Need some new wheels

[Dustmaker65]

So I have the complete ECE disc brake setup on its way, along with the 4/6 drop kit. So my 6 luggers will need to be replaced. First I need something that I can use for just rollers and then the real set

What size wheel fits best in my 68 Stepside? What back space will work with the calipers?

Jimmy

[leftybass209]

Your question is a little vague. What does "best" mean to you? 26's with rubber band tires, 15x10's with maximum tread width? My suggestion would be to search 4/6 drops here. That will bring up lots of pictures of trucks with different wheels and tire sizes.

[Mike C]

What size wheel and tire are you interested in? For rollers any fullsize GM car from the 70's or 2x4 truck from 71-87.

Here is my 69 short step. It has 2 1/2" ECE spindles and 2" springs on the front. Rear is leaf and has been flipped.

Front wheels are 17x8 Summit Legends with 4.5" backspace and 235 55 17's. Rears are 17x9 with 5" backspace and 275 55 17. That is the absolute biggest tire that will fit without bed mods in the rear and it required the use of a 71-72 5 lug housing (or a wide 70 with conversion axles) for that wheel/backspace.

[Dustmaker65]

Originally Posted by leftybass209

Your question is a little vague. What does "best" mean to you? 26's with rubber band tires, 15x10's with maximum tread width? My suggestion would be to search 4/6 drops here. That will bring up lots of pictures of trucks with different wheels and tire sizes.

To clarify a bit... 18 or 20 inch rims??? And tires big enough to FILL the wheel wells

Originally Posted by Mike C

What size wheel and tire are you interested in? For rollers any fullsize GM car from the 70's or 2x4 truck from 71-87.

Here is my 69 short step. It has 2 1/2" ECE spindles and 2" springs on the front. Rear is leaf and has been flipped.

Front wheels are 17x8 Summit Legends with 4.5" backspace and 235 55 17's. Rears are 17x9 with 5" backspace and 275 55 17. That is the absolute biggest tire that will fit without bed mods in the rear and it required the use of a 71-72 5 lug housing (or a wide 70 with conversion axles) for that wheel/backspace.

Think I want something a little bigger??? And I still have my 68 rear end. Have looked for pics on here , but not many Stepsides with the 4/6 drop.

[Mike C]

Wheels are a "too each his own" thing. I am very happy with the 17's and the tall tires on my truck. (Fronts are about stock height) I am not a big rim guy but I think 18's could be pulled off. I don't know if I've ever seen a 67-72 with 20's or larger that looked right to me.

My truck has a leaf spring flip kit in the back so the actual drop is about 4.5"/7". This was a budget build for me (aren't they all!?) and price was an issue. I have about $600 in the tires and another $600 in the wheels and they are exactly what I wanted.

I did the same as you and read every thread on step sides I could and asked questions of other trucks that I thought nailed the look. Good luck with your project.

[ultrahd4me]

Here is a step side I built last fall with a 5/7 drop 20/22 combo. 20x8.5 upfront with 255/35/20, and 22x9.5 on rear with 265/45/22. I had the wider rear end also.

[Dustmaker65]

Originally Posted by Mike C

Wheels are a "too each his own" thing. I am very happy with the 17's and the tall tires on my truck. (Fronts are about stock height) I am not a big rim guy but I think 18's could be pulled off. I don't know if I've ever seen a 67-72 with 20's or larger that looked right to me.

My truck has a leaf spring flip kit in the back so the actual drop is about 4.5"/7". This was a budget build for me (aren't they all!?) and price was an issue. I have about $600 in the tires and another $600 in the wheels and they are exactly what I wanted.

I did the same as you and read every thread on step sides I could and asked questions of other trucks that I thought nailed the look. Good luck with your project.

Ya Mike I agree. But really not sure what wheel I want yet, and don't have a clue what tire/wheel combo will work. And then the back spacing of them...

Guess I can start a thread with pics of stepsides dropped with tire/wheel sizes???

Jimmy

[cericd]

Check this thread out for dropped stepsides http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=472912

[67 cst swb]

ECE and Moser Engineering both sell 5 lug axles to slide into your 6 lug housing.
I recommend this way as it keeps the rear axle width the same instead of the 1-1/2" wider (3/4" on each side) rearend width that the 71-72 rearend has.

Also, I recommend a 28" to 29" tall tire on the front and a 29-1/2" to 31" tall tire on the rear, regardless of rim size you choose.
I have a simple formula to figure out tire heights. PM me if you are interested.