another wheel and tire thread......great

[jamesrussell26]

ok guys, i know this has been asked before and beat into the ground but........ i just ordered my dropmember today and i will be using 2.5 drop spindles in my 64 short stepper along with a mild dropmember rear.. now heres the question i want to run a 17 or 18 inch wheel no particular reason im open to suggestions obviously. i want to know what kind of backspacing do i have to have front and rearlooking at running a 8 inch wheel in front 9.5 in rear. any help would be greatly appreciated...

[SCOTI]

Disc brakes?
Stock or PB a-arms?
Stock 64 12-bolt?

[jamesrussell26]

yes disc
stock ca for now
and 79 for 9 inch with disc brakes

[SCOTI]

The common BS for a 17 or 18x8.5" front wheel is 5-5.25" on the 63-87 trucks w/stock a-arms.

You're going to have to measure your rear end to determine what you'll need there.

[jamesrussell26]

thats what i have been reading, but i am not seeing that bs in the boss 338
but i am looking for different wheels

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by jamesrussell26

thats what i have been reading, but i am not seeing that bs in the boss 338
but i am looking for different wheels

I believe they offered 5.4" which is pretty close (a little over 1/8" difference).

[jamesrussell26]

everything i have seen so far has been 4.75 just not comfortable enough with that backspacing to pull the trigger on the wheels

[SCOTI]

That's right... the 17's & 18's have different back spacing vs the 20's. I'd stick w/something close to 5" if possible.

[jamesrussell26]

but the big question is 4.74 close enough or do i need to forget the 338s and look for different wheels with a 5 inch + bs

[SCOTI]

The Dropmember pulls the track width in so that helps. If you're not trying to lay the rails, the 4.75"bs would prob work.

I would get the parts installed. Use a stock steel wheel (or whatever you currently have) & measure off of it. This will allow you to be certain of fit & clearances. You're already going to have to do that for the rear....

[jamesrussell26]

your i will have to measure for the rear so i might as well wait on getting the wheels until i'm positive. thank you

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by jamesrussell26

but the big question is 4.74 close enough or do i need to forget the 338s and look for different wheels with a 5 inch + bs

If it were me, I would research going with 20's if you like that wheel. I think you will find that the price difference is minimal, and the looks are much more pleasing.

Its just my opinion, but the more you lower your truck, the wheel size needs to go up accordingly to look proportional. The 17's and 18's look good on stock to slightly lowered trucks. They look too small on a severely dropped truck.

Again, thats my opinion, but it seems to be a pretty popular one.

[jamesrussell26]

not quite going to be laying frame but darn close, i have notice alot of guys here are running 20 or 22 so that may be where i go. i do like the looks of that wheel but it is not cast in stone my any means,i am always looking for something i think is sharp thank you