Rally vs. steelie question.

[ochre70]

Ok so I've done some searching, but I'm still not sure. Basically, I've got some 73 and up 6 lug rally wheels on my truck right now. I'm assuming the previous owner put them on to make sure the wheels cleared the new disc brake drop spindles. Unfortunately for me the front tires rub on the inner fenders close to the outer fender on almost every meduim to large bump. My question is: Will putting some factory 71 or 72 steel wheels on my truck cure this issue? I'm not sure how wide these rallys are or if the tires I have currently will work on steelies. So here are some pictures to help illustrate.

[brawley]

those wheels should be fine, I used the same wheels with 255/60/15 tires 2 1/2" drop spindles and 1" lowering springs. didn't have any problems, sounds like its been lowered more than what mine was, do you know if you have drop spindles- that helps a lot if you lower the front end more than 3". I have heard that the older steel wheels wont clear the brake calipers. most people who lower the front way down remove the inner fenders

[ochre70]

Sorry, forgot to mention I do have drop spindles with stock springs.

[BugzC10]

Those look like there 8" wide rallys. I'm running the same size tire with 15x6.5 wide rallys. 2.5" drop spindles with 2" drop springs. Just put the wheels and tires on. Have not driven it alot, but I have not had any road bump type rubbing...yet.
I wouldn't think yours would rub with stock springs.

[ochre70]

Yeah, I'm not sure if its the drop spindles or the wheels or both. Since I'm not planning on getting rid of the spindles my thought was to put some overall narrower wheels or at least some that don't stick out as far. So, I guess my question now is: if stock steels are all narrower than 8 inches can I put the tires I have (pictured above) on them? And do they stick out as far anyway?

[Lattimer]

6" or 6.5" wide stock steelies from a 71 and up 4x4 would be your best bet. They will tuck inside a little more.

I just put 8" wide rallye's on my truck with a 2" coil drop, and I can see if I went any lower the tire would rub on the lip of the fender. I'm also running 255's, so when they were on the 6" rims they looked narrow and squeezed. If you look in my build thread there are pics with the narrow rims and with the rallye's. I'm at work and can't access photobucket or I would show you exactly.

[imjeff]

Your stock springs are probably hammered...it's surprising how much they sag over time. Maybe new stock height springs would give you just enough to clear.

[ochre70]

Springs are brand new stock height. Only got maybe a thousand miles on them... Thanks for all the responses guys. It looks like I'm on the right track trying to find some narrower wheels. I've also been wondering if anyone knows how much further drop spindles stick your wheels out compared to the drum spindles? And how much of a spacer would I need to make the rear equal?

[Tx Firefighter]

If you have drop spindles and new stock springs, you're not terribly low. The issue is those tires are giant to be under the front of a truck, even stock height. 255/70 makes a great rear tire, but not front.

[ochre70]

I agree. My tires are all 235/70 15. Not too terribly much smaller than 255/70 15 though. Have no idea what modern tire size is closest to stock though. Those are just what came on the truck. And seeing as how they are new Michelin's I'm not planning on ditching them anytime soon if I can help it.

[BugzC10]

This is a couple shots of front 15x6.5 (4" bs) rallys with the same size tire you have= 235/70-15 tires. They tuck in nicely.
Edit: Forgot you gave 6 lug....you may have to loose the rallys to achieve a narrower wheel.

[Tx Firefighter]

Originally Posted by ochre70

I agree. My tires are all 235/70 15. Not too terribly much smaller than 255/70 15 though. Have no idea what modern tire size is closest to stock though. Those are just what came on the truck. And seeing as how they are new Michelin's I'm not planning on ditching them anytime soon if I can help it.

Roger that. My little iPad made that look like 255/70 size. I had to go back and expand the picture size after you spoke up.

On the wheel issue, we are talking about six lug rally's here right ? They are virtually all 8 inches wide. I've heard and read of narrow ones but never even actually seen them personally, and I have looked. They are quite rare to say the least.

