Best overall wheel size

[Dinosaur]

After several years of wishing and then a few more searching, I have picked up my first bronco. It is a 77 uncut that has been parked for about two years. It was stripped to be painted and never put back together. I will be adding a 3 1/2 suspension lift and have not yet decided on cut or uncut but leaning toward cut. What is the best size tire/wheel combo to give it a good stance. I was thinking 16" wheels with the equivalent of a 32 tire. Also what is the required offset and backspacing?

 

[Apogee]

No such thing as "best", but you should get plenty of opinions on the matter. In general, tire selection and options have been steadily decreasing in the 15" and 16" sizes while they've been increasing in the 17" and up sizes, however tire costs tend to go up with wheel diameter.

What's your definition of a "good stance"?

Offset and backspacing are two ways to measure the same thing, the location of the wheel mounting pad relative to either the centerline of the wheel or the inner wheel lip. Most would agree that 3.50" to 3.75" BS on a '77 is about that max before you get into the steering arms/tie-rod ends with the wheel, and that's assuming you don't run lip weights for balancing.

Welcome to the forum.

 

[ep67bro]

I like 15' x 8" x 3.50" back spacing with a 33x12.50 wide tire but I am more old school with the look of my trucks. You could go as wide as 10" and as big as 16" wheel and still be "classic" looking.

There are people with alot bigger wheels but its a matter of taste.

 

[blubuckaroo]

I've found that LT type tires handle better on my Bronco than the old floatation type I had on 15" wheels. I use 265-75-16 tires and it rides better than ever. The issue is 16" & 17" wheels are usually backspaced quite a bit and can be a problem with the wider knuckles on 76/77s. I only needed to grind off the forging flash from the tie rod ends to clear the rims. I also installed 1.5" spacers to keep the tires away from the radius arms.

 

[77BRONKOTN]

Most would agree that 3.50" to 3.75" BS on a '77

For a 15 inch wheel the above applies to a 76/77

A 16 inch wheel with 4.5 Backspace or less, WILL fit a 76/77. But, you wont be running a 12.50 tire because of the radius arms.

I have some 16x7 E150 Wheels. They are 4.5 backspace and I have put them on the front (My 1977) with NO tire. The wheel clears the tie rod enough. 5 inch would probably hit the tie rod with the bead part of the wheel.

***update on my wheels***

I'm running E150 2004/05/06 16x7 4.5 BS with 285/75/r16 (33/11.4) on my 1977. They fit fine and there is minimum rub at full lock on the radius arms. I'm happy.

 

[rguest3]

I have had a couple 77s and installed 17x9 wheels with a 4.75 Backspacing. No clearance issues what so ever. 305x65x17 tires were installed as well.

17s seem to be the safe bet for clearance and there are more size options as well.

If you do decide to remain to have the Uncut fenders, I installed a WH 2 1/2" lift and 1" body lift on my current 69. I have 17x8" wheels with 4.5" back spacing and 265x70x17s installed. All fits very nice with NO clearance issues at all. I took some pictures of this install today and will post pictures soon to my Gallery if interested.

Hope this helps.

 

[Dinosaur]

Thanks for the info., definitely helpful and would be glad to see pics. Thanks Again

 

[Dinosaur]

I guess instead of stance I should've said that I'm building mostly for looks or multi purpose not for climbing or mud (necessarily). Don't really care for the super wide tires either. Thanks for all of the info.

 

[Dinosaur]

Hey Guys, looking at a 16x8 with a 4 or 4.25 backspacing and a LT285/75/16 which is 33 by 11.3. Think they will clear?

 

[rguest3]

Don't think they will clear.

265x70x17s (31x10.7 actual size installed on Bronco) are the largest I would install with 4.5" backspacing. Have these posted in the Photo Gallery on my 69 if you want to take a look. (Same overall lift too)

16s mentioned are about an inch taller and 1/2" wider. Wheel choice would need additional backspacing as well.

33x1050s on a stock style wheel should fit.