Quote Originally Posted by jerry clayton View Post
You don't need to load it----------just measure the spring curve from the front eye to the center bolt and then measure in a straight line from the eye to the center bolt-----ajust for the extra length of the curve----------
Seems like that's a good idea, and it would indeed give you the maximum shift to the rear if the truck were loaded to the max, totally flattening the spring, but is that what you want? Seems to me the dilemma is to know just how much that spring is going to flatten under static load - the time when you want the placement of the wheel to be "right" for the wheel well opening, sitting still with everyone looking. A pickup's pretty light in the back end, so I wouldn't think you'd want to use that spring arc measurement to set your wheelbase. You could get an idea from another truck, but only if you're using the same springs, etc, right? A dilemma for sure.