72 c-10 tubbed, what size wheels?

[Cherry 383 stroker]

Got a '72 c-10 long wheel base with the bed tubbed. I want to retain the factory axle length while running the widest wheel possible. I'm wanting to run a 15x14 wheel. Anyone have first hand experience with a wheel that size fitting without issues? What size backspace should I look into? Any help is appreciated.

[CC69Rat]

Do you know for sure the rear end is the longer 72 model? How much is the bed tubbed? Assuming it's a fleetside? What size tire were you considering? Is the truck lowered at all? Lots of things to consider. ..

Welcome to the board by the way.

[Cherry 383 stroker]

Bed I tubbed all the way to the frame and don't thank it's lowered and it's the stock 12 bolt so I didn't know there where different lengths ! 15/14 some one said a 10'' back space would work ?

[CC69Rat]

Yes, 67-68 and some 69 model year housings are .75" shorter per side than the later model . 70 was the transition year and could have either. ( I have seen both, I guess it's just whatever they had left over as the trucks came down the assembly line. ) 71-72 would be the longer housing. This change was made to acomodate the additional track width of the trucks with discs up front.

My bet is your truck has the longer housing but .75" can mean the wheels and tires fitting.. or NOT. I'd start with measuring the housing so we can be sure what you have.

Lay under the back of the truck (under the bumper area) and have a buddy hold one end of the tape for you. Put the tape on the back side of one brake backing plate then measure to this same spot on the other side. The early housing will be 55.5" long, the later housing will be 57" Just to be sure it wasnt changed out over the years. If it's 5 lug, chances are it's the longer one.

I think (dont quote me on this) but if the bed is tubbed to the frame rail, that will add 5" to the total width of the inner wheel tub itself. Using the typical 20x10 backspacing for a late housing it's 5.5" - 6" just depending on the tire size. So, if you ran a 14" wheel that puts you at 9.5" - 10" backspacing.

I was just curious about the tire size because your sidewalls will have a bit more girth than the setups with 20"+ wheels. (the shorter sidewalls obviously) I ran a 20x10 with 6" backspace on a wide housing with stock tubs and it worked but it was tight. 295/45/20 tire. (11.62" wide) Your measurements (just in my head) would be 15x14 with 10" BS and maybe a 31x16 tire ? IF you had the room maybe do 10.5" BS just to pull it off the outer lip a little, especially if the truck is lowered.

Without actually seeing it that's about as close as I could get. Hope this helps.

[Cherry 383 stroker]

Thanks still looking 15/14 wheels info

[CC69Rat]

Check out Chris's truck.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=394656

I think he has relatively the same setup.