Another "Widest Wheel" tire thread

[tazattitude]

Sorry guys...I have to ask....

I did find these threads along with some others, but really didn't see the same setup as I have which is is pretty stock but lowered and with disc brakes

My truck and setup
1966 C-10 shortbed-fleetside
Back will be lowered 7" (I saw alot of wide tire/wheel combos, but most seemed to be on a stock height setup)
Using the stock 12 bolt rear with a disc brake setup (not the stock drum. Not for sure if this changes the wide of the rear).

Soooo, my question is the widest tire/wheel with backspacing I can go.
Is 10 or 10.5 possible wide with 4.5 backspacing possible

I did see a members truck (turquoise in color) which I believe had 10" wide wheels with 275 tires, but had to trim the flare which I wouldn't mind doing if needed. That's a WIDE flare (about 1 1/2" wide or so) on the Fleetsides.


Thanks in advance

[lakeroadster]

You can stuff huge tires and wheels in the rear if you go custom wheels with a lot of backspacing.

I can't help you with specifics as I have a stepside on mine.

Check out this build thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=322819 This guy fit 15x14 Corvette Rallys with M/T 18.5's in the back of a '67.

[SCOTI]

10" wheels w/the right back spacing should fit but the BS will be the critical point. Another thing is your rear disc throws a curve requiring you to verify what will fit vs. suggestions (unless the suggestion is the exact same rear disc kit, 7" rear drop, & fleetside combo).

What wheels do you have now (size, BS, & tire size)?

[vin63]

As SCOTI mentioned, the backspacing will be key with your set up. I would take the time to make the measurements on your combination. I've fit 12" and 14" wide wheels on a couple of past build ups. I currently run a 16X12 wheel combo with disc brakes...
First mock up:


Bed back on:

[roofingbloke]

This is very interesting indeed, as i am just about to order my wheel/tyre combo in time for next summer, i have a 63 c10 longbed fleetside, i have allways wanted to squeeze in some 20" x 12" all my mates tell me to go with 20 x 10s but i really like the deep dish look,

What do you guys think ??

[tazattitude]

Originally Posted by SCOTI

10" wheels w/the right back spacing should fit but the BS will be the critical point. Another thing is your rear disc throws a curve requiring you to verify what will fit vs. suggestions (unless the suggestion is the exact same rear disc kit, 7" rear drop, & fleetside combo).

What wheels do you have now (size, BS, & tire size)?

I have absolutely nothing right now....just rails in the back right now (see my updates link in the sig)

I back-halved my last c-10 and fit 19.5 wide tires and lowered it 8+"


@vin63 - Very nice. Looking at your truck, looks like you can fit anything. Just got to trim the bed and widen the tubs.
Looks like it's going to be a mighty fine truck!!!!

[tazattitude]

This will be the disc brake setup I will be going with on the stock width 12 bolt.

Guess I should and until I get the rear done, then measure it and compare it to the stock drum brake and go from there.

What is the width of a stock drum 12 bolt? I thought I saw 62" on a 1966. Then in 67, the rear went 1 1/2" wider.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by tazattitude

.... Looking at your truck, looks like you can fit anything. Just got to trim the bed and widen the tubs.

Ok, apparently your statement was slightly vague. I interpeted it as "what's the widest that will fit w/o modifying anything".

On truck arm suspensions, you can squeeze 15" wide wheels in the rear w/tubs & cutting the floor away.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by tazattitude

This will be the disc brake setup I will be going with on the stock width 12 bolt.

Guess I should and until I get the rear done, then measure it and compare it to the stock drum brake and go from there.

What is the width of a stock drum 12 bolt? I thought I saw 62" on a 1966. Then in 67, the rear went 1 1/2" wider.

It's 62" thru mid 1970. At some point during the year, the wider housings started being manufactured so mid 70 thru 87 were the ~64" widths.

[lakeroadster]

Originally Posted by tazattitude

Guess I should (wait) ... until I get the rear done, then measure it and compare it to the stock drum brake and go from there.

Exactly! Use the advice you get here as a starting point but always measure your specific parts to determine what space you have and what backspacing you need.

Even though our trucks were built on an assembly line there are still variances. Not to mention over 40 years of use, abuse and possible PO changes.

