Frame Mods to fit 12" Wide Wheel on 1965 Chevelle

[BANKO]

Hey guys, I'm planning on building a '65 Chevelle with a custom width 9" and 3 link + watts linkage rear suspension. I also plan on doing mini tubs to accommodate the wider wheels/tires, however I realized based on Malitude that I might only be able to get a 11" wide wheel without frame modifications. Would it be better to cut the rear frame rails before the rear axle and weld in a custom clip as opposed to notching the frame locally near the wheels?

Thanks, Josh

[camcojb]

Malitude had frame mods too, but not a custom rear clip. I could have put a 12" wheel in there with the right tire. I don't think a 335 would have fit though, would have been super close. Since I ended up with 17's anyway, just like Mark built it, an 11" wheel is as wide as they go in that diameter.

Jody

[BANKO]

Thanks a lot Jody, your info is helpful. Do you have any pictures of the frame mods Mark did? I didn't remember the chassis being showcased in the PHR article.

[camcojb]

Thanks a lot Jody, your info is helpful. Do you have any pictures of the frame mods Mark did? I didn't remember the chassis being showcased in the PHR article.
here's a few.........

[MarkM66]

I narrowed the frame on my '66 the same way. But I moved mine in 3" per side instead of 2" like Malitude. Which fit a 20x12 with a 335/30

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b76/MarkM68/Chevelle%20frame/IMG_5114-1.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b76/MarkM68/Chevelle%20frame/Mark2.jpg

[JND]

I just picked up another frame and was looking to move the frame rails in 2-3 inches to fit 18x13 335's on my 69 chevelle. do you have any pic's on the upper support modifications. i have a good idea but wanted to ask in the event i am missing somthing. I also had some concerns about lossing my sway bar. i noticed Malitude still has a rear sway bar, any idea how that was modified to fit the narrowed control arm gap. i am thinking of Hotchkis's extreme sway bar kit may work sinc it does not mount to control arms.

Thanks Joe

[MarkM66]

I just picked up another frame and was looking to move the frame rails in 2-3 inches to fit 18x13 335's on my 69 chevelle. do you have any pic's on the upper support modifications. i have a good idea but wanted to ask in the event i am missing somthing. I also had some concerns about lossing my sway bar. i noticed Malitude still has a rear sway bar, any idea how that was modified to fit the narrowed control arm gap. i am thinking of Hotchkis's extreme sway bar kit may work sinc it does not mount to control arms.

Thanks Joe

2" isn't going to cut it if you want to fit a 13" wheel. Do you mean 12" wheel?

What do you mean by "upper support"? Where the uca connect to the frame?

[JND]

i want to run 13 inch wide rims, should i run 12" with 335's? i was told i could run upto 13" wide. Currently i have 10" rims 285's with 6" BS and have 1.5" to the frame so going in 3" would leave me with 1.5" running 13" rims with 9" BS.

Yes i am refering to the support where the UCA mount. i am thinking i would have to remove 3" from each side and reattach to the frame rails. then move the LCA mounts and coil mounts in 3".

Joe

[MarkM66]

i want to run 13 inch wide rims, should i run 12" with 335's? i was told i could run upto 13" wide. Currently i have 10" rims 285's with 6" BS and have 1.5" to the frame so going in 3" would leave me with 1.5" running 13" rims with 9" BS.

Yes i am refering to the support where the UCA mount. i am thinking i would have to remove 3" from each side and reattach to the frame rails. then move the LCA mounts and coil mounts in 3".

Joe

I think most run a 12" wheel with that tire. What do the tire specs say on rim range?

Yeah, that's what I did on my uca crossmember, and coil mounts/lca brackets.

[JND]

You would be correct, range is 11.5-12.0-12.5. so looks like 12 is the sweet spot. i guess i still need to move the frame rails in 3" since the tires are 13.3 wide.

Do you have a rear sway bar?

[MarkM66]

You would be correct, range is 11.5-12.0-12.5. so looks like 12 is the sweet spot. i guess i still need to move the frame rails in 3" since the tires are 13.3 wide.

Do you have a rear sway bar?

I never put a sway bar on it. I don't have it anymore, and didn't drive it enough to know if it needed one or not.

[okyankee]

I narrowed the frame on my '66 the same way. But I moved mine in 3" per side instead of 2" like Malitude. Which fit a 20x12 with a 335/30

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b76/MarkM68/Chevelle%20frame/IMG_5114-1.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b76/MarkM68/Chevelle%20frame/Mark2.jpg

i want to do the same on my 65 chevelle. is this the stock width rear end just with wheels with correct backspacing? thanks for any help.

[camcojb]

i want to do the same on my 65 chevelle. is this the stock width rear end just with wheels with correct backspacing? thanks for any help.
On Malitude it was a narrowed rear end, and I'd guess Mark did the same. If you minitub but keep the rear end stock width you end up with wheels with no depth to them. In other words, they'll have to have a lot of backspacing to be wide and still fit. If you narrow the rear you can get a more centered wheel offset which I think looks much better.



Jody

[okyankee]

On Malitude it was a narrowed rear end, and I'd guess Mark did the same. If you minitub but keep the rear end stock width you end up with wheels with no depth to them.

Jody

then that calls for some rear end chopping. thanks for the help.

[okyankee]

On Malitude it was a narrowed rear end, and I'd guess Mark did the same. If you minitub but keep the rear end stock width you end up with wheels with no depth to them. In other words, they'll have to have a lot of backspacing to be wide and still fit. If you narrow the rear you can get a more centered wheel offset which I think looks much better.



Jody

btw, do you know how much per side to narrow the rear end?

[camcojb]

btw, do you know how much per side to narrow the rear end?
that would depend on wheel width and offset as well as tire size. Best thing to do is complete the frame and tub mods, get the wheel/tire combo, set them in place and measure for the rear width.

[okyankee]

that would depend on wheel width and offset as well as tire size. Best thing to do is complete the frame and tub mods, get the wheel/tire combo, set them in place and measure for the rear width.

thanks. i know the wheels will be 20x12 for sure. that is as far as i got. thanks for the info.

[BANKO]

Great info, I love the pics.

Did either of you guys do this on a frame table?

@Mark, looks like you used boxed frame rails behind the rear axle body mounts. Is this 2"x4"?

Thanks, Josh

[MarkM66]

Great info, I love the pics.

Did either of you guys do this on a frame table?

@Mark, looks like you used boxed frame rails behind the rear axle body mounts. Is this 2"x4"?

Thanks, Josh

No, just welded in some braces before cutting, and measured before welding.

That's just the factory frame in the back that I boxed. :cheers:

[tim65chevelle]

I'm working on a 65 chevelle , 64&65 have very small provisions for tires (The frames are the same 64-67)1966&7 have a lot bigger wheel well.I took 2" out of each side of my frame( I notched it) replaced it with a 3/8 plate.You cant take out any more than 2" (upper spring perches are right there) I also had to move 2nd to last body mount.By notching frame instead of moving it. I was able to keep stock gas tank factory upper and lower bars.(no frame jig required. My wheel opening measure out to 13 3/4"now. 66-67 cars are wider so it would measure out more. I have a lot of pics . they are to big to send?(I'll try to make them smaller)Or maybe I could send them direct to your e-mail.(I'm not very computer savy)TIM I'm doing min tubs right now.(419)371-4955