Rear axle centering to bed wheel well
 

Hey guys has anyone cut the front of the bed so the axle/wheel was centered in the bed wheel well?
I was told that with a load the axle moves back. But that means it is always off center like 95% of the time and fine when you have a load in bed or when towing. 5% or less. My truck will probably never have a load in it.

So I was thinking of cutting a pie shape out of the front and moving the lip forward 1"

If you have a link or a place where you have see it or done it please let me know.
Thank you
Scott

Re: Rear axle centering to bed wheel well
 

Leave it alone, don't let it bother you. These trucks are immaculate beings, hence the humongous following that continues to grow after all these years :cool:

Re: Rear axle centering to bed wheel well
 

Why not use an adjustable spring perch and move the axle into position?

Re: Rear axle centering to bed wheel well
 

Look at the "axle off set plates" offered by Off Road Design.com.
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Re: Rear axle centering to bed wheel well
 

You're splitting hairs Scott! If its bothering you that much go the suspension route. You are probably a lot better than me but when i start "cutting" bad things happen...

Re: Rear axle centering to bed wheel well
 

Looks fine.

Re: Rear axle centering to bed wheel well
 

I have already moved the axle backwards due to the shackle flip kit. It is at the correct location for stock. My question was has anyone cut the fender to make it even?
Thanks for the replies

Re: Rear axle centering to bed wheel well
 

I used to cut them to clear bigger tires than you have with less lift when I rode them hard and put them away wet years ago

Re: Rear axle centering to bed wheel well
 

Looks even!!! Lol. Big tires on that truck. Looks like a fun time.

Appreciate the comments. Looking to do a few things that are subtle but custom.

Re: Rear axle centering to bed wheel well
 

I cut a pie piece out of my Jimmy. It's about 6" long and 5/8" wide at the very bottom. This makes the wheel well almost perfectly round removing the "hook". I also re-drilled the perches on my 9.5" sf 14 bolt to move it back. I needed to move mine as much for the custom driveshaft I had made for the 12 bolt because the nose of the 14 was longer. But it is centered quite well and doesn't grab the lip on big bumps any more.

Re: Rear axle centering to bed wheel well
 

any photos???

Re: Rear axle centering to bed wheel well
 

You mean looks even worse? LOL!!! That was a mountain farm truck when I got it, already had all that rust in '82. That mud is inside the windows. I had my windows open romping through rocker high mud and water. Also broke an outer shaft that night before... DOH! I had the neauty and the beast thing going on there.

I've seen wheel openings "radiused" to look factory. I think shifting the axle is your best bet, w/o getting into complex body work

Re: Rear axle centering to bed wheel well
 

Without them being "offset"... to me they would look weird. :)

Gary

Re: Rear axle centering to bed wheel well
 

I'll see what I can do this weekend if the weather cooperates.