Hello, I have a 77 front end and need to get a wheel and tire setup to change to uncut rear quarters with a 2.5" lift. The Wheels I'm looking at come in 15x8-4"bs, 15x7-4"bs, or 15x6-3.75"bs. The tires I'd like to run are 31x10.50. I don't mind rolling the lip in on the back, or even trying to pull it out a little, or perhaps even a 1" body lift (I'd rather not). Would my best option be to get the 15x7-4" backspacing and run a thin pair of spacers on the front? Is there a wheel spec out there that I can clear the front rod ends while still clearing 10.50's in the rear without spacers? Thanks
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Backspacing: Clearing 77 Knuckles / Tucking Uncut Rears
- Thread starter tabyers
- Start date
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- Nov 3, 2003
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- 48,235
Probably any of those wheel choices would fit the rear with the 10.50" wide tires. But the 8's would be pretty tight.
So my personal choice would be the 7's for the look and clearance in the rear, and whatever spacer is needed to clear the steering arm/tie-rod end in the front.
Because every wheel is made differently (different lip profiles for instance) you might even find that the 4" backspacing is not a big deal on yours. It most likely is going to be one of course (probably an 85% chance of rubbing) but you never know for sure until you try it.
The 6's with 3.75 backspace would fit the rear too of course and be even easier to make fit the front. But you still have a chance of rubbing (less, but still a chance) the tie-rod ends and are limiting yourself in tire size and may not get the look you're after.
What wheels are they? Got links to the brand and style?
The lift is not really a factor here with just 31" tires, though it does open up some room in the rear if you ever decide to go larger, such as a 33x10.50 or something like that.
Paul
So my personal choice would be the 7's for the look and clearance in the rear, and whatever spacer is needed to clear the steering arm/tie-rod end in the front.
Because every wheel is made differently (different lip profiles for instance) you might even find that the 4" backspacing is not a big deal on yours. It most likely is going to be one of course (probably an 85% chance of rubbing) but you never know for sure until you try it.
The 6's with 3.75 backspace would fit the rear too of course and be even easier to make fit the front. But you still have a chance of rubbing (less, but still a chance) the tie-rod ends and are limiting yourself in tire size and may not get the look you're after.
What wheels are they? Got links to the brand and style?
The lift is not really a factor here with just 31" tires, though it does open up some room in the rear if you ever decide to go larger, such as a 33x10.50 or something like that.
Paul
My prior '77 wheels were 15x8 alloys with 3.75" backspace, with only enough room for stick-on weights. I don't see how another quarter inch of backspace would work. I had 31x10.5 tires which hit the uncut and unrolled rear fenders when going over speed bumps, cutting a shallow groove in the tire. (This with a 2.5" suspension lift.)
I replaced all that with 16x7 steelies with 4" backspace and 235/85R16 tires, and I have much more clearance around the tierod ends and the rear fender (no rubbing.)
I remember a thread a year or two ago where someone went with15x7 wheel vintiques with 4" backspace, using quarter inch spacers in front... Here it is: http://classicbroncos.com/forums/showpost.php?p=2826462&postcount=8
I replaced all that with 16x7 steelies with 4" backspace and 235/85R16 tires, and I have much more clearance around the tierod ends and the rear fender (no rubbing.)
I remember a thread a year or two ago where someone went with15x7 wheel vintiques with 4" backspace, using quarter inch spacers in front... Here it is: http://classicbroncos.com/forums/showpost.php?p=2826462&postcount=8
The Wheel Vintiques were what I was looking at. I have issues with weights clearance as well and was talking to Knack on here. He seems to have the look I'm headed towards and he's running 16's. So that looks like a definite possibility. I'd loose my dog dishes though I think. I'll have to look into that now. Thanks for the info. I'll try to set up for 7".
blubuckaroo
Grease Monkey
You may be better off with 16" wheels. It's hard to find a 16" wheel without a positive offset. My last set of 16X8 wheels would have fit nicely in an uncut and cleared the tie rods on my '77.
