Crab Season

[John-T-53]

I recall a few times that the phrase "crab down the road" or some variation has been used on this site, usually in reference to rear axle swaps, and always reminded me of how late model Econoline vans always seemed to be "crabbing", lol. Most of these vans you see now days are complete pieces of crap. 

 

Anyways, after years of having it in the back of my mind, the opportunity to document it finally occurred. See photo below. A little hard to see on here, but the grooves in the pavement made it easy to tell. The van was going straight and the rear tire was undoubtedly inward a few grooves from the front. And this Econoline was an exception to the usual abused p.o.s. and in decent condition. 

 

Could it be.....Or do Econoline front wheels track wider than the rear?

 

Edited January 7, 2022 by John-T-53

[DonaldSmith]

Maybe the front track is wider than the rear track?

[Dan Hiebert]

Usually the other way around if there is a different track.  Our Terraplane has an almost 2" narrower front track than rear.  That van is just wonky.  John T has a point, I've noticed the same issue with those Ford Econolines, especially when I'm driving in NJ where they all seem to be rode hard and put up wet, and the roads are paved by kidney specialists.

[tom'sB2B]

Was that on 85? It's always a little squirrelly driving on that grooved concrete. 

[FarmerJon]

I don't know about late model Econoline vans, but I do know for a fact stock 68-72 Ford f-100 trucks have a wider track in front than rear. I don't recall if future generations of trucks fixed it or not.

 

Definitely looks broken going down the road.

[kencombs]

Quick Google look shows that most Econolines have a front track about 3" wider than the rear.

[Sniper]

Wider front track than rear tends to better handling, though with an Econoline that's lip stick on a pig, lol.

[John-T-53]

15 hours ago, tom'sB2B said:

Was that on 85? It's always a little squirrelly driving on that grooved concrete. 

 Yes it was....

[FarmerJon]

5 hours ago, Sniper said:

Wider front track than rear tends to better handling, though with an Econoline that's lip stick on a pig, lol.

Imagine how bad they would handle if they hadn't had that consideration!

[plymouthcranbrook]

Well I certainly remember seeing cars and trucks back in the 60’s and 70’s doglegging down the road.  Remember when the advice was to try to drive a used car you were looking at through a puddle to see if it tracked straight?

[kencombs]

Lots of broken spring tie bolts!   I don't know why that was so common but I've had the pleasure of changing several.  And, back then it was all breaker bar, socket and ratchet, no good impact tools then.   And the u-bolts threads were never in good shape.