The Ford Barn

47 flatbed · 02-05-2016, 08:44 PM

Seems like it may be a big truck with half ton fenders.

deuce_roadster · 02-05-2016, 08:44 PM

In addition to the other issues, that front spring looks pretty flat.

TJ · 02-05-2016, 09:25 PM

Those wheels on the front are too wide and don't have the proper offset. It's obviously part of the problem.

oldandtired · 02-05-2016, 09:53 PM

The front fender braces should be mounted to the frame using the 3 holes sticking below the frame. The shocks are not OEM or even close. They did not use tube shocks in 37. 37 used wide five bolt pattern, so there have been changes to both the front and rear. The OEM tires for a 37 pickup, especially the 6:50 is about the same height as a modern dually tire. Picture #3 sure doesn't look like a factory setup.

TomT/Williamsburg · 02-05-2016, 10:59 PM

Well, the axle looks dropped but the spring looks awful flat for a front spring. However, the rims up front look to have a very positive offset (to the outside that is), hence one reason why you are rubbing. I would borrow a more stick set of rims and tires and mount them (or rims and tires with a more negative, ie inboard, offset). Then you can get a better idea of how things look and where to go/change things from there.

I will say that with the right set of wheels and tires, that truck would have a very nice/killer hot rod stance to me, and definitely not stock! But, that is just my preference and opinion ....

JM 35 Sedan · 02-05-2016, 11:24 PM

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Thomasd, try not to take any criticism, or comments that may seem like criticism to you, from the folks here to heart. You have some very talented and experienced early Ford V-8 pick up truck owners/restorers who post here on a regular basis, and I'm sure that most of these folks will bend over backwards to help/advise you on how and what you may need to do to get your truck back to as original condition as you care to make it.
By posting pictures like you posted (and the more detailed these pictures are the better it will be) the guys who know these trucks will quickly see things that are not correct and/or need attention. Enjoy the ride,......
....and OBTW....welcome to the Fordbarn

jimTN · 02-06-2016, 09:32 AM

In a nutshell, you may have a situation that is potentially dangerous for you to drive and to fellow motorists on the road.

D. Jones · 02-06-2016, 10:46 AM

Thomasd,

You might want to post your location, that way if another member is close by they could possibly have a look at your truck and help you sort out what you need to do.

Enjoy your truck.

V12Bill · 02-06-2016, 02:23 PM

Those shackle bolts look like they have some wear in the leather portion.loose a 1/2" at the spring eye and another 1/2" at the wishbone bolt and you have lost an inch.

Fordors · 02-06-2016, 03:46 PM

That axle may have been dropped on the floor a time or two, but it is not a dropped axle. Looks like either a '46 or '47, there is a slight variation between those two, and if it had holes drilled in the web for shock studs near the kingpin holes it would be a '48.
Get a new spring and replace the shackles and I think your "...potentially dangerous..." situation will be OK. Once the spring is corrected keep the present wheels if you like them. Yes, they are not what the truck came with but it is your truck.

V8COOPMAN · 02-06-2016, 03:58 PM

I know that thing has to steer like a bear with wheels having that much positive offset and tires that wide. DD

Lanny · 02-06-2016, 06:58 PM

His wheels have Negative offset.

Wheel Offsets

The offset of a wheel is what locates the tire and wheel assembly in relation to the suspension. More specifically, it is the measured distance between the hub mounting surface and the center line of the rim. Below is an explanation of the various types of offsets which are pictured in the above graphic.
Positive Offset

A positive offset occurs when the hub mounting surface is on the street side (the side you see) of the center line of the rim. Most factory rims will have this type of offset.
Zero Offset

When the hub mounting surface is centered within the rim, it is known as a zero offset.
Negative Offset

If the hub mounting surface is on the brake side of the center line of the rim, it is considered a negative offset or "deep dish".
Note that extensive negative offset can potentially cause increased steering wheel kick-back and place additional stresses on the vehicle's entire suspension.

.

V8COOPMAN · 02-06-2016, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lanny

His wheels have Negative offset.

I knew that...............!

You are absolutely correct, Lanny. DD

George/Maine · 02-06-2016, 08:05 PM

The problem with h78x14 is the tire is wider almost 9" wide and if it has a 6" wheel and 3" back space its almost even wheel in center. add up 3" half tire 4.5= 7"
now a 5" wheel with 3" back space out and 205 75 15 8.30" half tire 4.15 plus 2 bs=6.15 6.15 from 7=.85 more then 3/4"
Now a stock wheel is 4.5 and smaller width tire you have more room.

02-05-2016, 08:44 PM	#21
47 flatbed Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Ohio Posts: 419	Re: Tires rub front fenders 37 pickup Seems like it may be a big truck with half ton fenders.

02-05-2016, 08:44 PM	#22
deuce_roadster Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Shelton, WA Posts: 3,799	Re: Tires rub front fenders 37 pickup In addition to the other issues, that front spring looks pretty flat.

02-05-2016, 09:25 PM	#23
TJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Napa,California Posts: 6,029	Re: Tires rub front fenders 37 pickup Those wheels on the front are too wide and don't have the proper offset. It's obviously part of the problem.

