Looking for a particular size tire and rim...

[Hazieview]

My truck is dropped 2.5" front/4" back using spindles and hangers/shackles.

I want a wheel and tire combo that isn't ALL Wheel (20s) or ALL tire (15s)

Right now my truck has an equal amount of wheel and tire but see that big huge gap in between the tire and the fender well? That just doesn't look good to me. I want the tire stop right at the fenderwell.



Well what do you think? What size wheels and tires should I get? Trying to keep it custom but stay classic.

[Cherub]

try a 17 or 18 in wheel and a 50 series tire. If thats not what you have on it already, but it looks like a 16....

[piecesparts]

Look at a 17" by 8" rim for the front of the truck with a tire around a 255/50/17 to 275/50/17 size. Those are 27" and 28" tall tires for reference. The back can be a 17" by 9" rim with a 275/50/17 or 285/50/17" tire (28" and 28.3" tires)and that would work out quite well.

[Tony_SS]

Originally Posted by piecesparts

Look at a 17" by 8" rim for the front of the truck with a tire around a 255/50/17 to 275/50/17 size. Those are 27" and 28" tall tires for reference. The back can be a 17" by 9" rim with a 275/50/17 or 285/50/17" tire (28" and 28.3" tires)and that would work out quite well.

x2, that's what I was going to say. But the only thing I don't like about going to 17's is that braking ability will suffer, not to mention the brakes show more through the wheels and look puny.

I'm looking at keeping my 15's and going to a 275/60 (28" tall) but then again I like the 'big tire' look since I have a stock height.

[chevymotocross]

What do you have on there now, 50 series tires? I bet if you go with a 60 series, maybe a 255/60 front and 275/60 rear, you will be impressed, and you won't have to buy new rims (unless you want to).

A 60 series tire on your 15'' wheel is by no means an "ALL TIRE" look. Plenty of rim still stands out.

[Boog]

Have you tried using one of the wheel visualizers available online from the wheel companies to see what size wheel and tire you would prefer?
Have a look at this one.
http://www.newstalgiawheel.com/wheel_visualizer.asp

You click to see different type, style and size wheels and tires on many different types of vehicles with stock ride height, dropped and different paint colors to get a better idea of what your ride will look like.
It might help you.
Using this viewer I think your truck will look good with a Cragar SS in 16x7 or 16x8 with a 275/60 tire and your present drop. JMO

I went up to the post a pic of your ride thread and there are several pages of good looking trucks with all kinds of styles and size wheels and tires and I picked this one as what I thought was close to the look you are looking for.
Fellow member Classic 87 with 17x8 and 17x9.5 wheels with 255/60 and 275/60 tires. Check em out.

[Pyrotechnic]

I agree, 275/60/15 would be a great size. I think that BFGoodrich Radial T/A's look best in that size.

[Slonaker]

255/70/15 on 15X8 wheels and dropped 2.5/4 if it helps any...



Slonaker

[flamingbig10]

you could go lower,a 6-8 would have the front tires almost tuck in the front and the back would be

[piecesparts]

Originally Posted by Tony_SS

x2, that's what I was going to say. But the only thing I don't like about going to 17's is that braking ability will suffer, not to mention the brakes show more through the wheels and look puny.

I'm looking at keeping my 15's and going to a 275/60 (28" tall) but then again I like the 'big tire' look since I have a stock height.

Why would braking ability suffer? The height of the tire is what changes your braking aspect, not the wheel size. The 275/60/15 tire is the same diameter as the 275/50/17, the difference is the sidewall exposed. The exposure of your brakes is easy to control with dust shields (Front and back wheels) and they can be purchased just about anywhere. Besides that, you could paint the disc brake caliper and make them stand out, rather than hide them.

[Tony_SS]

Originally Posted by piecesparts

Why would braking ability suffer? The height of the tire is what changes your braking aspect, not the wheel size. The 275/60/15 tire is the same diameter as the 275/50/17, the difference is the sidewall exposed. The exposure of your brakes is easy to control with dust shields (Front and back wheels) and they can be purchased just about anywhere. Besides that, you could paint the disc brake caliper and make them stand out, rather than hide them.

The size of the wheel does matter and it directly effects braking ability. Even thought the tire diameters are the same, the braking ability will diminish when you increase the rotational mass from a 15" wheel to a 17" wheel. It's night and day difference and when you experience it first hand you'll see. That's also why Corvette's run 13-14" brakes behind 19" wheels.

[boatpuller]

225/55/17 in front...........275/55/17 in rear

[piecesparts]

Believe me the rotational mass of the 17" aluminum wheels, on my truck is much less than the rotational mass of the steel 15" wheels that were on it before. Granted the mass is approximatel a 1" radius further out, the weight of the wheel is so much more less and the affect is so minimal that you would not see it. However, you slap a larger tire on that 15" wheel and the weight of the rubber becomes paramount in your calculation of the mass and it will amaze you with the result. That is why the guys with monster mudder tires on their 4X4s cannot stop. This is basically an insignificant item in these sizes. My DD just went from the 17" tires and rims to the old 15" tires and rims for winter and the stopping has not changed in any appreciable amount.

[Tony_SS]

Yes I am in agreement with you about a larger tire having a negative effect on braking.

But, even if the 17" wheel weights the same as the 15" wheel, its all about where there weight is. Moving that weight out 2" makes it harder for the same brake setup to stop that, thus a larger diameter wheel will have a negative effect on braking.

Also, putting dust shields behind the wheels to hide the brakes might only make it worse as it would restrict any airflow that's essential to cool the brakes.

[Malo83]

275/50/15 tires on 15x9 rims, 4/5 Drop

[piecesparts]

Originally Posted by Tony_SS

Yes I am in agreement with you about a larger tire having a negative effect on braking.

But, even if the 17" wheel weights the same as the 15" wheel, its all about where there weight is. Moving that weight out 2" makes it harder for the same brake setup to stop that, thus a larger diameter wheel will have a negative effect on braking.

Also, putting dust shields behind the wheels to hide the brakes might only make it worse as it would restrict any airflow that's essential to cool the brakes.

OK with me---however, it works with my setup and I have it on two different years of trucks and I have had no issues. Good Luck

[f.monroe]

Here are a couple of mine . Front is lowered with 2.5inch spindles and 1 inch coils. Rear is lowered with 4 inch drop leafs and another inch using shackles . Front rims are 17x8 with 4.5"backspace and a 255/55/17 tire at 28 inches tall . Rear is a 17x10 with 4.5" backspace and a 275/60/17 tire at 30" in height .

[f.monroe]

This is the tan truck I sold in August . It was lowered 2.5/4 and running 18 inch wheels with the same tire sizes as on my black truck .
Frank

[Tony_SS]

Originally Posted by f.monroe

Here are a couple of mine . Front is lowered with 2.5inch spindles and 1 inch coils. Rear is lowered with 4 inch drop leafs and another inch using shackles . Front rims are 17x8 with 4.5"backspace and a 255/55/17 tire at 28 inches tall . Rear is a 17x10 with 4.5" backspace and a 275/60/17 tire at 30" in height .

What brand of tire are you running? I have never heard of a 275/60-17 tire. It looks great BTW.