Same size tires all around?

[68Stepbed]

I was wondering if anyone had pics of lowered trucks with the same size tires on all four corners.

The reason I ask is because I'm wanting to get some new wheels/tires over the winter or in the spring. I'm currently at 4.5/6.75 static drop, I'm gonna run 18x9.5 or 18x10 on all four corners, but with different backspacing front/rear. I've been looking at tire options that still has a decent amount of sidewall so it still looks good in the truck's fenders, but still low enough to clear everywhere. I'm also looking at treadwear ratings around 200. A tire I'm leaning toward is the Falken Azenis RT615K in a 295/40/18 all around. It's 27.2" tall which I'm pretty sure will work good up front but I'm afraid will look too small on the rear.

I'd like to run a staggered tire size, but I can't seem to find the sizes I want in matching treads/brands. I was hoping to run a 28" rear tire and 26.5-27" front tire.

So, who's running 4/6ish drops with same size tires all around?

[GAc10boy]

Interested in this as well. Bumping this up!

[Rod Run]

If you're going to run the same size tire on two different width wheels, your front tires are going to be taller than the rear. Definitely not the optimum idea.

What type of results are you looking to get out of that set up?

[68Stepbed]

The wheels will be the same size, just different backspacing. I'm getting more into autocrossing and much less car shows. The 200 TW tire is the minimum for most auto-x sanctions like GoodGuys, ASCS, and SCCA Solo II.

The issue is getting a decent sized tire that looks like it still belongs on a truck. The other option(for now) is going with the Nitto NT555 which is available in 295/45/18(R) and 285/40/18(F). They are a 300TW rated tire, though. Obviously, that's still better than the 420TW rating on my current Hankooks, but not optimal for what I'm wanting.

[Rod Run]

Originally Posted by 68Stepbed

The wheels will be the same size, just different backspacing. I'm getting more into autocrossing and much less car shows.

Oh I'm sorry... When I originally saw 9.5 & 10, I thought you were saying two different sized wheels at the same time. I just don't know how to read

[CC69Rat]

Stock UCA/LCAs ? .. or are you running Aftermarket? It has been a while since Ive talked to you.

[cool68]

2WD, especially lowered, trucks look much better with a taller rear tire. Matching tread will not be seen, except by roadkill. Even non-matching brands front to rear OK. When was the last time that you walked through a truck show and bent down to read front/rear tire brands and find that they were different and because of that the truck was not acceptable to you?

[Rod Run]

Originally Posted by cool68

When was the last time that you walked through a truck show and bent down to read front/rear tire brands and find that they were different and because of that the truck was not acceptable to you?

Maybe I'm just crazy, but I do it all the time. Mismatched tires drive me crazy. I can overlook a lot of things at a show, but whenever someone doesn't match their tires, I always comment on it to whoever I'm with. It's just one of those "little things make all the difference" types of things

[Andy4639]

Here is mine and I admit I don't like differant brand tires on a show vehicle. If U spend the money on a vehicle to enter it into a show U should have the money to spend on a full set of tires. Putting a vehicle in a show is all about the look!

If your doing like 68Stepbed then fine buy what U need to be competitive.

[Lees68GMC]

15 X 8 Rallys, 4 inch BS, 5 on 5, 275-60-15 BFGs so I can rotate them. Have 5 lug disc brakes up front 12 bolt 5 lug rear-end.

LOVE your Auto-X photo 68StepBed!!

[jhwkns]

Originally Posted by cool68

2WD, especially lowered, trucks look much better with a taller rear tire. Matching tread will not be seen, except by roadkill. Even non-matching brands front to rear OK. When was the last time that you walked through a truck show and bent down to read front/rear tire brands and find that they were different and because of that the truck was not acceptable to you?

This truly a matter of opinion, and in my opinion, you're way off. I like the look of equal tires on all four corners. Not so much on a step side, but definitely on a fleet. I like not having my handling, and braking affected my such a mismatch. I like being able to rotate my tires. Running mismatched brands/tread is even worse IMO.

[68Stepbed]

Originally Posted by CC69Rat

I had a 9" I sold not too long ago for $100. My uncle has several, let me know if you need help sourcing a good core, and I'm also good friends with Mike Hudlow here in Chattanooga. I can get it cut down for you if you need it. Im sure there are places up your way too .. just saying I may have some connections for a good housing.

I'll keep that in mind, Chad. What does it usually cost to get a rearend shortened, and can he do the full float hubs?

[jtinpdx]

Originally Posted by jhwkns

This truly a matter of opinion, and in my opinion, you're way off. I like the look of equal tires on all four corners. Not so much on a step side, but definitely on a fleet. I like not having my handling, and braking affected my such a mismatch. I like being able to rotate my tires. Running mismatched brands/tread is even worse IMO.

jhwkns,
What wheels are those on your truck? They look great!

[Mike C]

High performance rear drive cars usually have mismatched tires with larger in the rear. On a car I drive a lot, I like matched tires so you can rotate them which makes them last longer, saving money.

But if you are going to run wheels with different offsets, makes no sense to not maximize the tire you are going to run for either end. Whether it be max height or max width.

