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Quick question about wheels for my 57 ford

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by 57countrysedan, Sep 3, 2013.

  1. 57countrysedan
    Joined: Oct 28, 2012
    Posts: 370

    57countrysedan
    Member
    from NY

    You guys think ill have any problems mounting up 15x7 with 4.5 in back spacing in the rear and 15x6 with 3.5 in back spacing in the front? Did a search and wasnt to sure. Its a 57 ford country sedan. Thanks for your help


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  2. 57countrysedan
    Joined: Oct 28, 2012
    Posts: 370

    57countrysedan
    Member
    from NY

    Or better how to i measure to see what will fit?


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  3. 57JoeFoMoPar
    Joined: Sep 14, 2004
    Posts: 6,511

    57JoeFoMoPar
    Member

    I don't know the answer to your question, but I will say it's real tight up in there. Running a wheel wider than it came with from the factory will be difficult if you lower it. I run 205s on mine without issue, but I can't get the tires on or off without deflating them .
     
  4. 57countrysedan
    Joined: Oct 28, 2012
    Posts: 370

    57countrysedan
    Member
    from NY

    Yea it is snug. I got 15x7 off a ranger with 235/75/15 and they fit good (after deflating). Thats y im trying to figure this out before i purchase new rims. Cant find a good way to measure backspacing. Everything shows how to measure the wheel u have backspacing


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  5. 54nomore
    Joined: Nov 5, 2012
    Posts: 137

    54nomore
    Member
    from illinois

    You just need a straight edge about 2 feet long held against the face of the drum/rotor to take measurements off of. Find the total available space and that will tell you what you can get away with for tire size.
    I was able to fit a 255/60-15 on the back of my '61 Falcon but had to have wheels made to make it work (15 x 7 with 5 inches of back spacing).

    I could probably help you through it once you get some measurements ( inboard and outboard from the drum face).
     

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  6. 54nomore
    Joined: Nov 5, 2012
    Posts: 137

    54nomore
    Member
    from illinois

    I should add, in case it isn't obvious, that the car should have jack stands under the axle to simulate a loaded suspension when taking measurements.
     
  7. F&J
    Joined: Apr 5, 2007
    Posts: 13,291

    F&J
    Member

    don't complicate things... :)

    if that Ranger wheel fits on, measure it's backspace first, then bolt it on, to see how the "new" 4.5 backspace will be. So, if the ranger is 3.5 BS, then you'd need 1 inch more room on the inside of that ranger setup, before it comes close to hitting something in there
     
  8. SimonSez
    Joined: Jul 1, 2001
    Posts: 1,667

    SimonSez
    Member

    I put those sizes on my 57 Custom 300 2dr Sedan (American Racing Torque Thrust-D's) about 10 years ago ...

    The fronts were 15x6 with 3 5/8 backspace, rear was 15x7 with 3.75 inches backspace*

    The front was slightly lowered, and the rear was stock height and there was plenty of clearance.


    *I grabbed the backspace measurements from Summit site as I don't have the car any more. They are a one piece cast wheel so pretty sure they wouldn't have changed the backspacing since 2002.
     
  9. 57countrysedan
    Joined: Oct 28, 2012
    Posts: 370

    57countrysedan
    Member
    from NY

    Thanks for all the help guys. Goin to check that tomorrow. Really wasn t to sure how to check. Not as complicated as i thought haha. So just see how much room from the drum face to the springs? And for example if backspacing is said to be 4.5 make sure i have 2.5 from the drum face to the fender?


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  10. F&J
    Joined: Apr 5, 2007
    Posts: 13,291

    F&J
    Member

    Let me try this again;

    The best reliable (visual) way to see what an offset change will do, is compare what wheel/tire you have now. But you must know for sure what offset the old wheel is, not guessing. A 6" wide wheel is about 7" wide total, counting the rolled lips, but it is called a 6".

    So, with the ranger wheel/tire on the back, see where it is the closest to on the insides and the outsides, if the car is at ride height. On the back, it may be the springs that are closest, and on the outside, what exact part of the wheel lip is closest?


    If you see that you only have 5/8" clearance to the spring now, what will it be with the new backspace. Same on the outside, measure what the change will do, to see if the new wheel will work.


    it is very hard to get accurate with a ruler IMO. What i mean is that you may measure to a piece that really is not the closest object. We have a 69 dart here with tight rear wells, and that is the only way I could get a reliable measurement....by using a known wheel to check clearances in there.
     
  11. 54nomore
    Joined: Nov 5, 2012
    Posts: 137

    54nomore
    Member
    from illinois

    You'll also need room for sidewall bulge.
     
  12. mammyjammer
    Joined: May 23, 2009
    Posts: 570

    mammyjammer
    Member
    from Area 51

    As I found out the hard way...check both sides!
    My 58 has about 1/4" more room on one side of the rear.
     
  13. 57countrysedan
    Joined: Oct 28, 2012
    Posts: 370

    57countrysedan
    Member
    from NY

    So i did some measuring. I think the back spacing on my wheel is 4.5. Put a straight edge across the lip of rim and measured to where it bolts to hub and got 4.5. Lucky me i guess. With this wheel have 2.5 in from lip to leaf spring and about 4in to fender. So i think im okay. Did i miss anything?


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  14. 57countrysedan
    Joined: Oct 28, 2012
    Posts: 370

    57countrysedan
    Member
    from NY

    Think im good to go. Found measurements for ranger wheels so just goin to go with them. Thanks everybody for the help


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  15. 95ttoplt1
    Joined: Sep 18, 2010
    Posts: 51

    95ttoplt1
    Member
    from Tennessee

    Post pictures when you get them. I'm on the same hunt.
     
  16. 57countrysedan
    Joined: Oct 28, 2012
    Posts: 370

    57countrysedan
    Member
    from NY

    Sure will. Still waiting for summit to ship them



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  17. 57countrysedan
    Joined: Oct 28, 2012
    Posts: 370

    57countrysedan
    Member
    from NY

    ImageUploadedByH.A.M.B.1379625653.382181.jpg finally got them on


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  18. 95ttoplt1
    Joined: Sep 18, 2010
    Posts: 51

    95ttoplt1
    Member
    from Tennessee

    Those looks awesome. You need to lower it now! I cut a coil and a half and 3 inch blocks in the rear and its really at driver height.

    What are the specifics on the wheel and tire sizes that you wound up with?

    Im thinking 235/75/15 on mine.


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  19. 57countrysedan
    Joined: Oct 28, 2012
    Posts: 370

    57countrysedan
    Member
    from NY

    15x7 rear 4.5 backspacing. Forget the offset. Front 15x6 3.5 backspacing. Rears are 235/7515 front 205/7515. Everything fits with no rubbing to report (thank god) and id love to slam it but my headers run low and they bottom out sometimes as it is!


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