Hot Rods Best way to measure wheel back space

Doing a 1954 Ford F-100 ready for wheels , got 1997 Explorer rear installed, from face of rotor to side of bed is 5 " and from side of bed to fender lip is 11"-- need to figure specs of 15" wheel and back space to order-- Thanks

 

There are a **** ton of how to check back spacing articles and diagrams on the net.
Tire rack has one that is pretty easy to follow https://tires.tirerack.com/tires/How To Measure Wheel Backspacing

 

I almost f'd up my first car with backspace.. an advertised 8" wheel with lip is actually 9" total width and the backspacing is measured by actual total back space.. so for example for an 8" wide wheel if you want 4" of backspace from the mounting point of the wheel you would then get or need 5" to the outside of the mounting point.. or this was my experience..

Also I didn't see the width of wheel your're going to run which is important..

 

Guy down at the shop has a giz that bolts onto the hub, set it up for the size wheel, has a strip of metal to bend to the size and shape of the tire, adjust the position and tells you everything you need to know to get the right offset wheels; until you find that the published specs of wheels and tires are not always based on reality.

Best to start with the wheels and tires you want and then make the rear the right width.

 

to see this info in print look at July 2018 issue of Hot Rod pg70-74

 

A lot of truth to that statement.... The amount of variation in actual tire size compared to advertised size can be mind-boggling. Not to mention the variation in size for the same 'advertised' size between manufacturers or even within one manufacturer but different tire lines. If you're really trying to fill the wheelwell, I'd suggest getting friendly with your local tire store and have them do some 'trial fits' before you buy.