[67_C-30]

Originally Posted by Tx Firefighter

Roger that. My little iPad made that look like 255/70 size. I had to go back and expand the picture size after you spoke up.

On the wheel issue, we are talking about six lug rally's here right ? They are virtually all 8 inches wide. I've heard and read of narrow ones but never even actually seen them personally, and I have looked. They are quite rare to say the least.

There are 7" ones out there. My old '70 BB truck had 7" 6 lug Rallyes on it. You can tell in the pic below how far the center cap sticks out on them that they are not 8's. I personally don't like the look of them, but that's just me.

[ochre70]

BugzC10, that's exactly what I was thinking. Ditch the rally's for some steelies and call it good. Which works well for me since I like the look of the steelies better personally. No worries TX Firefighter. I had to look at my picture again before I put my foot in my mouth. Even on my computer screen I had to do a double take. So to confirm, I need to find some 71 and up steelies to put my current tires on. Which should solve my rubbing issue?

[67_C-30]

Originally Posted by ochre70

Springs are brand new stock height. Only got maybe a thousand miles on them... Thanks for all the responses guys. It looks like I'm on the right track trying to find some narrower wheels. I've also been wondering if anyone knows how much further drop spindles stick your wheels out compared to the drum spindles? And how much of a spacer would I need to make the rear equal?

It takes a 1.5" spacer to even the out the front and rears with a front discs and the narrow rearend, which it looks like your truck has. A stock 6 lug 4x4 wheel should cure your rubbing issues. If you could find two 8" 4x4 steelies, you could avoid the rear spacer and it has a nice staggered look. Here was my '69 shop truck with that set-up.

[67_C-30]

Here's a LWB with the same wheel set-up and close to the same height as your's.

[ochre70]

67_C-30, you're a genius! Thats exactly what I wanted to see/know. You've got an amazing looking truck and that longbed looks exactly like what I want to do. Thanks again y'all. Now I just need to locate some of those wheels and sell the rally's I've got on there...

[ochre70]

After looking for some factory 15x6.5 steelies from a 71 and up 4x4 and coming up with nothing... I've decided to look seriously at getting some of those steel wheels from wheel vintiques. My question for y'all is: What's the smallest width I can get away with before my 235/70-15 tires look stupid? I believe the tires can fit as small as 6" but I'm wondering if 7" would look better? Also, do those wheels come with tabs for hub caps? The pictures I've seen don't look like they do. Anyone have some to post a picture of?

[Lattimer]

Originally Posted by ochre70

After looking for some factory 15x6.5 steelies from a 71 and up 4x4 and coming up with nothing... I've decided to look seriously at getting some of those steel wheels from wheel vintiques. My question for y'all is: What's the smallest width I can get away with before my 235/70-15 tires look stupid? I believe the tires can fit as small as 6" but I'm wondering if 7" would look better? Also, do those wheels come with tabs for hub caps? The pictures I've seen don't look like they do. Anyone have some to post a picture of?

7" is going to look better. 6 would be ok, but I think a wider wheel will look better overall.

The 6 lugs from Wheel Vintiques do not accept the dog dish type hubcaps.

[BugzC10]

Originally Posted by ochre70

After looking for some factory 15x6.5 steelies from a 71 and up 4x4 and coming up with nothing... I've decided to look seriously at getting some of those steel wheels from wheel vintiques. My question for y'all is: What's the smallest width I can get away with before my 235/70-15 tires look stupid? I believe the tires can fit as small as 6" but I'm wondering if 7" would look better? Also, do those wheels come with tabs for hub caps? The pictures I've seen don't look like they do. Anyone have some to post a picture of?

I have 6.5" wide rally's with 235/70-15 tires...

[ochre70]

Thanks y'all. Exactly what I wanted to know. The next part of that equation is: Will 7" wide wheels pull everything in far enough to keep the tires from rubbing the inner fenders?

[ochre70]

I know that's a bit subjective, but it's kind of an expensive gamble to get 7 inchers and find out that it still rubs up front...