47-55.1 s10 ZR2 axle - what wheels/tires are you guys using?

[73kay]

Hey guys,

I have a 53 and scored a ZR2 axle with drum brakes 3.73 post etc. It's 63 inches wms. I am piecing together threads to find out what tire/wheel specs I need. Today I have some smoothies 15x7 with 3.25 bs and rubbing. The rear suspension is TCI leaf spring kit that is 4in drop + 3in drop blocks. I am rubbing as it stands. What wheels/tires are you guys using with a ZR2 axle and have a lot of drop? I am looking to stay 15in wheels.

My thought so far is that I need new wheels with at least 4 or more backspacing and some positive offset. Otherwise I will have to start trimming the fender lip and/or switch to a narrower tire like a 225x75.15 (8.85 in width vs 9.25 of the 235x75x15).

Hope I am missing something simple here, below is some nerd math if that helps.




bed box is 50in wide
backspacing for wheels needed is 4 inches (4 x 2 for both sides = 8 inches)
ZR2 is 63
63-8 = 55 inches (2.5 in of the axle sticking out each side of the box)
need clearance to be ~1 in on both sides of the fender, so need to bring the wheels in towards the bed another 1in at least?

[73kay]

Some pix

[whitedog76]

I have a 3/4 ton truck, but the rearend in them is 62-63" wide. I had some 4.25" backspace rims with 245 tires on them with plenty of clearance to go around. I also had a 4.6 backspace rim at one point that fit good also. Of course, the 3/4 ton sits a little higher than the 1/2 tons which makes a difference.

[mr48chev]

That is the trouble with a rear axle over about 61.25 is that you can't get reverse wheels to fit inside the fenders. 60 or less and you have to watch the back spacing real close.

This go around it is a decision on if you are willing to give up the perfect wheels for that truck, swap rear ends for one a couple of inches narrower. Or change the rear fenders to wider fenders. Hogfarm had a pair of as perfect as you will find wide fiberglass rear fenders but may have sold them already.

[73kay]

Thanks for the responses. I originally wanted a 4wd (not zr2) but didn’t have my tape measure with me when I got it. Only $150 and maybe it will still work. Now that I keep lowering it my clearance is a lot tighter.

[dsraven]

a 4x4 axle is waay esier to find than a zr2 axle. maybe you can swap somebody. or find a 4x4 axle at the pick n pull

[whitedog76]

Isn't the Zr2 an 8.5 30 spline axle, vs. 7.5 in the standard S10? I would stick with the Zr2.

[dsraven]

whaddya got for power and trans?
you could always try a ford 8.8 if youre running bigger power on a budget. explorers have 31 spline axles, discs, a decent park brake and are comparable to the GM 12 bolt for strength. explorers have an offset center but if the dimensions are right you can shorten the long side to be the same as the short side and use another short axle. more work though
try to get the track width you want so you can get the wheels/look you want with a wheel that isn't gonna be a special 1 off.

[dsraven]

it's like building a house. get the foundation right for what the end result is gonna be, then build on top of the foundation. otherwise you end up changing other stuff to accomodate. sometimes that ends up costing more time and money.

[hogfarm]

Originally Posted by mr48chev

That is the trouble with a rear axle over about 61.25 is that you can't get reverse wheels to fit inside the fenders. 60 or less and you have to watch the back spacing real close.

This go around it is a decision on if you are willing to give up the perfect wheels for that truck, swap rear ends for one a couple of inches narrower. Or change the rear fenders to wider fenders. Hogfarm had a pair of as perfect as you will find wide fiberglass rear fenders but may have sold them already.

The fenders I had sold quick to a local guy. I had the wheels I wanted to use, it took me hours with a tape measure, trying to fit the wheels under the stock fenders. I will finish the tubs today, then fenders and tubs off to the painter

[dsraven]

hogfarm makes a great point. if you ever have to swap a tire on the side of the road you may need a bunch of blocking so you can jack the truck up off the frame enough to get the wheel out. especially if the axle is kinda wide for the truck.
it's your truck and your wallet so do whats best for you.

[73kay]

I think I got a solution. Found some 15x7s with 4in backspacing and also went with a slightly narrower tire (225x70x15) and I got better clearance. I can always roll the lip a bit but guessing I have 1/2 in of clearance or so.

One of the benefits is the new wheels mount to the s10 axle bolt pattern (5x4.75) as well as the ford/dodge 5x4.5. Earlier I was open to have two separate wheels.

As for powertrain, I have a rebuilt 235 and a t5. Nothing killer but I want suspension and axles to be done and ready if I ever decide to get a v8. I’ll post some pix after I get them installed.
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[73kay]

Just want to follow up in case this is useful for future visitors.

I ended up getting 15x7 w/ 4in backspacing and it worked for me. I did end up using 225/70/15s ~8.75 inch tire width and had clearance. I used the baseball bat fender lip roll to add some more breathing space. I wasn't too set on thick wheels or tubbing, pretty happy with the results. Thanks for all the help.

[joedoh]

thats a good fit!