rear wheels

[hdixon]

Can anyone help me on this issue
I have a set of custom wheels for my 69 step side c10 1/2 ton that do not fit correctly. just a bit of info about the wheels they are 10" wide w/ 5 on 5 they have a 5-3/4" backspace. I have about 1/4" of space from the wheel to the inner fender if tires are mounted they are going to rub the inner fenders what is the correct backspace for a step side c10. the company Where I purchased the wheels are willing to change the backspace but would like to know the correct backspace any help will be great thanks.

[Mike C]

If you have the original rear in your truck you are going to want a LOT less backspace.

On my 69 short step I have a 72 5 lug rear axle. I am running a 17x9" rim with 5" backspacing. My truck is axle flipped in the rear for a 7" drop. The 275 55 17 is pretty much as much as will fit.

I believe the 67-69 axle is 1.5" narrower overall than the 70-72 axle housings. So 3/4" per side. On my truck that would mean running the same size rim with 4 1/4 backspacing.

IMO, the 10" rim is too wide for the stock fender and inner bedside setup. You are going to wind up modifying the bedside if you want to run that rim.

[hdixon]

Originally Posted by Mike C

If you have the original rear in your truck you are going to want a LOT less backspace.

On my 69 short step I have a 72 5 lug rear axle. I am running a 17x9" rim with 5" backspacing. My truck is axle flipped in the rear for a 7" drop. The 275 55 17 is pretty much as much as will fit.

I believe the 67-69 axle is 1.5" narrower overall than the 70-72 axle housings. So 3/4" per side. On my truck that would mean running the same size rim with 4 1/4 backspacing.

IMO, the 10" rim is too wide for the stock fender and inner bedside setup. You are going to wind up modifying the bedside if you want to run that rim.

wow not good I was told by the wheel manufacture that they can change the backspace to 4.5" according to what you saying that want change the 10" width. I will ask if the wheels can cut to 9" which I don't thank they can. let me ask I measured 11.5" from the inner fender to outer lip of the fender that would not give me enough room to clear the 10" wheel?

[Mike C]

A lot of it depends on how low you want to drop the back and how tall a tire you want to run. I like the look of a tall tire on these trucks that is tucked. Since I had a leaf spring truck and flipped it I was going to get whatever drop I got which was 7 1/4"on mine.


I have been super happy with the amount of drop and the look/performance of the wheel tire combo.

[hdixon]

Originally Posted by Mike C

A lot of it depends on how low you want to drop the back and how tall a tire you want to run. I like the look of a tall tire on these trucks that is tucked. Since I had a leaf spring truck and flipped it I was going to get whatever drop I got which was 7 1/4"on mine.


I have been super happy with the amount of drop and the look/performance of the wheel tire combo.

there are one thing I did not mention I am running a Chris Alston 4 link in the rear end with coil over shock not sure if this make any different

[hdixon]

I will also ask if the wheels can be cut to 9" I will try to get 3-7/8" of backspace which would give me more than enough backspace but they said 4.5" backspace from 5-3/4 was not a problem

[Mike C]

Do you have the stock ‘69 axle housing? How low is your truck?

I’d spend my money on modifying the bed floor and the inner bedside. Get a pair of fleetside fender wells and narrow to about 4”. Trim a half moon from the inner bedside and 4” back on the floor.

Or cut back the bed floor to the frame rail. Then narrow wheel tub to fit that mark.

[hdixon]

Originally Posted by Mike C

Do you have the stock ‘69 axle housing? How low is your truck?

I’d spend my money on modifying the bed floor and the inner bedside. Get a pair of fleetside fender wells and narrow to about 4”. Trim a half moon from the inner bedside and 4” back on the floor.

Or cut back the bed floor to the frame rail. Then narrow wheel tub to fit that mark.

thanks for the info
my back at this point is against the wall because the truck has been painted I would hate to cut into it I am going have the wheels changed from 5-3/4 to 4-1/2 backspace and if that don't work for me then I will consider having the fenders modified

[geezer#99]

You’re not gonna like how that rim fits.
You have a 11.5 inch opening that you’re putting an 11 inch wide wheel into.
If you reduce the bs your wheel is gonna stick out past the fender lip.

[hdixon]

Originally Posted by geezer#99

You’re not gonna like how that rim fits.
You have a 11.5 inch opening that you’re putting an 11 inch wide wheel into.
If you reduce the bs your wheel is gonna stick out past the fender lip.

correction I have a 11.5" fender opening and a 10" wheel. if the backspace change do that move the wheel out? I am asking a lot of question because this has me on the fence thanks for the patients

[rjs53]

I have the same problem, 10"wheel 5.5 bs. I put 1/2"wheel spacer on, not a spacer fan but it works for now, and only cost about $30.

[geezer#99]

Originally Posted by hdixon

correction I have a 11.5" fender opening and a 10" wheel. if the backspace change do that move the wheel out? I am asking a lot of question because this has me on the fence thanks for the patients

Your 10 inch wheel is 11 inches wide.
Less bs moves the wheel out.

[Boog]

Not to mention the overall section width of the chosen tire which will usually be more than the 10" rim.

[68Stepbed]

Before you do anything, we need to know the axle width. You haven't stated which rearend you have. The 67-70 rearends are more narrow than the 71-72 rears. You stated you have the Chris Alston 4-link, but you didn't say if it has a factory rear axle setup or aftermarket. The rearend width will determine your backspacing needs.

