Offset Shackles Vs. Move Frame Rails?

[69keith]

I'm

[69keith]

Sorry missed a shift...
Let me start over, I'm replacing the rear frame rails on my 69 Camaro and wanted to know if anyone has ever thought of moving the rails inboard to acheive the same as offset shackles????
Will this work??

[baz67]

If you need to replace them anyway, I can not see why not.

[astroracer]

Sorry missed a shift...
Let me start over, I'm replacing the rear frame rails on my 69 Camaro and wanted to know if anyone has ever thought of moving the rails inboard to acheive the same as offset shackles????
Will this work??

Like baz said, if you are doing the work anyway there is no reason not to but, this is a lot of work if you are only looking for a couple of inches or so. Moving the rails inboard will create more room for a larger tire then simply offsetting the shackles. Offsetting the shackles gives more clearance to the "spring" only. It does not increase clearance to the rails.
Mark

[Jagarang]

When we mini-tub our cars, we move the springs with the shackles and then section the rails to get more space.

I saw some 355/xx/xx tires somewhere! It would be to cool to tuck something like that under a first gen!!

The next problem your going to run into is the front part of the spring. I don't know how much would be involved to relocate the front spring sockets in the unibody further inboard? I don't think it's easy, but I could be wrong.

Since your in there hacking and chopping anyway, maybe you could be the first with 355's under a first gen! Has anybody ever gotten this size under one of their cars yet?

The myth proven!

http://www.z06vette.com/forums/showthread.php?t=72669

[baz67]

Since your in there hacking and chopping anyway, maybe you could be the first with 355's under a first gen! Has anybody ever gotten this size under one of their cars yet?

The myth proven!

http://www.z06vette.com/forums/showthread.php?t=72669

Ya, it is called prostreet.

[69keith]

WOW ...Those are HUGE!!!

[MuscleRodz]

21st Century Street Machines has a rear clip that does just this. Be careful, if you move it too much you will have to relocate the spring perches on the axle.

Mike

[68ls1wannabe]

I'm thinking of doing the same thing on my 68 camaro. One thing that i've noticed is that to do this we will have to cut a section out of the trunk. I was thinking of doing away with the dip in the trunk and just completely flatten the whole thing. By the way where are you getting your rails. I was thinking of ordering the replacement rails from Jegs. I think they're around $100.

[Rybar]

I beleive Killer Customs (Killer69) did this on thier project '69

http://www.killercustoms.ca/home.htm

You might want to ask them what they encountered.

[MuscleRodz]

If the rails in Jeg's are the CE rails that are for the Camaro, they don't fit as described. I bought a set and had to cut them all apart to make them fit as they claim they do. If you leave the dropped trunk pan in there, you will have to section 9" out of the middle of it to fit. Then the factory gas tank support structure won't work anymore without rework.

Mike

[69keith]

I bought my full frame rails from Mike's Custom Cars in Rock Hill, SC. I was think ing of moving them inboard just enough to keep from notching them, I think there is room and not modify trunk pan. I just ordered tubs from DSE...

[MuscleRodz]

I left my rails in the stock location up front. The rails I used are straight instead of doglegged like the factory ones.Trying to move stock rails inboard is not worth all the extra headache if all you are trying to avoid is notching them.

Mike

[68ls1wannabe]

If the CE ones require that much work is their anything else that you would recommend to save me some work. Is their anyone that makes straight rails that will fit the contour of the trunk. I will be sectioning the trunk or removing it completly. will be installing a 20 gal fuel cell in the rear. I looked at what roadkiller did and that just doesn't look very structurally strong to me.

[J68Bird]

I don't have the specs infront of me, but I got my rails from these guys.
http://autoweldchassis.com/index2.ivnu

They look real good and are a thicker mat'l than most (11 ga)

J. Clear
68 Firebird Conv.