Does anyone that has back-halved their car happen to still have the measurements? Also tire and wheel size that you ended up with, width of rear axle housing? What tips can you pass along? Thanks in advance, Jerry
I just put a '70 on the chassis bench yesterday,will start cutting up in the next few days,will prodably be a 4 link instead of ladder bar ,If no one comes up with specs.for you I could keep track for you,this is for a customer at my chassis/rearend shop and will move along very quickly in the next few weaks.I was thinking of putting it on the forum as an ongoing "project",it's pickup.....thats what I said...A 1970 Maverick PICKUP!Watch for it soon!
Thanks, sounds like just what I need to know. I was hoping for a 4 link specs. It would make a good tech article. Good luck with the project! Jerry
Hey Jerry I'm going to have mine home this weekend most likely, I can get some measurements for you while it's here & apart. Best advice I can give is to get your wheels & tires first! Because if you don't you stand a very good chance of having to send them back...and we all know that once the tires are mounted, they are yours (no returns). That can get expensive fast! I used to have a complete blueprint of the entire car, front suspension geometry, 4 link settings, suspension measurements, rear width, track width, wheelbase, etc. I'll see if I can find it. BTW, my wheelbase got about 5/8" longer when I backhalfed it...thats just the way it worked out. I reused the wheel well centerline so that it would "look" right. The factory rear end is pushed about 5/8" forward of the wheel well centerline. Lots of folks don't know that, but its there and once you start doing the tedious measuring, leveling, etc, you'll find it. 5/8" is what I remember...it may have been slightly more or less. I'll verify once I find the paperwork.
Jerry, also get the tub kit too. When helping Todd do his, I thought, what are we doing? We had little experience with doing this type setup but it all worked out perfect. Get a good two or three foot level and a good angle finder level. Also very important is a good plumb bob. The car will be set on stands for some time and centerlines marked on the floor, for reference points. His rear tires are 31.5x13.5x15, don't know the wheel backspace yet but will get it for you. Lot's of grinding and cutting required. Large pieces of cardboard are cut the same size as the tub metal, and then toothpicks or better yet, wooden skewers are inserted to make a contour gage for the body and fender well, then transfered to the metal for cutting etc. More when we get the car home Sunday.
IF you have not built one before, it's alot easer to order a rear clip from one of the chassie companys. The rear end in Quick silver is 42 inches flange to flange. A center 14 inch drag lite or pro star will work.