LUVTruck.com

ok i guess this will be the first installment of my documented 9 inch swap. if it gets boring just let me know, i can take it lol.

this will be my first 9 inch ever owned, and my first shot at narrowing the frame rails and the housing. i do mechanic for a living and love doing fabrication on just about anything. and i got a cople buddies here that have done this a time or two that are gonna help me out.

right now im 35 1/2 inches inside frame rail to frame rail. so far the plan is to squeeze them together 10 inches. cut most of the bed floor out and cover the top. leave a hinged area at the back for access to batt and fuel cell. like i said, thats the PLAN right now. lmao that could all change in a day or two!!!

and remember my camera was dropped about 4 yrs ago so some pics come out great and others not so great. and i cant change the date unless i photoshop it.













and the one thats goin back in soon i hope lol

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KEEP A HAND ON THE WHEEL AND A FOOT ON THE GAS

AINT RIGHT MOTORSPORTS

I narrowed my frame to 17 1/2 inchs last year. The pics are in the gallery under Karl Ott. If I can be of help just ask, I know I ran into a few problems on the way.

http://www.luvtruck.com/Gallery/KarlOtt ... N0425.html

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Certified pilots, looking down on people since 1903.

man that looks wiked narrowed that skinny!!! im not goin that much lol.

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KEEP A HAND ON THE WHEEL AND A FOOT ON THE GAS

AINT RIGHT MOTORSPORTS

I went pretty drastic, I wanted 31X18.50's.

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Certified pilots, looking down on people since 1903.

Cool thread. It should help answer a lot of questions. Good luck .

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If you think no one cares, try missing a couple of payments...



FIAA!

SFPP!

Will you be keeping the leaf's or going with ladder bars or 4 link?

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Certified pilots, looking down on people since 1903.

goin with the leafs

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KEEP A HAND ON THE WHEEL AND A FOOT ON THE GAS

AINT RIGHT MOTORSPORTS

What size tire/rim combo are you thinking?

I am kinda excited for you, I love frame work and when it is done and the tires fit under the bed it is well worth it.

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Certified pilots, looking down on people since 1903.

the tires are goin to fit under the fenderwells for sure. 15x8 draglites with 28x10.5 mt's.
my buddies dad has the wheels on a ford montigo right now. not sure of the backspacing yet, but it doesnt really matter since im goin to build off of them. was goin to get them today but it rained all day and the car is outside his shop, and i hate mud on cold days lol

i can do lots of measuring right now before i start cutting if anybody wants to know some stock measurements.

and i think im goin to get the wife a new digital camera with a printer doc so i can get better pics as i go along this project lmao. got a camcorder but i will wait untill i get ready for some burnouts for that heehehee

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KEEP A HAND ON THE WHEEL AND A FOOT ON THE GAS

AINT RIGHT MOTORSPORTS

Wish I was closer I would love to help, I had a great time doing mine.

I was just thinking, Ben bring that truck of your's over so I can get you more tire room.

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Certified pilots, looking down on people since 1903.

I narrowed mine 14-1/2" using the frame rails from a donor LUV i also run the leaf springs with the ladder bars and sliders it looks daunting when you start but it's not that hard to do. The reason i used the frame rails is that they go almost to the torsion bar X-member so i could run the truck with out a cage on the street and not twist it in too.

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1978 pro street step/side 455Buick, 4sp,4.11s, 31/18.5s

You don't have to narrow it that much to fit the tires you want to run,I run 295/50-15 on 15x10 american racing wheels ( 4 inch backspace) on mine and we only narrowed the frame 4 inches total.You barely have to touch the inside of the tubs too. If you want i will scan some pics of mine for you this weekend.

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72 luv v-8 owned since 16!
240" rear engine dragster
traded the circle track cars for a blown 496 chevy
[color=#FF8000]
29 dodge 4 dr sedan (project)
84 ranger 2wd "tuff truck" with 350 sbc

I tried to run the stock frame rails but clearance problems with the ladder bars forced me to run after market rails.

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Certified pilots, looking down on people since 1903.

im goin 10 total inches now just in case i want to run a bigger slick in the future i can.

my old luv rear end is up for grabs if anybody wants it. just cover shipping and its yours.

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KEEP A HAND ON THE WHEEL AND A FOOT ON THE GAS

AINT RIGHT MOTORSPORTS

That's the plan, man. Go large on the chop job now and later all you'll need to do is get the correct backspace on the wheels. I like it.

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If you think no one cares, try missing a couple of payments...



FIAA!

SFPP!

I narrowed mine eight inches all together. I run a 10.5 with PLENTY of room, if all of my measurements were correct I should be able to fit a 10 inch rim and 12.5s.

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Money can't buy happiness, but it can buy horsepower...and that's kind of the same thing...

Here are some pic's of mine one you have to look prtty close but it gives you the idea.

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1978 pro street step/side 455Buick, 4sp,4.11s, 31/18.5s

couple more

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1978 pro street step/side 455Buick, 4sp,4.11s, 31/18.5s

My frame rails are 27'' inside to inside and my 9'' is 43 3/4 backing plate to backing plate. These pics are with the 10.5 tire.
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k8/luvit80/truck3.jpg
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k8/luvit80/truck2.jpg
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k8/luvit80/truck1.jpg
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k8/luvit80/truck.jpg

I should have plenty of room if I ever want to go to a 12.5 with a ten inch tire.[/img]

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Money can't buy happiness, but it can buy horsepower...and that's kind of the same thing...

I still can't believe you where running a stock luv rear axel and not breaking. I see you had to pull one last burn out before you ripped the rear end out. This is a pretty cool tread I think it will lead to alot of great information. I personally LOVE doing frame and suspension work. I will be following this tread. I am excited for you and can't wait to see your finished product.

Great idea with going bigger then you need right now to allow room for improvement.

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