02-05-2016, 09:53 PM	#24
oldandtired Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Edgefield, SC Posts: 811	Re: Tires rub front fenders 37 pickup The front fender braces should be mounted to the frame using the 3 holes sticking below the frame. The shocks are not OEM or even close. They did not use tube shocks in 37. 37 used wide five bolt pattern, so there have been changes to both the front and rear. The OEM tires for a 37 pickup, especially the 6:50 is about the same height as a modern dually tire. Picture #3 sure doesn't look like a factory setup.

02-05-2016, 10:59 PM	#25
TomT/Williamsburg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Williamsburg, Virginia Posts: 2,654	Re: Tires rub front fenders 37 pickup Well, the axle looks dropped but the spring looks awful flat for a front spring. However, the rims up front look to have a very positive offset (to the outside that is), hence one reason why you are rubbing. I would borrow a more stick set of rims and tires and mount them (or rims and tires with a more negative, ie inboard, offset). Then you can get a better idea of how things look and where to go/change things from there. I will say that with the right set of wheels and tires, that truck would have a very nice/killer hot rod stance to me, and definitely not stock! But, that is just my preference and opinion ....

02-05-2016, 11:24 PM	#26
JM 35 Sedan Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Near Rising Sun, Maryland Posts: 10,858	Re: Tires rub front fenders 37 pickup Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Thomasd, try not to take any criticism, or comments that may seem like criticism to you, from the folks here to heart. You have some very talented and experienced early Ford V-8 pick up truck owners/restorers who post here on a regular basis, and I'm sure that most of these folks will bend over backwards to help/advise you on how and what you may need to do to get your truck back to as original condition as you care to make it. By posting pictures like you posted (and the more detailed these pictures are the better it will be) the guys who know these trucks will quickly see things that are not correct and/or need attention. Enjoy the ride,...... ....and OBTW....welcome to the Fordbarn __________________ *John* *"Never give up on what you really want to do. The person with big dreams is more powerful than one with all the facts". Albert Einstein* Last edited by JM 35 Sedan; 02-05-2016 at 11:36 PM.

02-06-2016, 09:32 AM	#27
jimTN Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Powell, TN Posts: 2,508	Re: Tires rub front fenders 37 pickup In a nutshell, you may have a situation that is potentially dangerous for you to drive and to fellow motorists on the road.

02-06-2016, 10:46 AM	#28
D. Jones Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Bend, Oregon Posts: 514	Re: Tires rub front fenders 37 pickup Thomasd, You might want to post your location, that way if another member is close by they could possibly have a look at your truck and help you sort out what you need to do. Enjoy your truck.

02-06-2016, 02:23 PM	#29
V12Bill Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mt. Holly,NJ Posts: 1,822	Re: Tires rub front fenders 37 pickup Those shackle bolts look like they have some wear in the leather portion.loose a 1/2" at the spring eye and another 1/2" at the wishbone bolt and you have lost an inch.

02-06-2016, 03:46 PM	#30
Fordors Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Orland Park,IL Posts: 1,402	Re: Tires rub front fenders 37 pickup That axle may have been dropped on the floor a time or two, but it is not a dropped axle. Looks like either a '46 or '47, there is a slight variation between those two, and if it had holes drilled in the web for shock studs near the kingpin holes it would be a '48. Get a new spring and replace the shackles and I think your "...potentially dangerous..." situation will be OK. Once the spring is corrected keep the present wheels if you like them. Yes, they are not what the truck came with but it is your truck. __________________ My school colors are black and blue, I attended the School of Hard Knocks where I received a Masters Degree in Chronic Mopery.

02-06-2016, 03:58 PM	#31
V8COOPMAN Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: East Shore of LAKE HOUSTON Posts: 11,106	Re: Tires rub front fenders 37 pickup I know that thing has to steer like a bear with wheels having that much positive offset and tires that wide. DD __________________ *Click Links Below* __ ▼ *'35-'36 W/8BA & MECHANICAL FAN* *T5 W/TORQUE TUBE*

02-06-2016, 06:58 PM	#32
Lanny Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mn Posts: 2,410	Re: Tires rub front fenders 37 pickup His wheels have Negative offset. Wheel Offsets The offset of a wheel is what locates the tire and wheel assembly in relation to the suspension. More specifically, it is the measured distance between the hub mounting surface and the center line of the rim. Below is an explanation of the various types of offsets which are pictured in the above graphic. Positive Offset A positive offset occurs when the hub mounting surface is on the street side (the side you see) of the center line of the rim. Most factory rims will have this type of offset. Zero Offset When the hub mounting surface is centered within the rim, it is known as a zero offset. Negative Offset If the hub mounting surface is on the brake side of the center line of the rim, it is considered a negative offset or "deep dish". Note that extensive negative offset can potentially cause increased steering wheel kick-back and place additional stresses on the vehicle's entire suspension. . __________________ If mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy. But if daddy ain't happy...RUN

02-06-2016, 08:05 PM	#34
George/Maine Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mid coast Maine Posts: 1,878	Re: Tires rub front fenders 37 pickup The problem with h78x14 is the tire is wider almost 9" wide and if it has a 6" wheel and 3" back space its almost even wheel in center. add up 3" half tire 4.5= 7" now a 5" wheel with 3" back space out and 205 75 15 8.30" half tire 4.15 plus 2 bs=6.15 6.15 from 7=.85 more then 3/4" Now a stock wheel is 4.5 and smaller width tire you have more room.