The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Track width

I've got an old 50 3100 pick-up lying aroung and I'm thinking of building a street/rat rod type thing out of it for my wife. She would really like to join in the fun, but it needs to be more user friendly. Don't worry, it's no cream puff, engines locked up, body parts missing, etc., etc. What I want to know without having to crawl under this thing out in the field is, how wide are the axles from outside drum to outside drum? I'm looking at a V-8 equipped mid 70's Nova as a drivetrain/suspension donor and wonder if it's narrow enough to fit under the 3100. Narrower would be O.K. but not wider. I don't like the "tires out past the fenders" look. Anyone got there old diff's available for a quick measurement?
Thanks,
Scott

Scott, According to the Chevrolet Truck Data Book I picked up from Chevy Duty, it is 59&9/16, center to center on the front tread.

Remind me to show you the book sometime. I have heard that Novas, Camaros and the smaller Monte Carlos make good donors for rear axles and front frame clips.

Your Nova donor sounds perfect.

I was told (by someone who claimed to have done it) that the Nova rear (up to '78) leaf spring perches are perfectly spaced to fit our ADs.

Turn the springs around to center the wheels in the wheelwells, and GO.

I have not confirmed this yet, but I trusted his word enough to buy a rear set up for a Nova. It's sitting in my garage, waiting for me to get the frame stripped and powdercoated. Just haven't got to it yet.

If you get it installed before I do, could you let us know "for sure"?

Hope this helps.
mark.
'51 KY 3100

My 54 is 62 1/4" mounting surface to mounting surface.