[CC69Rat]

I was asking about the LCAs just because of the backspacing up front to run a wider wheel (assuming you'd want to tuck a majority of it under the wheel wells)

At 6.75" drop in the back are you sure they'd go under your fenders? Narrow axle ?

[68Stepbed]

Originally Posted by cool68

2WD, especially lowered, trucks look much better with a taller rear tire. Matching tread will not be seen, except by roadkill. Even non-matching brands front to rear OK. When was the last time that you walked through a truck show and bent down to read front/rear tire brands and find that they were different and because of that the truck was not acceptable to you?

I agree. I'd rather have a larger rear tire, but availability is limited. I may even up settling for a higher TW rated tire if need be. As for noticing, yes, I look all the time. The only time I don't mind it is in drag racing applications, where a stickier rear tire is more important than the front runners.

Originally Posted by Lees68GMC

15 X 8 Rallys, 4 inch BS, 5 on 5, 275-60-15 BFGs so I can rotate them. Have 5 lug disc brakes up front 12 bolt 5 lug rear-end.

LOVE your Auto-X photo 68StepBed!!

Thanks, Lee. More pics can be seen here--> http://s221.photobucket.com/user/Sli...?sort=3&page=1

Originally Posted by CC69Rat

Stock UCA/LCAs ? .. or are you running Aftermarket? It has been a while since Ive talked to you.

Originally Posted by CC69Rat

I was asking about the LCAs just because of the backspacing up front to run a wider wheel (assuming you'd want to tuck a majority of it under the wheel wells)

At 6.75" drop in the back are you sure they'd go under your fenders? Narrow axle ?

Still on all stock control arms. By all my estimates and figures, an 18x10 with 5.5" bs will fit and clear everywhere just fine up front on stock control arms and stock inner fenders with a 27" tire.

The rears are going to be a tight fit, but I'm pretty sure it's doable with 5" backspacing. A lot of figuring will be happening before any final orders are placed, though. I'm also still considering mini tubbing the inner bedsides. If I end up cutting the bedsides, though, a set of 18x12's will be going on along with a narrowed 9" with full floater axles.

[Lees68GMC]

The Measure Twice, Order once is the smart way to go. Hope this doesn't confuse but mines a leaf spring rear GMC, and we replaced the 68 OEM 6 lug 10 bolt with a 1974 1/2 ton Truck 5 lug 12 bolt. Rear end, Backing plate to backing plate was 2" wider (1" each side) spring perches were exact bolt up. Looking at the wheel wells seemed to be plenty of room outboard but those small inside the bed fender wells used to be too close, New rear end is fine.

I'm eventually going to buy & run some New Coys and will measure a bunch of times, over and over again before I order.

[68Stepbed]

Well, the fleetsides have more room in the rear fenderwells than the stepsides. I do have the wider 72 rearend also.

[jeh]

I'm going to listen in on this also....
Matt, maybe I'll get to check out your truck at next years Charlotte Goodguys

[CC69Rat]

I have a Wheel rite if you want to borrow it. PM an address and I'll send it to you.

[68Stepbed]

Originally Posted by CC69Rat

I have a Wheel rite if you want to borrow it. PM an address and I'll send it to you.

Thanks, Chad.

[68Stepbed]

OK, here's something I tried this morning when the rain cleared. Since the tires I'm interested in are 27.2" tall, I switched the left front and right rear wheels to try to get an idea of how it will look since my front tires are 27" tall.

I must say I don't really care for it. It really need larger rear tires, so I may have to compromise on either mismatched treads, or different TWR tires.







Here's how the rear wheel looked on the other side.




I also checked clearance and discovered the 5.5" backspace interferes with the stock lower control arms, so it's back to the drawing boards for a new setup.

[jeh]

The whole "tire and wheel" thing is very stressful. I'm getting my bed painted now and getting ready to set it on the truck soon so I can start doing some measuring myself. I'm hoping to run a 10" wide rear with a 295 tire!!!!!

[cafetony]

with the right back spacing 295 is no problem
this is a 305 and i have a 1/2 of an inch on both sides

[68Stepbed]

Originally Posted by CC69Rat

Did you ever get the wheelrite tool?

Truck looks killer regardless of what you do to it. I really like that color.

Yes, Chad. I got it sometime last week. I've just been very busy, and with the crazy weather lately, I haven't had time to start checking things with it. I did the front/rear swap thing yesterday, then had to switch it back and put it back in the garage.

Thanks for the compliment.

Originally Posted by jeh

The whole "tire and wheel" thing is very stressful. I'm getting my bed painted now and getting ready to set it on the truck soon so I can start doing some measuring myself. I'm hoping to run a 10" wide rear with a 295 tire!!!!!

Yes, it's stressful. I'm gonna do some measuring with the wheelrite tool to make sure that I can fit a 10" wheel and 295 tire in the rear. It tends to look as if my budget wheel plan isn't going to work out as I was hoping, so I ay start talking to my body man about putting tubs in the bed. Now would be the time for that before paint is applied to your bed.

Originally Posted by cafetony

with the right back spacing 295 is no problem
this is a 305 and i have a 1/2 of an inch on both sides

Yeah, the front is fine, and the rear on a fleetside is fine for that, but the stepsides have less room in the rear.