The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk '38 chevy help

Hey guys-
I'm working on mocking up the rear suspension in my '38 1/2 ton. I have to work without a bed or fenders because mine are gone and I have no mula to come up with others right now. I was wondering if a kind soul could give me the measurement from the frame to the inside lip of the rear fender (both front and back of the wheel opening) so I can determine how wide I can go with my tires. Also, if you could provide the measurement of the top of the fender as compared to the top of the axle arch on the frame that would be awesome. I really appreciate any help you can give me, thanks in advance.
Eric

Search through this link.


http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/chevyresto/38index.htm

Just go to a dealer that sells beds and get the overall width. That will be inside width of fenders since they mount flush to the bed sides. Top of fender to tire is quite large, I doubt you could ever bottom one out, plus if you buy a new bed, you will have to drill your own mounting holes so you place the fender at any hight you want.

I will be in the garage today so I will measure mine, it might give you an idea of the size.

Joe

OK, on the '37, the bed is the same width as the rear most part of the frame. As the frame narrows toward the front, it is close to 2" narrower at the front spring hanger of the rear springs then the bed sides.

I am using a 1979 Trans Am/Camaro 10 bolt rear axle with stock 15x7 Chevy Ralley wheels. I believe the wheels have 3 1/2" offset toward the front, most common wheel available. With that in mind, I have 2 1/2" clearance on the inside, tire to bed side, and 1 1/4" to the outer lip of the fender with a 235/75R15 radial at 25psi. And again, my fenders are 2" wider then stock. With stock width fenders, my tires would not fit with this axle or wheel offset. From bed side to outer edge of tire is 13 1/2" and from frame to outer tire is 15 1/2" in front and 13 1/2" at the rear.

Tire to top of fender is about 9" with full tank of fuel and no load in the bed with three out of the 9 springs removed.

If you run a straight edge parallel to the rear most frame rails to the rear of the cab, you can approximate the bed width. Use some 1x2's and you will get a good idea what you have to work with. For fender size, mount up your running boards, the rear fenders are the same width as they are.

Joe

Guys, thanks for the help!
Joe especially, those measurements are exactly what I was looking for. I have scrounged up a lot of cardboard and plan on using that to make up some dummy bedsides and fenders. I'm going to be using the rearend out of a '55-'56 chevy sedan, which I think is 2" narrower than the Trans Am rearend, and I also plan on using the 2" wider fenders, so I should be able to get some good sized sneakers out back. Oh, and I would use the running boards, but those are gone too! Again, thanks for spending your hard earned time to help me out, I really appreciate it.
Eric

No problem, let me know if you need something else. Mine came with a '55 rear axle under it, but I sold it off before I even got started.

Joe

Hi Eric,

I have a '55 Chevy car rear-end under my '40. With stock width fenders, I was able to fit 275 / 17 tires and wheels, so if you go with the 2" wider fenders should have lots of room for fat rubber !