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Shoebox wheel opening- does this look ok?

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by bigdav160, Jan 25, 2014.

  1. bigdav160
    Joined: May 5, 2007
    Posts: 153

    bigdav160
    Member

    Long story but my choice of rear axle is slightly too wide. There are not rims available with more offset. I don't want to spend the money on custom rims or axles.

    I have seen pics of shoeboxes with radiused openings and let's say I've been unimpressed with the look.

    So I did a little photoshop on a similar looking car with an apology to the car owner. But the look is growing on me. Any opinions? or technical difficulties with this job?
     

    Attached Files:

  2. I think it looks good.Lots of people like the low look but I like a car that sits up.
     
  3. butch27
    Joined: Dec 10, 2004
    Posts: 2,847

    butch27
    Member

    Lower the car.
     
  4. zibo
    Joined: Mar 17, 2002
    Posts: 2,361

    zibo
    Member
    from dago ca

    Can't you just find a thinner rear end? I used a $150 68 mustang 8" in the 40 and it fits perfect.
     

  5. Mudslinger
    Joined: Aug 3, 2005
    Posts: 1,964

    Mudslinger
    Member

    I wouldn't do it.
     
  6. Mr.Dickies
    Joined: Jan 23, 2007
    Posts: 664

    Mr.Dickies
    Member

    Look for a 70's comet or maverick rear end. It's almost bolt in. I'm not a fan of radius cut fenders on shoeboxes. They look a little better on cars that are sectioned but I still don't love them. The shoebox hot wheel car has them and I hate it. Seems it would be a lot easier to find a early mustang rear end or even a maverick/ comet rear end then to spend the time and money doing something you don't love and hope it grows on you.


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  7. verde742
    Joined: Aug 11, 2010
    Posts: 6,284

    verde742
    Member

    I like them lower and round radius rear wheel opening.
     
  8. If the rear end is too wide, cutting the wheel openings won't hide the fact.
     
  9. bigdav160
    Joined: May 5, 2007
    Posts: 153

    bigdav160
    Member

    It's Ford IRS

    Already installed. I knew it would be close but once the weight of the car was on it the sidewall of the tire hits the flange and , I assume, the wheel house. Rolling the lip under or the slightest of flares may allow it to clear.

    Thanks for the feedback.
     
  10. metal man
    Joined: Dec 4, 2005
    Posts: 2,955

    metal man
    Member

    I think the photoshop looks really good, but I don't like taildraggers, or fender skirts. That one looks like a hot rod. Is yours a coupe too?
     
  11. Mr.Dickies
    Joined: Jan 23, 2007
    Posts: 664

    Mr.Dickies
    Member

    Look up the pinky shoebox build they undid rear wells that looked like the ones in your photoshop picture.


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  12. The Doddfather
    Joined: Jan 23, 2012
    Posts: 40

    The Doddfather
    Member
    from Va

    i'd lower it, looks a too high
     
  13. metalman
    Joined: Dec 30, 2006
    Posts: 3,297

    metalman
    Member

    What size/ offset rim do you have on it that it just about clears now?
    Custom offset rims don't cost too much, I had Jimmy (Wheelkid) build me a couple sets in the last couple years to move the tire in. No big deal if your running hubcaps.
    I don't mind radius wheel openings myself on shoeboxes but it's a lot of work to do it right.
     
  14. yellow dog
    Joined: Oct 15, 2011
    Posts: 512

    yellow dog
    Member
    from san diego

    Back in the day I cut wells on my 49 and thought it looked okay....I wouldn't do it today. The car ended just a racecar, but when you make the cut, it involves the inner as well, leaving a gap and a lot of work to make it right. With the tires hanging out, it exposes the paint to a lot of chipping
     
  15. Looks like someone tried to cut the rust out of the rear quaters.

    It works on a shoebox Chevy, not on a Ford.
     
  16. BLUDICE
    Joined: Jun 23, 2006
    Posts: 1,511

    BLUDICE
    Member

    Get a different rear end. If you go the route your planning, you will end up hating it.
    But it's your car.
     
  17. metal man
    Joined: Dec 4, 2005
    Posts: 2,955

    metal man
    Member

    Sure it's a lot of work, and tires should not "stick out" but if done well, I think it looks good...even an improvement sometimes. The rear wheel wells on these 49-51 Fords looks like a design flaw to me.

    He said it's close enough that rolling the lip might do it, so the tires won't be sticking out.
     
  18. Big Blue Car
    Joined: Dec 9, 2006
    Posts: 187

    Big Blue Car
    Member
    from Orlando FL

    I had a similar issue. I used a 9" from an early bronco and it is real close on space. I ordered custom steel wheels (with the max back space I think they are 15x7 with 4 1/4 bs). It was a lot easier than changing everything...


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  19. bigdav160
    Joined: May 5, 2007
    Posts: 153

    bigdav160
    Member

    OK, here's another rendition. the first attempt I was transferring the shape the front opening to the rear. What if I just raised the rear opening up?
     

    Attached Files:

  20. V8 Bob
    Joined: Feb 6, 2007
    Posts: 2,966

    V8 Bob
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Unless you're building a race car that will be butchered anyway, you're going to ruin the looks of that Ford. :rolleyes: Get a narrower rear end, imo. :)
     
  21. texasred
    Joined: Dec 3, 2008
    Posts: 1,204

    texasred
    Member
    from Houston

    The question you keep asking is "should I change rear ends or fuck up the body" with the answer being "the choice is yours"
     
  22. seb fontana
    Joined: Sep 1, 2005
    Posts: 8,483

    seb fontana
    Member
    from ct

    I'd fuck the body up but you will need some healthy tires to even it all out..
     

    Attached Files:

  23. Squablow
    Joined: Apr 26, 2005
    Posts: 17,432

    Squablow
    Member

    If it's going to be radiused, it had better match the front. Maybe if you got two sets of 52-54 Ford front fender lips (or 55 Chevy) put one set on the front stock-height and the other set on the rear not quite as tall, but with the same profile, you could give it a bit of a 60's hot rod look.

    I'd be way more concerned with the safety of an independent rear suspension that was installed by someone who didn't think to measure the width first.

    I know I sound like a huge dickhead to say that, but measurements are EVERYTHING when you're installing a different suspension like that, front or rear.
     
  24. -im gonna "quote this in my head all day at work tomorrow -cause it just sounds so awesome. -KICK ASS.
    but
    if i were you . go get a pinto and radius the rear. =keep a shoebox a shoebox
     
  25. 55glyde
    Joined: Apr 16, 2011
    Posts: 45

    55glyde
    Member
    from mile high

    If it were my car I would fix the rearend and leave the body alone. I personally don't like altered wheel openings.


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  26. Hot Rods Ta Hell
    Joined: Apr 20, 2008
    Posts: 4,671

    Hot Rods Ta Hell
    Member

    Here's your choices;

    A) Order a pair of correct offset rims (easiest out)
    B) Replace the rear end (a lot more work than option A)
    C) Radius the wheelwells (a lot more work than option B (even if you're a pro body man), and IMHO, won't look good.
     
  27. Hdonlybob
    Joined: Feb 1, 2005
    Posts: 4,115

    Hdonlybob
    Member

    Another vote for radius rounding them.....they really stand out that way, and look totally cool in my opinion...
    This one ROCKS...perfect job.
    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Jan 27, 2014

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