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Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 19
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New Guy
New Guy
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Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 19
I've got a 1938 Chevrolet 1/2 ton pickup with a S10 rear end, leaf springs and shocks. I do have wider than stock rear wheels/tires. Runs great on level ground, but when turning either direction over uneven ground, the rear tires rub on the pickup bed sides. There's about a finger width's clearance between the tires and bed sides while sitting level. If I jack up one side (or the other) of the rear end the tire tilt's in and touches the bed side. Would installing a rear sway bar help the situation?

Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,096
D
'Bolter
'Bolter
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Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,096
Adding a sway bar will stiffen the ride.

Changing the wheels to a different offset will give better clearance.

Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 19
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New Guy
New Guy
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Posts: 19
Unfortunately, the rear fenders won't allow me to move the rear wheels/tires out for additional clearance.

Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,429
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'Bolter
'Bolter
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Posts: 1,429
What size tires are you running? Not a '38, but I've run 255 15s on my '40. They would just touch the bedside with a load and bumping one side up like when pulling into my driveway. I've since gone down a bit to 245's and no rubbing.

Dennis


40 Chevy 1/2 ton
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 19
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New Guy
New Guy
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Running 235/50R17's,

Joined: Feb 2004
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Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer)
Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer)
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 28,674
What's thre reason for the wide tires? Even a little standing water in a rainstorm will have the rear end of a vehicle that lightweight hydroplaning like Miss Budweiser at any normal highway speed.
Jerry


"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln
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Joined: Feb 2000
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'Bolter
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Fiberglass rear fenders, 2" wider then stock, problem solved!
Attachments
37 pictures 054.jpg (143.98 KB, 79 downloads)
37 pictures 059.jpg (144.54 KB, 83 downloads)
truck pictures 072.jpg (128.19 KB, 82 downloads)
37 pictures 057.jpg (136.42 KB, 79 downloads)

Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 103
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'Bolter
'Bolter
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Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 103
That’s a great looking truck!


1938 Chevy 1/2-ton
More info in the Gallery Forum
She looks good at 50 yards, and 35 miles per hour, on a dark night.
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,096
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'Bolter
'Bolter
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Steveo325 , I have 245/75.16 on the rear of my '40, there is a good 2 fingers width clearance inside the tyre, and, although it is close to the guard , there is never any rubbing, I'm not sure what the issue is , oh, wait , the '38 has a narrower deck ?? pulls the guards in , not enough room for the wides? (I built my deck 4ft wide) pic attached.
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Feb 2014 007.jpg (347.79 KB, 62 downloads)

Joined: Dec 2011
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New Guy
New Guy
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After some additional measuring, I believe wheels with less offset (as Dusty suggested) will fit.

Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 364
H
'Bolter
'Bolter
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Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 364
a panard bar controls side to side motion (i.e.: body side force on the springs) the longer the better, a sway bar controls body roll.

btw: that IS one great looking 37


Hank: 46 Chev 1/2ton shortbed
2023 Miata RF Club
Joined: Jun 2011
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E
Crusing in the Passing Lane
Crusing in the Passing Lane
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Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 5,096
4wd S-10’s rear axle is 2” wider than 2wd, do you know which you have?

Ed


'37 GMC T-18 w/ DD 4-53T, RTO-610, 6231 aux., '95 GMC running gear, full disc brakes, power steering, 22.5 wheels and tires.
'47 GMC 1 ton w/ 302, NP-540, 4wd, full width Blazer front axle.
'54 GMC 630 w/ 503 gasser, 5 speed, ex fire truck, shortened WB 4', install 8' bed.
'55 GMC 370 w/270, 420 4 speed, grain, dump bed truck from ND. Works OK.

Moderated by  Dusty53, SWEET 

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