perches to the axle so that the hole located on the edge is nearest the front of the truck and placed the leaf spring allen head bolt in that edge hole. It is kind of hard to wrap your head around because the original axle had an off-center rubber mount, and the factory springs are not bolted together in the center (front-to-back).
Carl