Wheel size to clear disk brakes

[boomeroid]

So I installed the aftermarket front and rear disk brake kits and I've been reading the different post about 17' wheels and back-spacing.

I'm wanting to know if I can get enough clearance using 16' wheels. I'm expecting to mount 35x12.5 tires (315/75R16)

I have about 3.5" SL and 1" BL and cut fenders. It will be driven most days on road and off-road on weekends.

Any input would be great!

 

[Viperwolf1]

It's really going to depend on the brake kits and the actual wheels. Best bet is to test fit the wheel you like. Some aftermarket brake kits say 17" minimum wheel diameter.

 

[boomeroid]

Thanks, sounds like I'll have to do some fitamentarism.

 

[Whoaa]

Tire selection choices are important, today and 5 years from now. There are more choice's for 17" wheels.

 

[1975 BRONCO]

15" Old School Aluminum Slots

Sorry to hijack, but I have the same question. Has any body tried any of the Dana 44 disc conversions and ran 15" slots?

 

[Broncobowsher]

I will refer back to Viper in post #2

It's really going to depend on the brakes and the wheels. Do you have any idea how many different versions of slots there are?

 

[SteveL]

I run 15 X 10 on the 66 and 15 X 8 on my 72. Both have ford disc up front and caddy calipers in the rear. I think wildwood offers a kit for 15 or a larger kit that requires a 17 rim.

 

[DuctTape]

I run 15x10 slots with 3.5" backspacing with the wh disk upgrades (stock 44 knuckles) and they clear no problem.

 

[DirtDonk]

For those with the most common disc kits from the Bronco vendors, they're using factory stuff that worked with 15" wheels in their original form, so should work just fine on a Bronco.
As was said though, if they're something other than those, all bets are off. We sell Wilwood kits that will also work fine with 15" wheels, and some that are only compatible with 18" or larger wheels.

So for boomaroid and 1975, depends on which aftermarket kits you're talking about.
For 1975, lots of members here running old-school slots, but here again, there are some that might not work. However, "most" that have the proper 5 on 5.5 bolt circle, and the larger center bore will "usually" work just fine.

The advice to test fit is best though. Just helped a friend install a set last year and had to grind down a tiny bit off of his front brake kit caliper brackets to fit inside the wheel. I'm pretty sure that his particular brackets had a slight deformation that wasn't normal, but that's no guarantee someone else won't run into the same issue.

Here's another friend with all the same brakes, same size wheels (but different style), and no issue at all:


Paul

 

[Green76]

For those with the most common disc kits from the Bronco vendors, they're using factory stuff that worked with 15" wheels in their original form, so should work just fine on a Bronco.
As was said though, if they're something other than those, all bets are off. We sell Wilwood kits that will also work fine with 15" wheels, and some that are only compatible with 18" or larger wheels.

So for boomaroid and 1975, depends on which aftermarket kits you're talking about.
For 1975, lots of members here running old-school slots, but here again, there are some that might not work. However, "most" that have the proper 5 on 5.5 bolt circle, and the larger center bore will "usually" work just fine.

The advice to test fit is best though. Just helped a friend install a set last year and had to grind down a tiny bit off of his front brake kit caliper brackets to fit inside the wheel. I'm pretty sure that his particular brackets had a slight deformation that wasn't normal, but that's no guarantee someone else won't run into the same issue.

Here's another friend with all the same brakes, same size wheels (but different style), and no issue at all:
View attachment 357307

Paul

Hey Paul,
I love the looks of the blue lubr wheel setup, can you give me the particulars on the wheels? I know you said they were 15 inch diameter, how about the make, backspacing and overall width? Thanks,
Jeff

 

[DirtDonk]

Sure thing Jeff.
Those are from Pro-Comp. Should be easy to look up, but don't remember the model number.
15x8 size, and backspacing unknown because my buddy didn't bother to look and threw away the boxes the same day he got them!
I had strongly suggested 7" wheels, but he found a good deal on these and liked the wider look anyway.

One of these days I'm going to take a tape to them, but my guess would be that they're only about 3.5" to 3.75" backspace wheels. Simply judging by the look of the "dish" vs the thickness of the centers, and how they're literally just barely fitting the rear fenders with 31x10.50x15 tires.
While it is just barely, they DO fit, and in about 1500 miles or so of street running, he has not had any rubbing situations whatsoever.

Paul

 

[Green76]

Sure thing Jeff.
Those are from Pro-Comp. Should be easy to look up, but don't remember the model number.
15x8 size, and backspacing unknown because my buddy didn't bother to look and threw away the boxes the same day he got them!
I had strongly suggested 7" wheels, but he found a good deal on these and liked the wider look anyway.

One of these days I'm going to take a tape to them, but my guess would be that they're only about 3.5" to 3.75" backspace wheels. Simply judging by the look of the "dish" vs the thickness of the centers, and how they're literally just barely fitting the rear fenders with 31x10.50x15 tires.
While it is just barely, they DO fit, and in about 1500 miles or so of street running, he has not had any rubbing situations whatsoever.

Paul

Thank ya!