I've got a 37 Ford pickup and am getting ready to order some vintique smoothie wheels. I'm having trouble figuring out the back spacing I can use. Here's what I've got: ford explorer rear end measures 59" from hub face to hub face (where the wheel mounts), the bed is 46" +- a tad. Running the original fenders. By the measurments it's giving me roughly 6.5" from the rear end hub face to the bed side on each side. Am thinking about a 15x8 wheel with 4.5" back spacing??? any thoughts?
Most 15x8 wheels will have a 4 or 3 inch back spacing. I would ask around to some guys local to you and try to borrow some tire + wheel combos. And test fit them. It is a lot cheaper then buying wrong wheels.
your gonna start getting tight. whats the fender to fender dimension?.....don't forget how much bloat in the tire over the rim......your backspace may be close, the can rub in severe turns...(roll).....you may get very close, but check your outside to outside aswell. you lookin for a fat tire look?...........7's may be a better choice but check your dimensions
I'm think when the good wheel guy hears these measurements, he will suggest a 3.5BS as the tire "bulge" is normally 1.5 - 2. on each side as the measurement of 15x8 is the inside width puls a good 3/8 on each side, now the outside measurement is 8 3/4 -9", a 1" is the minimum you should run, preferably 1.5-2.0 for bump's in the road or corners, ch***is to axle movement varies but consider this. From the bed to the inner of the rear fender is what? (If you run fenders) Good Luck.
If that is your truck in your avatar, then you don't have to worry about tire rub on the fenders. I measure the width inner fender lip to inner fender lip. Now subtract the 59" and divide by 2. This gives you your working space on each wheel. Go to a site like Summit and check the tire you want. They list just about every one. It will give you true tread width as well as section width. If the fender does not touch the tire at any time with full down travel of the suspension, I'd probably have my tread 1" inside the lip and the section width will nicely fill the fender opening. Don't forget that wheel width is measured inside the rim so an 8" rim is about 8.75" - 9.25" wide. Now subtract the wheel width from the casing, again divide by 2 and you will know where your outer rim will sit relative to the fender and the face of the rear end. Calculate the distance from the rear end face to the inside rim face, remember that inside rim face is now behind the rear end face and the difference will give you your back set. Using the cart above or the one on Stocton Tire will help in the calculation. You will have to do this all over again for the front to make sure the front tires don't hang out further then the rear and that the tire doesn't hit the fender during a hard turn. Good luck. wuga
This thread should show you all you need to know http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=835576&highlight=wheelkid
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