Technical Rear wheel for 40 Coupe

I just finished installing a 67 Mustang 8 inch rear end in my 40 Ford Coupe using the TCI kit which worked out well, the only issue was the instructions that came with the kit were useless, I couldn't even read them because the copies sent to me were so light. My question is what wheel and tire combo are you guys are using? Assuming I have clearance, I would like to use a 7 or 8 inch wide wheel but no mags, just a stock looking wheel. Thank you.

 

Measure your mounting surface to mounting surface and post that number. You'll likely get many more responses.

 

That 67 rear end is a bit wide for a 40. You might need a 6” wide wheel. Measure, measure, measure.

 

SB 58 1/2? stocker about 60"

 

TCI has excellent mounting instructions for this kit readily available on their webpage - 5 pages with about 15 detailed diagrams and pictures.
Won't help with what wheels you need, but just saying.

 

Your Mustang rearend should be 58" wheel face to wheel face. A 7" wheel with at least 3 1/2" back space will work. If you are going to have wheel built, go 4" back space.

 

as weedburner 40 said go with a 15 x 7 4 inch backspace. you can get vintique gennie 15 x 7 4 inch back of the shelf from jegs. with the gennie you can use stock hubcaps. with 4 inch you should have room for a 235 75 15 tire.

 

Go to WheelSmiths in Norco web site they have a sheet to measure for rim size and offset,, they saved my life a number of times

 

I hack up the ride and measure. Use a plumb bob to lay out the wheel mounting surface, inner and outer most sheet metal. Lay out the measurements on the floor. Figure clearances.
This tells us backspace and what size wheel will fit

 

Well kept secret: '49-54 International Harvester pickup wheel, 5" X 15". 1" positive offset, center has 4.5" Ford pattern. Also internal hub cap nubs, fit Ford caps perfectly.
It's like a '48 Merc 15", (internal cap nubs) but with 4.5" pattern, NOT 5.5". The slightly wider outer rim is attractive, also. Try 'em, you'll like 'em.

 

Thanks for all the great suggestions!

 

I measured brake drum to brake drum mounting surface today and I came up with 60 inches. I think the banjo rear measures the same. Do you guys think I can use a 7 inch wide rim with 4 inch back space? Thanks.

 

The wheelwells in 40’s slope in at the top and cause frustrating tire fit issues. I highly suggest you buy the tires you think you can use, prop them up in the wheelwells at ride height, and measure for your exact wheel size and offset.

 

True. The further up, the narrower it gets.

 

When I was 20 we had a 40 coupe that sat kinda low. Pretty sure the tires were 235/75/15, and the wheels were probably 7”. Many times a corner taken at speed would give us a rumble as the edge of the tread rubbed the wheelwell.

 

I had the same. That was about maxed out for inner and outer fit...with travel. Mine was not crazy low so I didn't have rubbing issues.

 

Current 40 has stock rear 60"-cen View attachment 5081545 tered 6" with 225/75/15 still inside room- a 7" with 4" backspace would fit too but had these already

 

Love that rear shot of a "40.

 

I’m pretty sure Wheelsmith’s web site has illustrated instructions on how to measure for wheel size.
I’m also running 235/75/15 on the rear of my coupe on a 7” wheel.

 

some more of my old 40s . got my ist 40 when I was 13. had 2 40 sedans 2 40 coupes 3 40 converts all 235 75 15