backspacing

[wardee1977]

I am looking at a set of used 15" wheels that are 3.75" backspacing. Just wondering if 15x8 would fit under a 4/6 drop with 255/60/15 tires. Also the rears are 15x10 with a 275/60/15. I don't know if that is enough backspacing to fit under the fender. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

[swb85]

I think you'll be fine up front. Stock 15x8's are 4" backspace I think, so your wheels will only "stick out" 1/4" more. It'll be close in the rear though....will probably sit pretty flush with the fender.

[joe1982]

the rears should fit if you have at least 4.5'' of bs. i had 15x10's out back not too long ago with 5'' bs an they were perfect.

[wardee1977]

That sucks. Oh well. I guess I will be on the lookout for somthing in the 4.5 to 5" backspace range. I have found that most old school wheels tend to be in the 3.75 to 4" backspace range. I appreciate the help fellas.

[wardee1977]

Ok, I found some cheap wheels that should work. They are black aero wheels. 15x8 fronts with 4" backspacing and 15x10 rears with 5" backspacing. You guys think I will be pretty safe with a 255/60/15 on the front with a 4/6 drop? I was going with a McGaughys 4/6 drop kit. By the way, this is not my truck, jsut a pic of one I found on here with same style wheels.

[joe1982]

yeah they will be fine, run them!! I like those wheels brotha. a 255/60r15 will be just fine man. here is a pic of mine when the front was still at a 5.5'' front drop. no issues what so ever.

[wardee1977]

Thanks very much for the help. This site is a lifesaver.

[Conundrum]

If it were me, with the 8 & 10 inch wheels I would go with 235/60s front and 295/50s rear. 275/60s never looked right when stretched onto a 10 inch wheel, to me anyway. Just my $.02.

And according to this http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html you would only throw your speedo off by 3 mph.

[wardee1977]

thanks for the input. The 235's aren't as wide as the 255's. I wonder if they would look alright on the 15x8 rim. This guy has 255's on the front and 275/60's on the rear. I see what you mean buy the 295's being a better fit. I really like the looks of this truck. Too bad mine is a shortbox '77. Oh well.

[Conundrum]

235/60s work well on an 8" wheel, I had them on the fornt of my 78 firebird in highschool. The main reason I suggested them was the are a little shorter than the 255s, but I looked a little more and the 255s are less than a half inch taller than the 295s and I doubt anyone would notice.

[wardee1977]

Thanks again. I did some reading and the section width of the 235 is only .58" narrower than the 255. I think i would go with the 235 instead. Need to get xmas out of the way so I can start buying some goodies with out the wifey complaining.

[Slammed '87]

I ran a 15 x 10 on the rear of my bagged truck for awhile. They were 4" backspacing, but i had to run a 265/50/15 tire, and i had to trim the inner fender lip. They were a TIGHT fit! Unless you order custom wheels with custom backspacing it is hard to find a wheel that will tuck.

[piecesparts]

The wheels in the picture are 15X8 with a 3.75 backspacing and they fit fine with a 3 1/2" front and 4" rear drop on this 1984 GMC truck. The wheels are now on my son's 86 truck. The tires are 245/60/15s on the front and 295/50/15s on the back.