Going Nuts With Wheel Choices

[magwakeenercew2jh]

As I build this money pit, I'm "running" on rallys. I'm not whining. I feel lucky to be in the middle of this build. And, I LIKE the rallys, for sure.

But, because I'm going to have to run around in flat black primer (sealed up), maybe even for a few years, without the paint and body work I want,
I think the shoes and wheels are going to have to provide some needed "bling". So, I'm shooting for either polished or chrome, in the mode of 5-spoke
Coys, Americans, or Boss 338's.

After reading, re-reading on the Forum, going to my local sources and new ones out of the area, I have pretty much exhausted my mental resources.
As for the financial ones, they seem to be limiting me to 17's or 18's.

So, I thought I'd ask in one spot, right here:

Does anyone have ideas on brand/backspace/tire size and whatever else makes sense or know about any wheels, starting at 17's and wandering up, I guess to 18's that are the style of Coy's, American TTII's
(Found a new one" American Racing Classic 100 $199/wheel +85.00 freight for four chrome 17's), or Boss 338's that are wide enough (9 or tens for the back, and 8 or 9's for the front) that and have backspacing
that will give enough "lip" to look good under the 4/6 drop 1/2 ton fleet?

Here's what I found: The 17 x 8's with the 4.5 in backspace, and the 17 x 9 in with 5 in backspace, when viewing on the shelf at the wheel places, just don't seem to have enough "lip", or depth.
I haven't been able to check out the 18's in person (with a tire on 'em), but the backspacing available on the American Classic 17's is 4.5 inches for the 8 in wide's, and 5 for the 9 inch wides.

Torque Thrust 18 x 10's offer 5 in backspacing (which works a little better on the 10's), and that would probably be okay. But they are about $300 each with an additional $18/wheel drop ship to my tire guy.

If anyone could or would post a picture, or pictures of your truck, and list the wheel size, backspace, and tire size, I'd really appreciate it. I know it's a pain. And everybody is ALWAYS ASKING, but I'm basically
lost in space, here. And I'm ready to buy some wheels. I'm just not bucks up enough to pay the $2,100 for wheels and tires that even the least expensive 20 set would cost..And those, (Bos 338's) as we all know...
...beautiful as they are...would mean some carving up of the "spindle covers" on the rotors....For me, $2,000, PLUS the grinding that I'm not very good at, sends me back to a different project that this build is calling to my wallet.

Thanks. I'd really appreciate the help out of this wheel dilemma.

[VA72C10]

have you looked at tire prices for the 17's? Most of the time you can get 20's with tires for less than the comparable 18's with tires. And consider used tire places. many times newer vehicles with 20's get a blowout and replace 2 at a time so there's a really good 20" that gets "recycled" I've bought a pair of 20's with almost new tread for $60 before.

[franky69c10]

Intro vista twist
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[magwakeenercew2jh]

Originally Posted by franky69c10

Intro vista twist
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You have money, franky69c10.
I'm glad you do.

Wish I did.

How about pics and your wheel stats?

[68Stepbed]

Not sure how much this will help, but here's what I have on my 68 with 3.5/5 drop.

Front- 17x8 TTII 4" bs 255/50/17 tires
Rear- 17x9.5 TTII 5.5" bs 3/16" spacer 275/55/17.
If not for the price, I would've went with custom built rears with 5" bs.




I would imagine you would want to see pics of a fleetside though. This is see ten's truck. It has a 3.5/6 drop.

Front 17x8 4" bs 255/50/17
Rear 17x9.5 4.75" bs 275/50/17

[special-K]

Keep a look out for used wheel/tire sets. They seem to pop up as guys want to change to the latest trend,change what the p.o. chose,or projects being parted out when someone bought wheels/tires too early in the game.

[big_al_71]

cant go wrong with coys as far as cheap good wheels....

[DZL1]

Heres mine. Wheels are Boss 338 20 x 8.5 fronts and 20 x 10 rears in grey. I purchased them via the group buy on this forum. I believe i paid about $600-$700 shipped. I know that its over and some peolpe went thru hell trying to get theirs. Fronts are 255/35/20. Rears are 275/45/20. Tires were $500.00 mounted and balanced with tax! So around $1200.00 for staggered 20's.

As far as the fitment issue for front goes, if you have a grinder, you can do this yourself. I did mine and it took about 10-15 minutes per side.

Another suggestion for you is to check your local craigslist for cheep wheels.

DZL1.

[magwakeenercew2jh]

Well, thanks to all of you folks, I finally made the decision and pulled the plug on some Boss 338 20's (8.5 and 10's).

I'm not looking forward to the "rotor shaving", although I DO have a hand-held grinder.

Is it just a "grind, check, grind, check, grind, check" proposition?

If there are any tips (besides "don't grind your fingers off"), that you who have done it before have already experienced, I'd like the info. I bet others would, too.

Again, my hearty "Thanks!" for the help from all of you.

[special-K]

I have ten tips. If you want the same maybe you should get those turned down by a machine shop.LOL

[HotRod C/10]

Originally Posted by special-K

I have ten tips. If you want the same maybe you should get those turned down by a machine shop.LOL

what backspace did you end up with and did you need a spacer?

[magwakeenercew2jh]

Well, the grinding was a five minute per side affair. Cake walk.

I don't remember the standard back-spacing the Boss people were offering at that time. It wasn't what I wanted to create a deep "rim"...I think 5 3/8", but don't quote me on that.
I hear they've changed the back spacing stats....but that the construction of the wheel still is kees the "lip" from being deep...I'm not sure.

And, yeah, I'm running good billet spacers on the back to accommodate the backspace combo with the 10" wide 275/45 20's. I think the spacers are 1".
And, we're talking "rears" here.

No spacers up front and 8.5" wide 245/40 20's...And I have no idea of the back-spacing. There were no options at the time from Boss on the 20's.

[stexag]

68Stepbed, That is a beautiful truck. I have a solid red '69 fleet I just ordered 18" wheels for and I'm interested in seeing more pics of SeeTen's truck for reference. I didn't see that he had a build thread and a quick search didn't turn up a lot of individual pictures. Do you know of a thread in particular where more of those pictures are posted? Thank you.

[67cheby]

Originally Posted by special-K

I have ten tips. If you want the same maybe you should get those turned down by a machine shop.LOL

LOL...i like this tip the best !