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Jul 21st, 2025 | | | | Joined: Jul 2002 Posts: 20 Junior Member | | Junior Member Joined: Jul 2002 Posts: 20 | I'm getting ready to put a GM rear open rear axle with camaro leaf springs under the rear of my 50 1/2 ton. How much should I move the axle to get the tire centered in the wheel well? It looks like about 3/4" back, but I have measured 3 or4 wheel bases on modified trucks that all look centered and lowered and have measured 116.5,117.5,119.5(prostreet)& 114. Stock is 116, what gives? If they all start out at 116 how can all look centered? The front should be all in same location. Sould I just set it close and wait until I get the bed back on? Think the factory set up varied in the wheel well that much? Thanks,
Roy | | | | | Joined: Apr 2002 Posts: 2,168 A teacher, but always an apprentice. | | A teacher, but always an apprentice. Joined: Apr 2002 Posts: 2,168 | Truckeroy, I have a 50 as well. The stock measurement is 116. I asked the same question a couple months ago, the reply said that you have to move it back about 1 to 1.5 inches. Don't worry nobody will even notice. | | | | | Joined: Jul 2002 Posts: 20 Junior Member | | Junior Member Joined: Jul 2002 Posts: 20 | Thanks for the reply. I just measured mine real close and it looks like moving it back 1" is about right. Thanks again.
Roy | | | | | Joined: Aug 2000 Posts: 346 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Aug 2000 Posts: 346 | truckeroy,
I think the major confusion over where to place the rear axle on 1/2 ton AD trucks comes from the spring center bolt being 1-3/4" forward of the axle center line in the stock configuration. The u-bolts hold a bracket containing a rubber bushing similar to the end of a leaf spring. A matching bracket is then welded to the front of the axle and a thru bolt clamps the bracket to both ends of the bushing.
When I first converted my '49 to a newer rear end, I made up a couple of saddles from 2" x 4" 1/8 wall steel tubing and just drilled the hole for the center bolt 1-3/4" forward of the axle center.
If you have a service manual, there is a picture of the rear spring seat in the rear axle section.
'38 Chevy 1-1/2 ton
'49 Chevy 1/2 ton
'54 Chevy 6400 2 ton
'55.2 GMC 3/4 ton
'56 GMC 1-ton
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| | | | | Joined: Jul 2002 Posts: 20 Junior Member | | Junior Member Joined: Jul 2002 Posts: 20 | thanks for the reply. I am putting a set of camaro springs under and moving the axle back approx 1" to 117" wb. This seems to be about right for my truck. | | | | | | Anonymous Unregistered | | Anonymous Unregistered | If you save the spring to axle brackets from an old torque tube rear end all you have to do is cut them off the old axle & weld them on to the new axle. Everthing lines up great then. | | |
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