Thoughts on my stance...

[CRGRS 66]

Finally have my tire wheel combination on the truck. I think I went too small on the front tires, no big, just tires.
Rear P295/50R/15
Front P225/60R/15 (think I should go to 235/60)

I am a hot rodder, so I want a little bit of rake. Changing to 235/60 on the front will bring the front up a wee bit, and fill the wheel well a wee bit more.

My plan is 2.5 spindles on the front, and maybe another inch with springs.

Any input on what I should do with the rear end?

Don't want to go any more than 2 or 3" there, but open to suggestions. The 295's really fill out the wheel well, don't think there would be a clearance issue, but it sure will be close.

[SIR]

...really nice truck...this has a 2 1/2 drop spindles, + a 1" spring drop, the rear has a 4" drop spring,when it settled down it was close to a 4/4 drop...

[jocko]

my 2 cents is that unless you're slamming it, 50 series tires never will really appear to fill the wheel well, rear or front. I personally prefer 75 series, but 70's and WIDE 60's will fill them (i.e. 275/60/15 or taller). Have to be wide for a 60 series aspect ratio to look "tall" also.

Recommendation if you want a rake and are looking at a mild drop:

1) 235/70/15 front - 275/60/15 rear (if you want a 60 series wide rear tire) - or a 255/70/15 looks nice also (in tghe rear)
or
2) 235/75/15 all the way around (if you want the same at all 4 corners, and spare tire ease...) These really fill the wheelwells on a dropped or stock truck. (you could also do a 235/75/15 front-255/70/15 rear too for stagger stance/wider in back)

I'd avoid any 50 series tire if you want to fill the wheelwells and any 60 series less than a 275 out back.

Let the drop kit establish your rake, I wouldn't try to do it with the tires alone (unless you were keeping stock suspension).

My 2 cents only. You have a very nice looking truck - but I agree with your opening post that the tire diameter looks a little small. Easy fix though.

[CRGRS 66]

Originally Posted by SIR

...really nice truck...this has a 2 1/2 drop spindles, + a 1" spring drop, the rear has a 4" drop spring,when it settled down it was close to a 4/4 drop...

thanks, and thanks for the input, can you tell me the wheel tire combo you are running?

[Billett]

Originally Posted by jocko

Let the drop kit establish your rake, I wouldn't try to do it with the tires alone (unless you were keeping stock suspension).

definitely this. Tires alone won't change it to the degree you would want. Nice looking truck though

[CRGRS 66]

Originally Posted by Billett

definitely this. Tires alone won't change it to the degree you would want. Nice looking truck though

thanks billet, and jocko
maybe I am going about it backwards, but I wanted to settle on tire wheel combo, then determine the drop I wanted from there. As I understand it, 295/50 is 295mm width, and 147.5mm profile (the 50 referring to the profile being 50% of the tread width). So maybe I should run 225/65 (146.25mm profile), which would come very close to matching the profile on the rear tires. I really like the 295/50's out back
Before I order any springs/shocks/shock mounts for lowering the rear end I will have to remove the springs and shocks, ease the jack down, and check for clearance.

[SIR]

the size is ...P225/60R15, on a 15x8" 5 on 5 lug pattern, "TORQUE THRUST" WHEEL MFG BY "AMERICAN MAG"....

[MisterC]

Looking good, Craigerrr. I love how those back tires fill that wheel well up!

This pic of Alan's truck is quite possibly my favorite stance/wheel & tire combo on the boards. (I'm old school)

2.5"/4" drop with 255-70/15's all the way around.

[jchav62]

I know the stance and look you are going for. I dig it. I think you are on the right track with about 3" up front and about the same out back... to have a 'rake'. On my '73 (I sure do miss that truck) I ran 295/50's out back and 235/60's up front. I like the look of the wide 295's out back. The look that was big in the 70's and 80's.

Here's my old '73... It was lowered about 2.5" up front and about 3" in back...

