Wheels

Retoohstyoh · Aug 16, 2018

Trying to pick out a set of wheels for my uncut. 2 1/2" sl with 1" bl. Looking at 31 10.50 tires. I like the "Ansen" machined face by American racing. Anyone running these? They are a 15x8 with 3.75" backspacing. Would that work with my set up? I know a 7" would work better but I'm not finding much available in that size. Any other suggestions on what would work for me? Thanks.

DirtDonk · Aug 16, 2018

I don't think that's ideal on an uncut. Your 3.5" of total lift will certainly help, but with anything less than 4" of backspacing you're in true risk of rubbing the rear fenders pretty quick.
You might be tempted to think that 1/4" is pretty close, but even with 4" you're pretty close to rubbing. So some will, and some won't.
With just 3.75" I think most will rub.

However, that's a very popular style of wheel, so undoubtedly some have done it. Maybe they'll see your question and chime in with their experiences.
I have a friend with 8" ProComp wheels with 4" of backspacing, and while they don't rub often, he thinks he hears it now and then under just the right conditions with his 31x10.50's

Good luck. Hopefully I'm wrong and just and old stick-in-the-mud-chicken-little who thinks everything rubs!;D

Paul

Retoohstyoh · Aug 18, 2018

Any other opinions?

bronconut73 · Aug 18, 2018

Not many any of us may comment much after you have been donked.
Paul is the f'n man.

Back to the top of the list.

56f100bbw · Aug 18, 2018

Cj5 wheels 15x7 slotted aluminum

Old Heep factory aluminum wheels about 1977 I think ,15x7 CJ5 4” bs no lift on my bronco on the street never a rear fender rub but off road it did it one time thru a ditch tires are 30:950R15.The front I had a 1/4 “ spacer I painted the centers argent silver . Now I am running ford slots aluminum 15x6 factory wheel 1978 ford truck ,van ,bronco .Good luck the right wheels make the bronco

Retoohstyoh · Aug 18, 2018

Would it help to go to a 16x8 wheel with 4-4.5" backspacing and a 31" or 32" tire?

DirtDonk · Aug 18, 2018

Yes. Definitely. At least with the smaller tire.
Most 32's are wider as well, so you're right back and square-1 where you could rub even with the higher backspace number. At 4.5" though, you might have enough.

You don't need to go to 16 from 15, but it probably does make it easier to find a wheel with more backspacing.
And one more advantage is that the 16" tires are usually the metric sizes that tend to be a little narrower in cross section. Which will help with the clearance.
I would not go over 265 myself, but there are several discussions hereabouts where members recently went to 275 and even 285 tire sizes. Very highly offset wheels though.
You might hunt down those threads to see what backspace they ended up with and just how much clearance they ended up with.

What about 7" wide wheels though? Are they any easier to find in the larger diameter? Or just as scarce in the aftermarket as they are in 15's?
They're out there I know, but it just seems that all the really cool wheels start at 8" or wider, and go up from there.

Good luck.

Paul

Retoohstyoh · Aug 19, 2018

Thanks Paul. You’ve been a huge help. After lots of searching I did find a 15x7, 3.75” bs Method wheel I like. Looking to pair it with a 31 10.50. They also make a 16x8, 4.50 bs that I could mount a 265/75. Basically the same width but 1” taller. Am I correct by thinking the 1” won’t hurt anything?

FOMOCO_1546 · Aug 19, 2018

7"-3.75" backspacing. 31x10.5 tires. I have a 1" body lift, new leaf springs and shocks completely stock. They have never rubbed. I don't go off road though.

DirtDonk · Aug 19, 2018

Retoohstyoh said:
...Am I correct by thinking the 1” won’t hurt anything?

Logically speaking, you're correct. However, this is where we run afoul of the "every bronco is different" gremlin.
The taller tire is where some find that they don't have the clearance at the lower leading edge of the rear wheel well opening.
This is where your lift will help, but for some reason there are some EB's that just don't have the clearance at that one small point and will rub. This is why you read about some having to move their rear axles back 1 to 1.5 inches.
Luckily most don't when running the way you are, but it bears mentioning.

You can see on FOMOCO's beautiful rig how close that one spot is. With a little less lift, or a little taller tire, or if your axle is a tiny bit farther forward, you could see how that clearance would disappear pretty quickly.

Given that his is only a 1" lift however, gives us much hope that yours won't be anywhere close. I think you're good, unless yours is one of the oddballs.
Great looking combo FOMOCO's got right there!

Paul

Retoohstyoh · Aug 19, 2018

Great info. One last question. Will a 15” wheel work for a future disc brake conversion?

bronconut73 · Aug 19, 2018

Retoohstyoh said:
Great info. One last question. Will a 15” wheel work for a future disc brake conversion?

Yes if you stay stock or Chevy conversion.

Some of the more exotic brake options like Wilwood can require a larger wheel but even,Wilwood has kits that fit under a 15" wheel.

FOMOCO_1546 · Aug 20, 2018

I found a stock 1976 front axle and swapped the knuckles off of it. I run 15" wheels. It's close, but no problems.

Jamie Chriss · Aug 21, 2018

Oh my "Donked" that just made me smile!

Dbteak · Aug 21, 2018

No matter how much you stuff the tire into the fender if you go bigger than 31 inch tires you will rub on the front of the fender if you flex it unless you move the axle back. Just toolin around town I would never rub.
Another thing to look at is the price of the tires. You get into the odd metric sizes and the price goes up and selection goes down.

I had no issues stuffing my 31x10.50 inch tires with 15x8 3.75" backspace but they rubbed the front fender when stuffed and under power.

ptwist · Aug 22, 2018

Im in just about the same spot of needing to pick a tire (one day when it runs) but I dont have the body lift. The prior owner had a 32 or 33 on this truck and I can see how it wouldn't rub. The photo was taken about 3 years ago and the truck has not run in 5-6 years so I don't think that it was ever driven with the tires shown. Cant drive it but it looks cool. LOL.

Rustytruck · Aug 23, 2018

Might want to check out this sale since Paul isn't posting it.

https://www.wildhorses4x4.com/category/usmags

DirtDonk · Aug 23, 2018

Thanks!

Paul

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