Wheel sizing question

[Matt300ZXT]

16x8, 4.25" backspacing give or take a tiny bit....what ya think?

[Matt300ZXT]

No one else has used a wheel near that size and could say it didn't turn all the way, or didn't clear this or that, or worked great?

[Indian113]

Maybe if you said what you were going to put them on and what you had in mind for tires somebody might step up and help. Me I'm not a fan of No sidewall tires- I'm old school and I like a Big sidewall and wide on the back with a smaller tire on the front "Just showing my AGE"

[Matt300ZXT]

Kinda figured posting this in the 47-59 forum, it'd go without saying It's a 54 Chevy pickup. Tires I'm probably looking at a 245/50 to 60ish, something around that size. I don't want HUGE sidewalls like a 75 or 80 series, but don't want rubber band sizes either.

I've noticed some people saying they have problems with some wheels designed for newer vehicles going on old trucks that the steering components get in the way, and some guys have mentioned something about the rear axle flange, whatever that is they're talking about I haven't a clue. I suppose I should just take one of the rear wheels off so I can get some sort of idea what they're talking about.

[Indian113]

What have you got for rear end,are you using the stock front end? I have a 15x8 with 4 inch back spacing on my 53,I'm using a rear end out of a 74 Nova. I also have a nova front so I don't think with it being wider I could run that wide of rim and tire.

[Matt300ZXT]

It's the stock rearend. I considered the Nova rearend but that'll take more work than I'm comfortable with doing right now, skill and money wise; so my choices are finding a 6 lug wheel I actually like, or having the axles re-drilled to a 5 lug pattern and just swapping the fronts with a 5 lug disc brake conversion kit.

This 6 lug wheel is sort of a last ditch effort to keep it 6 lug for simplicity, not actively seeking them really, just sorta happened across it. I've been hunting down places and information lately on just having the rears redrilled. With all the 5x4.75 wheels that are out there from stock Chevys or aftermarket, I'm sure I could find something I liked very easily, but keep the stock driveline/rear end.

[Indian113]

There's nothing wrong with your gameplan. I understand the taking it slow and easy about changing things around. I drove my 53 for 5 years with the original drivetrain. Then I tore it apart and started my hotrodding of it. The subframe and rearend was easy what scares me is the bodywork. Now my 53 is waiting untill my wifes 64 is done and I can spend money on it again. I don't have pictures of my 53 then but I put wagon wheels on it and got along great.

[vjjack04]

I cannot answer your question but I have a similar concern. I am looking at 16inch wheels just to fill up the wheel well a little better. 16 inch wheels don't really allow for the skinny side walls if you don't want to. I think 16 inch wheels with 60 series tire would look good. However I can't help you with info on the back spacing.

[raycow]

Originally Posted by Matt300ZXT

I've noticed some people saying they have problems with some wheels designed for newer vehicles going on old trucks that the steering components get in the way, and some guys have mentioned something about the rear axle flange, whatever that is they're talking about I haven't a clue.

The problem occurs with 88-up wheels. They have smaller center holes and more inward offset than the older ones. Stick with 87 or earlier and you should be ok.

Is it your plan to keep the torque tube drive and 3.90 gears? If yes, you may find it not much fun at highway speeds.

Ray