[71gtx]

I'm on the verge of ordering my wheels for my studebaker project. One last thing I need to make sure of is that the differences in wheelbases in the front and back won't affect anything for the comfort of the ride/alignment. If I go with my setup, I will have a 74" wide wheelbase in the rear (from center of tire to center of tire) (and the total rear width will be 85"). I will then have a front wheelbase of 57" (from center of wheel to center of wheel, and a total front width of 66").

So, can such a large difference have effects? Also, I can put a smaller backspacing on the front wheels since I have no fenders, any input on how small is too small for front wheels?

[345 desoto]

FWIW, "Track" is the distance center of wheel to center of wheel between the wheels, side to side. "Wheelbase" is the distance between axle centers, front ot back. GENERALLY, shorter wheel base, bumpier ride...longer wheelbase smoother ride. GENERALLY, track width shouldn't affect ride quality...

[ScoTFrenzel]

74 inches center to center in the rear?
Are you sure it is 17 inches wider in the rear?
I know Studes were wider, but seventeen???

Outside to outside that is 19 inches wider...

I bet it will push like heck in the turns without some serious help up front. I'd be really careful in the wet especially if I had a posi.

[71gtx]

Thanks for the clarification on the terms, I thought I had it wrong . The measurements on the front and rear tracks are accurate, the wheelbase is slightly innacurate, as of now, because I'm not sure how far forward I am building the front crossmember. I have a really wide rear setup, which is why I've been debating going with smaller backspacing on the front wheels.

As long as it isn't a problem other than the traction through the corners, I have no worries. I won't be driving in the rain (hopefully!), and the push I may feel will just be something I'll have to master as a driver. This is my first build, so I'm going through a lot of questions to make sure it's right (and some have even told me im going into too much depth). But small fundamentals such as this make hotrodding so complex, yet so interesting.

[ScoTFrenzel]

Originally Posted by 71gtx

Thanks for the clarification on the terms, I thought I had it wrong . The measurements on the front and rear tracks are accurate, the wheelbase is slightly innacurate, as of now, because I'm not sure how far forward I am building the front crossmember. I have a really wide rear setup, which is why I've been debating going with smaller backspacing on the front wheels.

As long as it isn't a problem other than the traction through the corners, I have no worries. I won't be driving in the rain (hopefully!), and the push I may feel will just be something I'll have to master as a driver. This is my first build, so I'm going through a lot of questions to make sure it's right (and some have even told me im going into too much depth). But small fundamentals such as this make hotrodding so complex, yet so interesting.

Less backspace = more offset, on front wheels alters the steering geometry, often creating a steering wheel jerk when one wheel hits a hole, etc.
google scrub radius

Consider reducing the rear width also.