Drop spindles and wide front wheels

[mmcderm]

I have a '69 C10 SWB and I have used 2 1/2" drop spindles from LMC to lower the front. I want to buy 17" wheels from Wheel Vintiques, but I am not sure if there will be any interference between the wheel and the steering linkage. the wheels I want are 17" with a 4.5" backspacing. Does anyone out there have experience with this? Thanks.

[Jeffs70]

I am not sure if this would help you at all but, I just installed my new disc brake setup with drop spindles made by McGaughy's purchased from http://www.classicheartbeat.com/67-7...suspension.htm
I am also running with 17" wheels and I have not one problem with them hitting any thing.

[mmcderm]

What is the backspacing on your front wheels? From what I understand, anything over 4" will cause interference problems.

[Tx Firefighter]

No, it's not going to interfere. You can run 4.5 inch backspacing on a 15 inch wheels with drop spindles and it still clears. The 17s will clear by even more.

[HuggerCST]

No clearance problems here with 2.5" spindles, 17x8s and a 5" backspace.

[mmcderm]

Originally Posted by HuggerCST

No clearance problems here with 2.5" spindles, 17x8s and a 5" backspace.

Would it be too much to ask if you could send me a photo of the tie rod inside the wheel so I can get an idea of how tight the clearance is. Thanks.

[HuggerCST]

We have the same taste in wheels Tx. I'm thinking about trying a set of 17" Halibrands ar Cragers. Here are a couple of pics mmcderm. One thing about mine though, and it may or may not make a difference, mine has late '70s/early '80s style drop spindles. (1 inch wide rotor)

[mmcderm]

Originally Posted by Tx Firefighter

No, it's not going to interfere. You can run 4.5 inch backspacing on a 15 inch wheels with drop spindles and it still clears. The 17s will clear by even more.

I bent a piece of tig wire to match the diameter and backspacing and it looks like I might have some interference around the tie rod depending on the inside diameter of the rim. Do you have any pictures showing that there is no interference? Does it matter what type of brakes you have or are there any other contributing factors to this issue. I would just like make sure before I order the wheels. I would hate to have to pay to ship the wheels back. Thanks.

[Tx Firefighter]

Originally Posted by mmcderm

I bent a piece of tig wire to match the diameter and backspacing and it looks like I might have some interference around the tie rod depending on the inside diameter of the rim. Do you have any pictures showing that there is no interference? Does it matter what type of brakes you have or are there any other contributing factors to this issue. I would just like make sure before I order the wheels. I would hate to have to pay to ship the wheels back. Thanks.

If you search my past posts, I have built about 6 trucks since I've been on this board, all of them with drop spindles. I'm kind of a picture whore so there's plenty of images to see. My current truck has drop spindles and 15x8 with 4.25 backspace and no issues with lots of clearance to spare.

[Tx Firefighter]

15x8 with 4.5 backspace. 2.5 inch drop spindles and 2 inch drop springs...

[Tx Firefighter]

Same truck, same suspension with 17x8 wheels and 5 inch backspacing...

[Tx Firefighter]

Nothing cut, nothing rubbing, no grinding needed...

[mmcderm]

Thanks everybody for the info. I'll be comparing the photos to my spindles when I get home from work, and if everything looks ok, I'll be ordering my wheels. Thanks again for all of your help.

[JJanzen]

Wynne,
What size/brand tires are you running on both the front and rear? Thanks.

[HuggerCST]

Originally Posted by JJanzen

Wynne,
What size/brand tires are you running on both the front and rear? Thanks.

I've got Fusion ZRI 255/50/17s on the front and Falken Ziex 275/50/17 on the rear. The tread is very similar on these two brands.

[ChevLoRay]

Check out this tool. http://www.wheelworksinc.com/mountmate.html

With it, you can check out tire diameters, wheel offset, etc. I don't know of any tire shop in my area that has one, but it would sure be nice to have if you were in the tire/wheel business.

[mmcderm]

Does anyone know if there is any difference between the 71-72 style spindles and the late 70s spindles?

[darthwall]

I know you can use the later spindles with the later brakes and put them on the 67-72 arms but you have to use the ball joints and tie rods

[HuggerCST]

Actually only one ball joint is different, and I think it's the upper, but I'm not positive. I've never compared the two spindles, but I don't think you will have any trouble. Txfirefighter didn't.

[mmcderm]

The wheels came in and everything fits. Thanks, everybody, for the help.

[GKsport67]

Originally Posted by mmcderm

The wheels came in and everything fits. Thanks, everybody, for the help.

Nice rallye!! Should set your truck off!!

[stealthy '69]

What size and backspacing did you end up getting?

[mmcderm]

They are supposed to be 17"x8" with 4.5" backspacing, but I haven't confirmed the backspacing.

[Bennett68C10]

Please post pics of these wheels when you get the tires mounted and on the truck, i'm very interested thanks.

[mmcderm]

I hate to keep you waiting, so I will go ahead and tell you that it is going to be a while before I get tires. I have to get rid of the old wheels and tires so I can afford them.