(the first two pics are with 15x8's all around, and the last one has 15x7's up front and 15x10's out back)

[BR3W CITY]

Roughly a 4/6

[newbe351]

Originally Posted by MisterC

This pic of Alan's truck is quite possibly my favorite stance/wheel & tire combo on the boards. (I'm old school).

Nice! I like it very much myself. The GMC hood works well with the clear lens....

[gimmy 64]

the 235 or 245 or 225 does not change the tire hieght the aspect ratio does--60-70-75series does. drop the front 2-1/2 spindle 2 inch spring and it will look grate. of coarse drop the back about 4inch

[SRVBLUES64]

heres mine

[chevy_mike]

Originally Posted by gimmy 64

the 235 or 245 or 225 does not change the tire hieght the aspect ratio does--60-70-75series does.

That's not totally correct. The width (235, 245, etc.) does have an affect regardless of the aspect ratio. Since the aspect ratio is the ratio of the sidewall height related to the width, if the aspect ratio stays the same, the larger width will be taller too.

For example, my 235/70-15 front tire is 1" smaller than my rear 255/70-15 tire.



Both numbers play into each other. Best way to get the correct info, check the manufacturer website and get the real numbers as they can vary in size even at the same tire size.

Also keep in mind, if you are using tire size for a rake, whatever the difference in the two tire sizes are, you only get half that much difference when mounted on the vehicle. In my example, the 1" difference in height only translate to a 1/2" difference in rake. This is because the half the difference in on the top and half on the bottom of the centerline.

[taclem]

Your front tire size seems about right in relation to the rears. Your front springs look pretty new or stiff. I used a 215/70R15 front with a 275/60 rear, I also have 2" drop springs on the front. When I installed the front disc brakes I think the 1970 spindles I used also dropped it about 1". The rear springs are stock, but the optional leaf springs. It is very drivable, don't remember bottoming out on anything yet. Good luck, I think I know what stance your after.

[brokenspoke]

I personally like taller tires that just tuck into the fenders

[Alan's Classic]

Originally Posted by MisterC

Looking good, Craigerrr. I love how those back tires fill that wheel well up!

This pic of Alan's truck is quite possibly my favorite stance/wheel & tire combo on the boards. (I'm old school)

2.5"/4" drop with 255-70/15's all the way around.

I thought my ears were burning. BTW thanks

[CRGRS 66]

Thanks guys, really appreciate the input!

[CRGRS 66]

Originally Posted by MisterC

Looking good, Craigerrr. I love how those back tires fill that wheel well up!

This pic of Alan's truck is quite possibly my favorite stance/wheel & tire combo on the boards. (I'm old school)

2.5"/4" drop with 255-70/15's all the way around.

thanks, and yes, I love Alans set up too

[CRGRS 66]

Originally Posted by SRVBLUES64

heres mine

Nice! What is your set up, and tire/wheel combination?

[CRGRS 66]

Originally Posted by chevy_mike

Also keep in mind, if you are using tire size for a rake, whatever the difference in the two tire sizes are, you only get half that much difference when mounted on the vehicle. In my example, the 1" difference in height only translate to a 1/2" difference in rake. This is because the half the difference in on the top and half on the bottom of the centerline.

Yes, and while I am not specifically using tire size for rake, just trying to arrive at a tire/wheel combo I like before deciding on my lowering combination.

I think that the front tires being/looking undersized (at least to me), came about as I did not split the ratio 1/2 above and 1/2 below the center line of the hub.

All input is much appreciated!

[Rich 5150 69]

Well Craig tough decision I know...mine will have to be adjusted after rear tank install.....coming soon....

[CRGRS 66]

Originally Posted by Rich 5150 69

Well Craig tough decision I know...mine will have to be adjusted after rear tank install.....coming soon....

Rich, I like your stance, and I like your wheels. What is your current setup, and tire/wheel combo?

[Rich 5150 69]

3 / 4 drop, 275/60 15, 6 lug ralleys 8x15......

[CRGRS 66]

Originally Posted by Rich 5150 69

3 / 4 drop, 275/60 15, 6 lug ralleys 8x15......

Thanks!