The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop My 37 is coming apart

To put in the 5 speed and modern rear end,its up in the air and I will soon be yanking the original rear end and trans out so i can get this truck ready to cruise at highway speeds. What is my main concern is getting the rear wheel centered in the fender as it seemed to be a little forward,I have heard about reversing the springs so the center bolt will be in the right spot so the wheel will be centered. A local rod shop used to sell perches with multiple holes but they are no longer in buisness and I dont know anyone else that sells them,I thought about getting new springs with the center bolt back a little but my springs are still good. I need for someone who has put in a modern rear in a 37 to tell me what I need to do. Jeff

Jeff you won't have any trouble finding ? suggestions ?
On my 38 it was suggested to buy 1/2 in x 1 3/4 in wide iron, drill 1/2 in holes about an inch apart to fit over the spring center bolt. Buy new center spring bolts to weld in the hole to make it center and fit in the perch. It will have an effect as a lowering block. In this way you could custom adjust your center line.
Just one way.

Jeff:
When I started my trek I bought a library full of reference books (10 or 12) and one book discussed this issue. I will check and see if I can find that book.

Just re-drill the axle pads or add a adapter pad like Gene suggested. Don't make anything permanent till the bed and fenders are on and mounted. Don't buy a drive shaft till you get the axle in place. I had my drive shaft made and axle mounted before installing the fenders. After I figured out it looked bad not being centered, I cut about 1" off the end of the running board so the fenders could move forward. After 6 years, no one has ever noticed and since the bed was new there are no extra holes. Joe

I am leaving all the fenders on the truck while I change the trans and rear end,I am going to buy some new perches so I could redrill them to move it back. I still have not decided what rear end I am going to use,I have a Ford 8 inch and a S10 4X4 rear but the S10 rear is close to the width of the original but I want one atleast 2 inches narrower since the wheels stick out at the edge of the fenders and need to go back in some. I picked up a front axle with disc brakes so I would like to use the S10 rear but the 8 inch would fit better,I originally wanted to use a Ford bolt pattern since I could switch wheels with a few Ford products I have so it looks like the rotors wil be redrilled. I have all winter to do this so I will figure something out. Jeff

The originals are slightly forward in the opening and it looks ok that way, so don't try to exactly center it. Just take up the difference between the axle center and the spring pin.

I finished my change out just about a year ago and didn't have to move anything! It all fit in just perfect. The 37 rear end is not mounted like the 47-54 rear ends. The pin is in the center of the springs like the 49-54 car rear end, so all you do is make the change and center side to side. I used a 55 car rear end. Check the pictures on my site, especially the one of the rear wheel and notice. It is almost perfectly centered in the fender opening.

Joe

That 8" Ford is almost as strong as its cousin the 9". That would be my choice all things being equal. However if you plan on keeping the 235 it won't make any difference. BTW great looking truck you have there. That sure is a big tool box in there.