How do you figure out housing length?

[stangonline]

I know the wheels dimensions that I want - how do I pick the correct housing and axles, so that when it is all together, the wheels tuck "just right"?

I guess I could get the wheels and tires, sit them under the car, then measure between the mounting face of the wheel? figure in for rotor thickness?

 

[65ShelbyClone]

You should probably get the rear end first so you can get wheels with the right backspacing based on that.


Here is a site with a list of rear end widths for popular Fords. It's for 9" rears, but 8s are the same if a car came with one.

 

[D.Hearne]

On a 9" rear, the housing length is 5" less than the axle to axle length. The std offset for most Ford brake setups is 2-1/2" (per side). There are variations but the two most popular, the Explorer discs and F150 drums is 2.5"

 

[stangonline]

You should probably get the rear end first so you can get wheels with the right backspacing based on that.


Here is a site with a list of rear end widths for popular Fords. It's for 9" rears, but 8s are the same if a car came with one.

I have wheels in mind already and they only come one way - so I need to make the rear fit the wheels.