STEPSIDES & 20S - help?$#%

[nosto]

Ok, I know, I've been warned by XXL and other stepsiders with bigger wheels that I would have a problem with getting something to fit, especially on the rear.

Rant mode: ON
But this is pathetic. Went to 2 local 'custom' tire shops. Waited over two weeks for them to get back to me with the results of their "research". Got nothing from one guy, the other offered a wheel style that looked like it should be a ceiling fan. He said it was the only one that would fit on my truck. BULLS#$%

From seeing picts on the board, I KNOW that's not true, it looks to me like they were just lazy and really didn't want $2000+ in business.

What peeves me is that I went to each place with 4 different picts of the wheels I wanted, vendor name, style, etc and gave them the truck mod info, and even brought them the truck so they could measure if needed. They didn't even bother, just asked what tire height I wanted.
Rant mode: OFF

So, I looks like I may be flying solo (meaning ordering online and take my chances) on this and that's why I'm asking the Board folks, especially anyone with a lowered STEPSIDE on bigger wheels(pref. 18" or 20") for help.

I'm just looking for your wheel/tire sizes, and manufacturer, or even ones you've seen at shows, etc could help. Pics would help, too.

I'd prefer 20", but 18" would be OK (and I could use the extra $$$$ I save for paint!). Last time I checked, there was 11 1/2" from bedside to inner lip of the fender, measured at the axle.
NO, I don't want to tub it

I know I'll be limited to 245 or 255 width in the rear, maybe 29-30" tall. I'm currently running on 235/75X15 {28 1/2" tall) and even with the 3.07 rear, the truck still moves OK. (It had 255/60X15" (10 1/4" tread) when I got it, and that's wide enough for me).

Main concern, besides getting the backspace right, is sidewall height. Yeah, I've seen the Xtreme ones with like 275/30 or 35, but with a daily driver, I really want, hmmmm, around 4 1/2" or greater sidewall, I guess. I don't really like that 'rubber band' look anyhow.

Thanks for your help,

Oh, BTW: this is one I'm considering: Niche Britaine

[sniper2321]

1st what is your total drop frt and bk in inches.

[nosto]

I knew I forgot something!!!

Since I'm on bags, I'm not sure I can give a real answer. Kinda variable, but As a guess, I'd figure on about a 3/5 for driving??

Front has a pair of dropped lower A-arms (~3") and no bump stops, and rear has a small C-notch and 1/2" bump stops right over the axle.

[progress]

I know you probably already did this but it bares repeating. Measure both sides, front and rear...you would be surprised how much difference there can be.

BTW...those wheels look awesome...nice choice!

[Palf70Step]

I wish I could find what this guy was runnin at Pigeon Forge. I am pretty sure it was 20's, but it may have been bigger. they fit real well and didn't see any evidence of problems.. rear might have been tubbed though from what I remember

[ginter]

I can't help you with your fitment, but those wheels you have picked out ROCK!

[Long Knight]

Lool at that HUGE mounted spare!!

[sniper2321]

is the green truck about the ride hight that you want.

[meathead95]

those where 20's and no bill it was not tubbed out i was hoping you would post that pick

[nosto]

Yup, I kinda like those wheels, but if I do buy them, I'll hafta start sprucing up the front and rear end pieces that you'll see through the spokes.....

progress - Actually I didn't think of that! Sounds like a good idea. So far I've only measured the corner closest to me.

Palf70Step - Yes, I saw that pict a few weeks ago and was hoping someone got the wheel/tire specs on it.

That's about the height I'd go for ( I'll leave my spare at home - LOL) , but I'm still concerned about the sidewalls, especially with the $$$$ wheels.




Anythings better than this......YES, it's primer. NO, the sheet metal has not been aligned yet! I'm saving the hard stuff for last!

[NSANE68!!!]

Mine are 20x8.5 with 4.5" backspacing, all around.
They look like they won't rub but I don't know for sure cause I had already mini tubbed it so I can roll a PHAT side to side.