Do you remember what offset the were? I'm looking around for 16x7 3.5" steelies but they apparently aren't flooding the market with them. I'd like to run my 10-1/4" ish dog dishes too but I'm not sure if that's going to happen either. Thanks for the info.
blubuckaroo
Grease Monkey
They were 16X8 Cragar steel wheels. They had a 5" backspace.
Iam running 31x10.5 on 15x7 slots on a 76 with 2.5" of lift. I had to put spacers on the front to clear the knuckles. No rubbing in the back. I think the slots have 4" of backspacing.
Beautiful truck, landshark99! I love that color. So clean.
I like summitracing.com's search capabilities. This is the list of 16x7 5x5.5 with 4" backspace wheels that I considered, before ultimately choosing the old-fashioned white spokes: https://www.summitracing.com/search...4294920837&SortBy=Default&SortOrder=Ascending
But none of those will work with the stock hubcaps, I'm afraid.
I like summitracing.com's search capabilities. This is the list of 16x7 5x5.5 with 4" backspace wheels that I considered, before ultimately choosing the old-fashioned white spokes: https://www.summitracing.com/search...4294920837&SortBy=Default&SortOrder=Ascending
But none of those will work with the stock hubcaps, I'm afraid.
WheelHorse
Bronco Guru
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While we are talking about rims, why didn't US Mags make the 5 slots in 16"?
I feel like the 15", while original, the tire sizes are starting to trickle down in a non-Reagan fashion and the 17's are just a little too big to look right on an otherwise almost stock LUBR.
I feel like the 15", while original, the tire sizes are starting to trickle down in a non-Reagan fashion and the 17's are just a little too big to look right on an otherwise almost stock LUBR.
blubuckaroo
Grease Monkey
I just replaced my 16" wheels and went back to 15".
I was having a problem finding good off-road tires in 16" that weren't 10 ply rated. I can't see putting heavy truck tires on a vehicle this light.
I was having a problem finding good off-road tires in 16" that weren't 10 ply rated. I can't see putting heavy truck tires on a vehicle this light.
I like the look of the 16's on tall skinny tires and there seems to be more choice in super aggressive, super skinny tires in 16. Plus it relieves some backspace/ clearance issues lubers with 76/76 knuckles. But the only ones I can find that will run a dog dish cap are $235 a piece.
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I only use 10ply. They last so much longer. If you are rock crawling then they might not be a good idea since they aren't soft.
- Joined
- Nov 3, 2003
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Depends on what your goal is. But yes, for a better street ride, the 6-ply would be more desirable.
As you saw, duffy's results with the stiffer tires have been good for him in the wear department. Also would probably be a little more direct-feeling around corners perhaps.
But given the choice, I personally would always choose the 6-ply lighter duty tire for a Bronco.
Depending on the tire design, you should not lose any stability but would gain a smoother ride. There would be certain occasions when a softer tire might be more "squiggy" on the road. But in the sizes and brands we usually have to choose from, I don't see that being an issue.
All of my tires have been C-rated and I've never had one that didn't track straight and true.
Well, except for the dreaded Thornbirds that are on there now just holding the truck up while I save up for better ones. And just about any tire would qualify in that regard.
Paul
As you saw, duffy's results with the stiffer tires have been good for him in the wear department. Also would probably be a little more direct-feeling around corners perhaps.
But given the choice, I personally would always choose the 6-ply lighter duty tire for a Bronco.
Depending on the tire design, you should not lose any stability but would gain a smoother ride. There would be certain occasions when a softer tire might be more "squiggy" on the road. But in the sizes and brands we usually have to choose from, I don't see that being an issue.
All of my tires have been C-rated and I've never had one that didn't track straight and true.
Well, except for the dreaded Thornbirds that are on there now just holding the truck up while I save up for better ones. And just about any tire would qualify in that regard.
Paul