Keep us in the loop as things progress!

[gimmy 64]

i have 275-60-15 on 8 inch corvette style rally wheels. mine is gmc so has leaf springs and no mods. still have about a fingers with between fender and tire. truck is only lowered about 3 inches in back right now.

[tazattitude]

Thanks again for all the advice...especially Scotti... and all the other great posts.
Yes, at first I was talking about widths only on stock bed, frame and tubs (I was thinking the frame came before the tubs and bedside, but I guess not looking at the pics that vin63 posted, so this opened up some ideas).
The pics of vin63 just gave me a very good ideas of the 'frame to the lip of the bed' of the fleetside. LOT's of room. Just have to manage that space wisely as you all have said.

Possibly the 20x10.5's on 275/45/20 might be in the works.
Maybe on the Foose Nitrous.

Thanks again!!!

By the way...though I back-halve my last C-10, I want to keep this frame stock, BUT I did add a C-notch which of course really has nothing to do with the width of the wheels, just lowering.

[rockvette]

I am running 17x12 with a 9" back space on a stepside. Tire size is 31x18.5x17

[vin63]

Originally Posted by tazattitude

I have absolutely nothing right now....just rails in the back right now (see my updates link in the sig)

I back-halved my last c-10 and fit 19.5 wide tires and lowered it 8+"


@vin63 - Very nice. Looking at your truck, looks like you can fit anything. Just got to trim the bed and widen the tubs.
Looks like it's going to be a mighty fine truck!!!!

Nice '66 you got there, and I remember your '63 quite well. From a chassis builder's perspective, I can't stress enough to mock everything up at ride height (with all sheetmetal attached and brakes assembled) and make your measurements, including the mounting surface of the rotor in case you need to run a spacer to clear the calipers, etc. For instance, I am running a vintage 16x12 wheel and I needed to run an 1/8" spacer for the wheel to clear the caliper...so, I had to make my measurements with the spacer. You can see where if it is not a late style wheel, it will contact the caliper without a spacer:

[tazattitude]

Yea, I think I'll get everything bolted up and take measurements. I have everything on the way (tubular trailing arms, disc brake kit). I still need to get the rear rebuilt with posi and the new gears.

Hope to report back in about a month.

You're gonna have a sharp lookin truck there vin63.

[vin63]

Thanks! That would be the best approach just to make sure nothing gets overlooked...those 1/16 and 1/8 inches here and there add up quickly. Here is what my rear tire and wheel combination looks like. The other thing I did beside notching the bed wood inboard is I raised the bed floor up about an inch to help clear the 31" tires and the rear end housing center section.

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by tazattitude

I thought I saw 62" on a 1966. Then in 67, the rear went 1 1/2" wider.

Originally Posted by SCOTI

It's 62" thru mid 1970. At some point during the year, the wider housings started being manufactured so mid 70 thru 87 were the ~64" widths.

Guys can someone clarify this for me? I know the year breaks on the axles but still not clear on the width. Was the early axle 62" and later 64"? I have always heard they are 3/4" narrower each side for 1.50" overall. Is this correct, or is it 2" narrower?

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

Guys can someone clarify this for me? I know the year breaks on the axles but still not clear on the width. Was the early axle 62" and later 64"? I have always heard they are 3/4" narrower each side for 1.50" overall. Is this correct, or is it 2" narrower?

Pre to mid 70 housings are 62" WMS to WMS (I measured the 12-bolt that was in my 68). The width then increased .750 each side which puts them @ 63.5" but I list them as ~64". I verified the increased length by measuring a 71-72 12-bolt & one of the spare 73-87 12-bolt housings.

[N2TRUX]

Ok, that's what I thought. It just threw me when you said 64" which made it 2" narrower. If they were actually 2" I want one for my 77. Anyone need a 12 bolt thats narrowed 6"...

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

Ok, that's what I thought. It just threw me when you said 64" which made it 2" narrower. If they were actually 2" I want one for my 77. Anyone need a 12 bolt thats narrowed 6"...

I need one, it's the $$ that's stopping me. If it doesn't sell @ your asking price, maybe we can work something out in the future or a partial swap.