Obligatory Backspace question????

[Psycho71]

I'm gonna be running a set of Bassett 15x10 wheels on my truck when I get her done. I'm just trying, w/o a lot of measuring, to find out how much backspace I can run on the front and back of the truck. I don't want the wheels to stick out any further than they have to. So they don't sling crap all over the side of my truck.

I will be using 3" drop springs on the front, and 4" drops on the rear. I have considered using drop spindles on the front, but from what I understand that can creat even more backspace issues, right? Or wrong?

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Here's a pic of the wheel.



Thanks,
Jay

[Palf70Step]

Normally about 4.5 is the biggest backspace you would want.

On a lowered truck I am not sure how 10" wheel would do. Most folks I see with lowered seem to be running 8" or narrower.

[mnunn454]

When I was shopping for wheels for my Elky, I found a neat website that had a form you filled out. It required all kinds of measurements just to ensure you get plenty of clearance where it counts. Shouldn't be too hard to locate it or similar via Google search.

[whatnow123]

I can't offer any help on the front with a 10 inch wide rim, but on the back, here is a photo of 10 inch rim with 4.5 backspacing. Keep in mind I have the narrow pre 70 rear end. If you have the wider rear (3/4 inch wider per side) 5.25 back spacing would put the rim/tire in about the same place.

[ChevLoRay]

I am running 15x10 Wheel Vintiques on the rear of mine, with a 5" backspace and absolutely no problems. I am also lowered 4-inches in the rear, with a fleetside body.

As for dropped spindles on the front, I have them on mine and disc brakes will add to the front track width (compared to drums). I am running 15x8 Wheel Vintiques with a 4" backspace and no problems on them, either.

[slammed1]

I placed a CenterLine 15x10 with 6" backspace on mine for test fit purposes and it fit great on the outside but I would have had to take about an inch off the floor and tub inside to make proper clearances on the inside edge.

[Psycho71]

Thanks guys,

I cannot do any body clearance measurments right now, because the body is in pcs. But will be getting bolted back on in a few weeks.

It is a 71, so it has discs on the front as well as the wider rear end.

I'm actually on the fence when it comes to the fronts, but a 9.5-10" is a possibility.

So far, it's looking like 5-5.25"bs on the rear. Anyone running that big of a wheel on the front?

Thanks for the info fellas,
Jay

[slammed1]

Originally Posted by Psycho71

Thanks guys,


I'm actually on the fence when it comes to the fronts, but a 9.5-10" is a possibility.

So far, it's looking like 5-5.25"bs on the rear. Anyone running that big of a wheel on the front?

Thanks for the info fellas,
Jay

My opinion is 8" frt with a possible option of 9" frt being maximum for my taste,and your about dead on with the 5-5.5 offset on a wider 71-72 rear axle. Most guys run a 7" frt and an 8" rear both with 4.5 backspacing and work great so adding another inch on frt and back while adding the same inch to the backspacing should work great.

I want to eventually have a few sets of differnet wheel and tire set ups for mine. I want a 15x5/15x6/15x7 frt truck ralley with a 10-12" wide rear truck ralley (tubs widened a few inches) for one look. I also want a set of either 18" frt and 20" rear Coys C-5's and maybe just maybe (read if rich) a set of BilletSpecialties Vintec series wheels in a 20x8 frt and 20x10 rear..............yeah I can dream cant I??

[Psycho71]

I'll probably end up with an 8" front wheel. Just had a few other reasons to consider a 10" wheel, if it would fit w/o hanging way out of the fender. But that probably ain't gonna happen.

BTW slammed1, do y'all ever go up to Eureka Springs in sept for the Car Show? A few of us E. Texas guys are planning a trip up there this year. We figure it'll make a fun long weekend camping trip. It's a cool town, and is really cool with all of the old cars running around.

Jay