Also, what diameter wheels do you have and what size tire do you intend to run?

[hdixon]

Originally Posted by 68Stepbed

Before you do anything, we need to know the axle width. You haven't stated which rearend you have. The 67-70 rearends are more narrow than the 71-72 rears. You stated you have the Chris Alston 4-link, but you didn't say if it has a factory rear axle setup or aftermarket. The rearend width will determine your backspacing needs.

Also, what diameter wheels do you have and what size tire do you intend to run?

Factory axel setup 12 bolt

Axel width trying to measure it along 61.5"

wheel 16" Disc brakes

[hdixon]

Originally Posted by hdixon

Factory axel setup 12 bolt

Axel width trying to measure it along 61.5"

wheel 16" Disc brakes

Hey guys
I have good new about the wheels the company that made the wheels will exchange them
should I go with a 8" wheel w/ 4.5 backspace

are should I go with a 9" wheel w/5" backspace what the best fit for a step side?

I will change the wheel from 16" to a 15" because 16" tires is hard to fine

[68Stepbed]

Originally Posted by hdixon

Factory axel setup 12 bolt

Axel width trying to measure it along 61.5"

wheel 16" Disc brakes

OK, if it's a factory rearend and your truck is a 69, then the 4.5" backspace is still going to be to be too deep.

My truck used to have 15x8 wheels all around, but I also have a 72 rearend, which is wider. The standard backspacing for an aftermarket 15x8 is 3.75" which was the backspacing on mine.

I can not stress enough that you will HAVE to get a wheel fitment tool and get the proper measurements for backspacing before ordering or changing anything else.

[hdixon]

Originally Posted by 68Stepbed

OK, if it's a factory rearend and your truck is a 69, then the 4.5" backspace is still going to be to be too deep.

My truck used to have 15x8 wheels all around, but I also have a 72 rearend, which is wider. The standard backspacing for an aftermarket 15x8 is 3.75" which was the backspacing on mine.

I can not stress enough that you will HAVE to get a wheel fitment tool and get the proper measurements for backspacing before ordering or changing anything else.

I am not sure yet but I think I am going to cut the fenders this way I can put a wide wheel on the rear I am putting a 555 cubic inch BBC with over 700hp in my truck I am going to need a big shoe hole the power

[geezer#99]

To really decide you need to do good measurements.
They make a tool that helps figure it out. About 75 bucks.
Swapping to 15 inch might not help.
Will a 15 inch clear your disc brakes.
Also you need to measure both sides of the truck.
Sometimes you can have 1/2 difference from one side to the other.

Also what tires.
Their cross section needs to be considered too.

[hdixon]

Originally Posted by geezer#99

To really decide you need to do good measurements.
They make a tool that helps figure it out. About 75 bucks.
Swapping to 15 inch might not help.
Will a 15 inch clear your disc brakes.
Also you need to measure both sides of the truck.
Sometimes you can have 1/2 difference from one side to the other.

Also what tires.
Their cross section needs to be considered too.

When I purchase the truck it had 15" wheels on it I later install disc brake on the rear and there not a problem with that setup.

[geezer#99]

What wheels/tires are on it now?
Pics help.

[hdixon]

Originally Posted by geezer#99

What wheels/tires are on it now?
Pics help.

no wheels on the truck because some clown stole my at work this why I am having to rebuild it

I did some research today on how to measure wheel width and backspace help me if I am heading in the wrong direction

I measured 5.5" from the rotor to the inner fender and I measured 4.5" from the rotor to the lip of the outer fender that total 10" I subtract 2" for tire clearance which I think I can only have and 8" wheel with 5" backspace do that make any since?

[hdixon]

Originally Posted by hdixon

no wheels on the truck because some clown stole my at work this why I am having to rebuild it

I did some research today on how to measure wheel width and backspace help me if I am heading in the wrong direction

I measured 5.5" from the rotor to the inner fender and I measured 4.5" from the rotor to the lip of the outer fender that total 10" I subtract 2" for tire clearance which I think I can only have and 8" wheel with 5" backspace do that make any since?

Mike I thank you are right on target when you say that you stuff a 9" wheel on your step side I could properly go with a 9" wheel but it would be thigh with measurements I got today it would only leave a 1/2" for tire clearance on each side

[geezer#99]

You only have 10 inches of room.
With 2 inches of that needed for tire clearance then you’re limited to a 7 inch wide rim with 4 inches of backspace.
Just remember that any rim that is called 7 inches wide (bead to bead)is actually 8 inches wide (outer lip to outer lip).
What do you plan to use for tires?

[Mike C]

One of the best things I have done on my truck is run the 17" wheels. Because of tire size availability I would consider 18's 7 years later. But I wouldn't run 15's.

I wouldn't even consider 15's. The profile and look of my truck work because of the wheel/tire width, height and offset. And it just can't be created with 15's. And you are limited in tire choice.

To repeat, on my 69 short step, I have a 71-72 5 lug housing. I have 17x9" rim with 5" backspacing (zero offset) I am running a 275 55 17 tire. The section width on the 275mm tire is 10.8" (275mm/25.4 mm/inch)The back of my truck is lowered 7 1/4" inches from the stock height of my truck (measured before and after) I have no clearance issues with the tires.