Series 2 2+2 track widening

Talk about the E-Type Series 2

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unariciflocos
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#1 Series 2 2+2 track widening

Post by unariciflocos » Thu Jun 20, 2019 1:22 pm

Greetings

I'm restoring a series 2 2+2 and as it's nearing the paint stage it bothers me quite badly how far the wheels sit under the car, so I'd like to widen the track.

The rear seems easy, extending the bottom arm and prop shaft and having it rebalanced, however for the front I'm considering different options, of which the preferred would be CNC machining extended wishbone mounts.

Has anyone done this or something similar and can give some advice? I'm not bothered by the torsion bars, I'm ordering a full adjustable GAZ suspension kit.

What is a decent option for wider wheels that won't cost an arm and a leg?

(Please don't tar and feather me, I know what I'm asking, I know it's sacrilege to a lot of people, I know that a lot of thought went into this setup, etc etc. I just can't stand the way it looks compared to the Series 3 for example and this car will never go fast after the amount of time and money I've invested in it, I have other cars for going fast that were specifically built just for going fast, this will just be a garage queen.)
Andrei
1970 Series 2 2+2 under construction
https://www.facebook.com/Some-guy-in-hi ... ?ref=br_rs

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Gfhug
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#2 Re: Series 2 2+2 track widening

Post by Gfhug » Thu Jun 20, 2019 2:41 pm

Hello, would you like to add your name to your signature, it makes it nicer for us to use your name when responding.
You may get tarring and feathering from some. But one way of making the tyres look wider, without going to the 205/70 R15 tyres of the S3 is to get wider wheels. Up to 6 inch but still with the correct 185 tyres. Many people (me included) feel the 205 tyres on a S1 or S2 car make the steering heavy. Others will disagree. But the wider wheels with standard tyres will give you some of the look you're trying for.
Also look at different offset for the wheels, this pushes the rim further outboard, again making the tyres look wider.

A couple of options for you to consider

Geoff
S2 FHC Light Blue
S2 OTS LHD - RHD full restoration

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chrisfell
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#3 Re: Series 2 2+2 track widening

Post by chrisfell » Fri Jun 21, 2019 3:45 pm

There is a reason why the S3 wings are flared. If the track of a S1 or S2 car is widened at the front, that reason becomes clear.

It is true that the track makes the S1 and S2 look inept, especially when at a standstill, but wider wheels will make a difference. An alternative I’ve often wondered about is a set of otherwise standard wheels with a slightly non standard back spacing.
Chris '67 S1 2+2

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#4 Re: Series 2 2+2 track widening

Post by christopher storey » Fri Jun 21, 2019 6:07 pm

If you tamper with the suspension geometry in the way you are suggesting , the results may be catastrophic , either for you and your passenger, or worse still, for other road users. Jaguar spent an enormous amount of time and money on developing the rear suspension in particular, and what you are suggesting may, or more probably will, have incalculable effects. The most dangerous of these is the possibility of rear wheel steering and/or bump steer, either from the inherent changes in the geometry, or worse still ( because of unpredictably ) because of overloading the suspension cage mounts to the point of failure. The suggestion already made of using wider wheels but sticking with 185 tyres will improve the looks considerably without being in the least bit dangerous

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Heuer
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#5 Re: Series 2 2+2 track widening

Post by Heuer » Fri Jun 21, 2019 10:52 pm

:yeahthat:

Also you will find the Dunlop SPSport 185 tyres fill the wheel arch very well because of their tread pattern. I will post a photo of my FHC tomorrow so you can see what it looks like.

I moved the thread from the upgrade Forum to here as I don't want what you are doing to be classed as an 'upgrade' that others may copy. It is better classed as a Restomod which I think is the correct term. Not a criticism of what you are trying to do though.
David Jones
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#6 Re: Series 2 2+2 track widening

Post by Series1 Stu » Fri Jun 21, 2019 11:15 pm

Possibly pointless trivia here.

Series1 & 2 rear track is 50"
Series 3 is 53.4"
Jag 420 is 54.3"
Jag 420G is 58"
Series 1 XJ6 is 58.5"

Back in the day we used to narrow Jag IRS and shove them under all manner of hot rods and custom cars.

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Stuart

If you can't make it work, make it complicated!

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unariciflocos
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#7 Re: Series 2 2+2 track widening

Post by unariciflocos » Sun Jun 23, 2019 7:07 pm

Thank you gents. So where do I get wider wheels from?
Andrei
1970 Series 2 2+2 under construction
https://www.facebook.com/Some-guy-in-hi ... ?ref=br_rs

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#8 Re: Series 2 2+2 track widening

Post by Series1 Stu » Sun Jun 23, 2019 9:51 pm

Try MWS. Their Aston Martin DB6 6x15 wheel should suit you fine.

Regards
Stuart

If you can't make it work, make it complicated!

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'69 Daimler 420 Sovereign
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MarkRado
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#9 Re: Series 2 2+2 track widening

Post by MarkRado » Mon Jun 24, 2019 4:41 am

Aston had a centre hub with smaller diameter than Jaguar afaik
Mark
1963 OTS 880436

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#10 Re: Series 2 2+2 track widening

Post by Heuer » Mon Jun 24, 2019 9:14 am

This is a car fitted with 16" x 7" Dayton wire wheels
Image
Image
Image

Bear in mind the wings have all been modified to accommodate the 7" width. You could get away with 16x6 though.
David Jones
S1 OTS OSB; S1 FHC ODB
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#11 Re: Series 2 2+2 track widening

Post by Series1 Stu » Tue Jun 25, 2019 9:28 pm

MarkRado wrote:
Mon Jun 24, 2019 4:41 am
Aston had a centre hub with smaller diameter than Jaguar afaik
True but not all Astons did. The DB6 Mk2, and some others, used the 52mm hub size.

Regards
Stuart

If you can't make it work, make it complicated!

'62 FHC - Nearing completion
'69 Daimler 420 Sovereign
'78 Land Rover Series 3 109

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#12 Re: Series 2 2+2 track widening

Post by unariciflocos » Wed Jun 26, 2019 2:35 pm

Been looking around at suppliers and will place an order over the next days.

I wonder if a combination of 6x16 front and 7x16 rear would work. I also considered 6.5x15 but I believe the 16 would look better. Yes, I'm young!
Andrei
1970 Series 2 2+2 under construction
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#13 Re: Series 2 2+2 track widening

Post by Heuer » Wed Jun 26, 2019 3:14 pm

Stay with 16 x 6 all round to maintain the balance of the car otherwise it may be prone to under-steer. Also with 7" rears you will need to modify the bodywork and in the event of a puncture you will probably not be able to change the wheel without dropping the shock absorbers!

There are very few E-Type's with 16" wheels so your car is going to be unique anyway.
David Jones
S1 OTS OSB; S1 FHC ODB
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