'Bout to buy some wheels! What backspacing?

[GAc10boy]

Looking to buy some 20" wheels for my '71 stepper - 20x8.5 up front (255/40/20) and 20x10 in the rear (275/40/20).

Planning to go 4.5/6 static for now but would like to be able to bag it in the future and tuck the tires.

What backspacing should I go with?

Just for reference, I'm looking at the Ridler 695s but that could change.

[ksshane]

Sorry I cant just answer your question.

You could contact ksbrktracer. He is a vendor here and can help you with the backspacing and has some really good deals on these wheels.

[chevjayfsd]

Just ordered the same sizes for my bagged 72, and went with 20x8.5(5.25 BS) and 20x10 (5.5 BS)

[STP67-72]

Ask n2billet or Lolife on a bagged stepside with 10 inch rears. Even with the narrow 69 and earlier rear end the 10s are a problem. I have them on my stepper and have since ordered a 9 inch rear. They both tried to tell me that a 10 wouldn't work without mini tubbing....

[GAc10boy]

Maybe I just need to go 22x9 in the rear and trim the lip.

[STP67-72]

That's what I ordered the second go round. 22x9 wheels. Pm one of the two I mentioned earlier, they both had stepsides and can tell you what BS to use. Somebody else may have info also.

[lolife99]

6" rear static drop on a stepside bed with the wider 71-72 rearend,... will need a 8.5" wide wheel with a 5.25" backspace to completely clear the stepside fender lip.
This is with an adjustable track bar to center the rearend.
Bagged trucks need more bs to fully tuck into the tiny rear fender when air'd out.
10" wheels require a mini tub.

This is member hot trux old static dropped truck with the above mentioned 8.5" wide wheels.

[lolife99]

Fleetside beds are a whole different set of sizes and numbers,...

[GAc10boy]

Originally Posted by STP67-72

That's what I ordered the second go round. 22x9 wheels. Pm one of the two I mentioned earlier, they both had stepsides and can tell you what BS to use. Somebody else may have info also.

Might need to give that some serious thought.

[GAc10boy]

Originally Posted by lolife99

6" rear static drop on a stepside bed with the wider 71-72 will need a 8.5" wide wheel with a 5.25" backspace to completely clear the stepside fender lip.
This is with an adjustable track bar to center the rearend.
Bagged trucks need more bs to fully tuck into the tiny rear fender when air'd out.
10" wheels require a mini tub.

This is member hot trux old static dropped truck with the above mentioned 8.5" wide wheels.

Thanks, Keith. Very helpful info! Always highly value your opinion as well as many others on this forum.

[GAc10boy]

Wonder how a 22x9.5 wheel with 5.75 backspacing would fit in the rear (trimming the lip of course)? I don't fully understand how it all works but I know Stella Mae and Raul's stepper both run 22x9 with 5" backspacing.

If I could get the width to work, would the backspacing work without a spacer? Thinking I'll be just going with a 4.5/6 static for now.

[C10_ustacould]

I had the later (longer) rear end in my 68 stepper and I used 20x8.5 5.25 bs with 255/40-20 front tires and 22x9 5.5 bs and 265/40-22 rear tires. Unless you put a wheel tub in the bed that is about the largest wheel/tire you will want to use.

[C10_ustacould]

Originally Posted by GAc10boy

Wonder how a 22x9.5 wheel with 5.75 backspacing would fit in the rear (trimming the lip of course)? I don't fully understand how it all works but I know Stella Mae and Raul's stepper both run 22x9 with 5" backspacing.

If I could get the width to work, would the backspacing work without a spacer? Thinking I'll be just going with a 4.5/6 static for now.

I'm pretty sure Stella Mae has an early (short) rear axle.

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by Bucks68

I'm pretty sure Stella Mae has an early (short) rear axle.

Correct.

[CC69Rat]

I had a 20x8.5 with 4.75" BS on a short rear housing, so if my thinking is correct (not enough coffee yet) that's close to the same as a 22x9 5" BS on a short housing .. .5" wider wheel, .25 difference in backspacing .. .75 on the housing. I think that's right. Anyway

255/45/20 and it was just about perfect. It was maybe 3/8" off the lip of the fender, no trimming and would tuck pretty good. Aired out might be a different story but, just sayin.

Raul has a 22x9 5" BS with 265/40/22 on air and it is dead sexy. Not sure if he trimmed the fender lips or not.

If you could find a 67-68 rear housing it would open up a lot more options for you with wheels 'off the shelf' rather than getting into custom spec billets. Unless that's what you want of course. IMO an early housing is almost a necessity with a bagged stepper.

[GAc10boy]

Originally Posted by Bucks68

I had the later (longer) rear end in my 68 stepper and I used 20x8.5 5.25 bs with 255/40-20 front tires and 22x9 5.5 bs and 265/40-22 rear tires. Unless you put a wheel tub in the bed that is about the largest wheel/tire you will want to use.

I love this truck! Certainly a motivator for me and an inspiration for the quality of truck I'm trying to build (even though you started with a much better foundation).