wheels and tires

[montefreak]

well folks im pullen my hair out....i wanna buy 17 x 8 wheels from summit racing....they come in 4.5 bs and 5.25 bs....i have a 1967 longbed...original rearend width....not sure which would be best for the front or the back....and im up in the air about tire width.....245,225,215..????? if anyone can help i would love it...pictures would even be better....thank you all...

[70cst]

Originally Posted by montefreak

well folks im pullen my hair out....i wanna buy 17 x 8 wheels from summit racing....they come in 4.5 bs and 5.25 bs....i have a 1967 longbed...original rearend width....not sure which would be best for the front or the back....and im up in the air about tire width.....245,225,215..????? if anyone can help i would love it...pictures would even be better....thank you all...

One question...do you plan on lowering your truck? if so I would go 4.5 BS. If not the 4.5 BS will still work for you. Best of luck in your purchase.

Other will chime in with other ideas.

[montefreak]

Thank you 70cst....and yes i want to lower it eventually...so i did have that in my mind too..i dint wanna do anything that would mess me up later..thanks again..

[Toms1968]

What is " back space "exactly? How do I measure it, What dictates how much I need? I'm sorry if this is a silly question but I'm new to all of this. This site and it's members seem to share valuable information, in a friendly manner, that's why I singed up. Once I figure it out I'll post sime pics of my truck.

[70cst]

Originally Posted by Toms1968

What is " back space "exactly? How do I measure it, What dictates how much I need? I'm sorry if this is a silly question but I'm new to all of this. This site and it's members seem to share valuable information, in a friendly manner, that's why I singed up. Once I figure it out I'll post sime pics of my truck.

BS 101

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=376581

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=387800

[Toms1968]

Thanks for the info 70cts. The unanswered question is what determines the back space I need. I have a '68 SWB c-10. The front end was slammed as low as it could be by the previous owner, I am planning on a 2 1/2" drop spindle for the front, and I'm guessing a 3" or 4" drop in the rear with disc brakes all the way around. This is the current stance, I need to raise the front end a bit to aide in entering and exiting my driveway. Thanks again for educating me on some basics.

[hayhauler71]

Originally Posted by Toms1968

Thanks for the info 70cts. The unanswered question is what determines the back space I need. I have a '68 SWB c-10. The front end was slammed as low as it could be by the previous owner, I am planning on a 2 1/2" drop spindle for the front, and I'm guessing a 3" or 4" drop in the rear with disc brakes all the way around. This is the current stance, I need to raise the front end a bit to aide in entering and exiting my driveway. Thanks again for educating me on some basics.

fixing the driveway is another option

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by Toms1968

... I need to raise the front end a bit to aide in entering and exiting my driveway

Originally Posted by hayhauler71

fixing the driveway is another option

That might not be feasible, but a lower profile tire would be. If your current set up was hacked or heated by the PO, then I understand your desire to make it right. Until then I would consider a shorter tire.

[68Stepbed]

Toms1968, I hate to be be the thread police, but you're hijacking this thread. You need to post your question in another thread.

As for the OP's question, the 4.5" bs would work better for your application. Even lowered, it won't be an issue. The deeper 5.25 bs may cause interference with your tie rods. The deeper backspacing would also set the wheels farther inside the fenders. Just go with 4.5" bs.

As for tire sizes, with a stock height truck, you need to make sure you get a large enough tire to fill the fender. When I had 17's before with a slight 1" front and 2" rear drop, I ran 255/60/17(29") front and 275/60/17(30") rear tires. It looked really good, and still wouldv'e been ok if lowered more. In fact there's some here running the same tire combo with 4/6 drops.

I'll see if I can find the old pics of my truck with this tire combo and edit this post later.

[montefreak]

thanks a ton 68...very helpful....the tires i have picked out are 245/45/r17...was wanting to put the same size all around for rotating purposes.really appreciate your info my man...thanks

[68Stepbed]

montefreak, 245/45/17 tires are way too small for a truck, especially if not lowered. You will need at least a 28" tire to look somewhat proportioned. My suggestion if you want the same size all around would be either 275/50/17(28" tall) or 255/60/17(29" tall).

Just for reference, 245/45/17 is the size tires Mustangs and Camaros use alot. Here's a shot of a Mustang with 245/45/17's. I'm still trying to find old pics of mine with 17's.

[montefreak]

68 i see what you mean...i think the 245's are only 25" tall...they would probably be lost on my truck....thanks for the help and the pic....makes a world of difference when you can actually see it on something.....again thank you..

[68Stepbed]

No problem. I'm always glad to help out.

[68Stepbed]

I found 'em!! Here's some old shots of my truck with a 1" front/2" rear drop with 17x7-255/60/17 and 17x9.5-275/60/17 tires.

[montefreak]

thats a great truck there 68..and i see what you mean...those tires look perfect on there...with no drop or no drop at all you need a lot of tire to fill the wheel wells.....thanks again for posten those pics..

[montefreak]

thats a great truck there 68..and i see what you mean...those tires look perfect on there...with no drop or no drop at all you need a lot of tire to fill the wheel wells.....thanks again for posten those pics..