Elite barbs 20x8.5 4.5 backspace. Although my bed is the newer style the fender space is equal to that of the old beds

[72chevyLWB]

I have 20's too. 8" wide front 9.5" rear. 4.5" bs all around. NO BAGS. 5.5" drop front 6" rear. NO RUBBING. 26.5" tall tires.

[Glen]

If you really want to nail it you need to make an adjustable slide in the shape of a "T". I have one, I lay it on the wheel mounting surface, then set the top width of the "T" to the desired tire width and extend the top of it to the expected distance of the tire. Center the top of the "T" in the wheelwell and that will tell you the back spacing so you can custom order your wheels.

Clear as mud?

[Dropt72Shortbed]

your problem is that most cast chrome wheels only come in a couple different offsets (or backspacing)

if you want wheels that fit properly with your exact specifications then youre probably going to have to go with a billet aluminum wheel.

boyd coddington, american billet, budnik, billet specialties, intro, colorado customs, weld, american racing all make billet wheels and you can custom order your own backspacing to suit your needs.

and if youre dead set on chrome then boyd coddington will even chrome their wheels for $100-$200(depending on size) per wheel now i hear... and see (saw a truck with them chromed on another forum)

[Slammed67]

Just take a look at your existing wheels and tires and go from there. You can easily measure the backspacing on those wheels and use that as a starting point. How much clearance do you have now between the tires and fenders? How tall are your existing tires? Even though you'll be getting bigger wheels, your new tires will probably be about the same diameter as what you already have, maybe slightly larger. Get a pen and some paper and start sketching out a top view of your fenders andwheels/tires. Make your measurements with the bags dumped.

[nosto]

Folks,

I hate to keep this as a thread that won't die, but I just got back from yet another informational experience. This place actually sent someone out to measure clearences. YAY! Turns out that since I'm running a '72 rear, I only need a 4 1/2" BS there. That was the only good news.

Out of 5 different makes of wheels that I've picked, I find I can't get any of them.

Here's the scorecard:

First choice - Niche Britane - no longer available (means - they can't order a 5X5 pattern, but some dealer MIGHT have them lying around, but it's too much trouble to look??)
Second choice - Kaotik Parole - no longer available
Third - AR Vanguard - 6 lug only
the rest-
AR Piranha - 5" BS (too much BS)
Rozzi Flux - " "
Edge Series 305 - 6 lug only

I even picked a few that were in the showroom (KMC and MTW brands) and either they were only 22" and 24" or they had the 5" BS.

From this dealer, they offered two that "might" fit: Niche F16, like the Britane, but flat spokes and Edge Series 221(polished).

BTW: Thanks to everyone who responded.
Glen - maybe I'm dense, but I can't figure out how that 'T' works. But, as it stands now, measuring is not the problem, it's availability of the wheels.
Dropt- Now there's a new piece of info; wonder why the 'experts' I talked to today didn't suggest that. Maybe they don't carry billet wheels??? Although they DID have AR. Yes, I made the rounds (via Internet) of most of the brands on your list, but I must be too picky, I didn't find anything that I really liked; liked enough to drop $2500+ on, that is.

Oh, well....

[NSANE68!!!]

Here's a pic of mine

[NSANE68!!!]

Better pic of rim

[nosto]

NSANE68!! -

That stance is perfect, tuckin just the top of the rim like that. The wheels - Well... I might stab myself if I had all those sharp points on my truck (JK)

Is that the same truck that you had a pic of with that wicked side to side lift; some sorta chain assembly across the rear?

Oh, almost forgot - what tire size are you running?

[Josh292]

does anybody know who makes the wheels that are on that green 70 stepside I'd like to put a set of them on my 71

[Palf70Step]

Just got home and checked my noted from the trip...yes they were 20's hard to read my notes but I think it says tires were 245-50....I don't have any other notes about it. Wish I did. that guy had alot of stuff on it. Never got to talk with him.

[BigPun76]

Josh- Those appear to be KMC SS wheels. I was thinking about putting some on my '68 since they KINDA look like Torq Thrusts.... but I don't think I will...