Crestlines + Single Cab

[Zach Gomulka]

Has anyone ever put Crestines on a type 2? Here is the victim- it is my friends '61 Single cab. It will be recieving its new motor soon (a mild 1600 with lots of Treuhaft parts), a straight axle conversion in the rear, type 3 drums, and dropped spindles with a narrowed adjustible beam. The Crestlines measure about 6 1/4" wide with only 3 1/4" backspace. We wont be going crazy low with it, and it wont be raced, just a daily driver.
We arent worried too much about the front since we can narrow the beam to fit the wheels.
With only 3 1/4" backspace it makes it difficult for the rear. Can the back of the wheel be machined down to increase backspace without sacrificing strength? It has 1/2" thick pads on the back of the wheels, as you can see on the second picture. If we took those pads off, we would get 3 3/4"- much better!
What size tires to use? Currently it has 195/65s on the back and 165s front. Im thinking of re using the rear tires and going to a shorter, wider front tire like a 185/55 or 185/60. I dont really want to go narrower on the front since it is a pretty wide wheel, and I would like the front tires to be a little narrower and shorter then the rear tires.
Any help in this matter?? We are trying to get it ready to drive to the Las Vegas Bug-In in less then 4 weeks!

[Turtle001]

nice decklid you got there ;-)

[Trond Dahl]

hehe I like the windows, make's It look like you work on your car inside your living room. I like it!

[Zach Gomulka]

nice decklid you got there ;-)

We've got the rest of the car, too

[speedwell]

 i 've a set of 5 crestlines and all are mark II the same on the photo but i've 3 different models    ,i will post some picture tomorrow because i'm at work now  and don't i have my wheels with me  see you tomorrow for more details of my wheels

[speedwell]

here's my wheels  three differents models
-The first one with a lip on the edge of the wheel , but the center is identical to the second
-The second is different from the third at the level of the nuts and bolts and has no lips on the edge
-And the third is different at the level of the flask, or we put bolts, it looks like there's an insert and when we move that,  it's conical as a stock wheel

[speedwell]

someone have an idea  how many models crestline made on the MKII (my wheels are MK II )  and somebody has already seen one mk1 
regards
fabian

[Zach Gomulka]

Interesting! My friends wheels are like the #2 one you have.
Does anyone have a spare centercap lying around? We are missing one!
Any help on getting the wheels to fit?

[BABOON]

Shave of the rear wheel arch and go for som BIG tires. I love when the wheels are sticking out.

[Rocket-Racing]

Shave of the rear wheel arch and go for som BIG tires. I love when the wheels are sticking out.

Oh yeah.. That's the way to do it! Radiused wheelwells and the Crestlines sticking out with some fat Goodyears!
I have a feeling this isn't exactly the answers you wanted, but how cool? 

[Zach Gomulka]

If the fenders had already been cut, we wouldnt have a problem with that! I even suggested it to my friend! But since it is so straight, rust free, and never been cut, I could never bring myself to do it.

[BABOON]

Shouldn`t be a problem. Lots of type 2`s around. Go for it

[Zach Gomulka]

Any help out there?? How about tire sizes? Anyone have a bus with dropped spindles? What size tires are you running up front?

[speedwell]

hy zach  one day i found this picture of abus with rockets racing wheels

[Zach Gomulka]

I think we are just going to take a shot in the dark and try the 185/60's. I like having a little taller tire to improve ride quality, and its the same height as a 145 . The straight axle trans is ready, and the rest of the suspension bits are in the mail. Ill let you know how it goes- or if it doesnt!

[Rocket-Racing]

I think we are just going to take a shot in the dark and try the 185/60's. I like having a little taller tire to improve ride quality, and its the same height as a 145 . The straight axle trans is ready, and the rest of the suspension bits are in the mail. Ill let you know how it goes- or if it doesnt!

I am very interested in how it fits as I have a similar problem myself.
My case is a 66 bus and a set of ET mags. The wheels have just about the same offset as yours, but the car will not be lowered.
Haven't tested or measured anything yet as the bus isn't here right now.
Good luck, and keep us posted!

[Zach Gomulka]

Well, the Cab isnt going to make Vegas We bolted the rear end up with the straight axle conversion (uses long axles), with the type 3 brakes, and the bare Crestlines (no tire!) was about .100" away from the fender lip! We might have been able to get away with it if we machined the back of the rim AND used little type 1 brakes, but we knew that wasnt the right way. So now we have decided to use short axles with custom built spring plates that dogleg in 1 1/8". Hopefully that will give us plenty of room! Maybe enough for 205/70's or 215/65's! We have the short axles installed in the new trans, just waiting on gaskets for the axle tubes  The motor is almost complete too- looking very pretty! We also still need to take 2 more inches out of the CB beam. The 185/60s fit like a glove on those rims though  Ill post pics later...

[Felix/DFL]

Hi Zach,

here you go:

http://www.amayesing.com/narrowrear.htm

Another method is to work with spacers between the (non notched) springplate and axletubes.Maybe you even have to shorten the axletubes...

Good luck,Felix

[Zach Gomulka]

Thank you! We already found that site, and are planning the exact same thing. Ours will be narrower by 1 1/8", instead of just 3/4" though The custom springplates should be done by Thursday...

[Zach Gomulka]

Here was our problem, thats a bit too close for comfort
And the motor- looking too pretty for a 1600!!
Off to Vegas! See you Monday!!!!!!!!

[Zach Gomulka]

Here was the solution we came up with- short axles and these currently unfinished springplates. They are .060" thicker than stock, and about 5 Rockwell harder- strength wont be an issue. With a wide 5 type 3 drum and the Crestlines in un-modified form, the tire sits right in the middle of the fender well. We are hoping to stuff a 215/65 back there 

[Diederick/DVK]

this is the topic, can't wait to see the final result!

how is it going?

[Zach Gomulka]

This detail thing is addictive. Once you start, you cant stop...

[Zach Gomulka]

Finished spring plate