This might be posted in the wrong spot...

This winter's project on the car is hopefully going to be wheels, brakes, and rear end. I'm planning on getting some 17"x9.5" wheels for the rear. I know the typical backspacing is 5.5" for this size rim. I wanted to get a bit more of the "dish" in the rim so was wondering if I shortened the axles by 2" per side and ordered some rims with a 3.5" backspacing, would there be clearancing issues with anything? From the pictures of Moser's rear ends, it looks like there should be enough room between the hub and the spring perch to shorten them up...

Has anyone done something similar with any success?

 

moser offers the rears shortened up to something like 3". I dont think it will affect anything as far as suspension hookup points.

First thing, make sure you can buy the wheel with that backspacing.

Then if you are really wanting to do this i would recommended buying the rear first. My moser 9" ended up about 1/2" narrower on each side than stock. Not a big deal, but if you already have tight fitting wheels, you can be thrown for a loop.

 

Definitely don't waste time/money narrowing the stock 9 or 10-bolt. I agree on the deeper dish wheels looking better, but the only logical way to do so is to go ahead and upgrade the rear. Tell them what width you want, they'll build it accordingly. Then check fitment and measure for proper wheel fitment.

 

2" would put the backing plates pretty close to the LCA. It could be done but as mentioned above, why bother with a weak factory diff.

 

I had mine narrowed 1 1/2 in on both sides and the offset for a real deep dish, call Bruce at Hawks, he the one who did the measurements for it.

Eric

 

Don't worry, the plan is to buy a Moser 9"...

After reading some of your comments, I think I will shorten the axles 1.5" and order the wheels after it is bolted in place. Thanks for your input guys!

 

Your best bet is to buy your wheels first (within reason) & then make the axle fit between them.

Once you go past 1.5" per side (based on the 3rd gen width) you run into clearance issues with caliper/backing plate to axle suspension mounts.

You will have to take your rear brake combo into consideration & may have to lose the e-brake to get it narrower or narrow the suspension mounting points on the rear to clear.