1/2 ton suspension swap - What wheel specs?

[Rat66]

Hey guys. I am needing some specific info on wheel offset/specs. I am getting ready to swap out the suspension in my 66 C20 Fleetside LB with the suspension out of a 72 C10 LB. The new suspension in a 5 on 5" pattern. I am planning to bag it and drop spindle it so I am needing to be sure the wheels and tires tuck/turn correctly.

Can someone who has done this swap before help me figure out exactly what setup I can use? I am leaning towards the Wheel Vintiques Smoothies or Rally type. I am thinking between 15-17" wheels. I would prefer the larger wheels to help fill in the wheel well more.

I am needing to know what sizes I can use and what offset.

[blazins10]

i have 15-8s with 4 in backspace and 20-8.5 with +10mm offset
both fit great and lay frame
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[Rat66]

Thanks blazins10!

So is your 63 c10 suspension the same width as a 72 c10? I am not sure if there were any differences. So with your truck dropped you don't have any problems with rubbing when turning with the 15x8s? How tight do the wheels/tires tuck to the wells when dropped? Do you have a pic of your truck that you can post?

Thanks for your help!

[Bret B]

The quick answer for you Rat66, is no, the width of the 72 rear end is not the same as the OE 63 rear. The difference is just shy of an inch wider on each side of the '72 from a '65, I do know that for sure. It's my understanding the 63-66 rear end was the same width, and the 61-62 was a slight bit narrower. Someone will chime in hopefully to set the years straight though if they're wrong. If you are referencing the front suspension, I don't know if it has a wider track width for certain. If it does, I think it would be about 1/2 to 3/4 inch wider, at the most due to using disk brakes and associated spindles/hubs.

[blazins10]

i dont have 63 suspension , i have 82 front end and 71 rear , yes the 71 rear is 3/4 of an inch wider compaired to the 63

[blazins10]

the disc front will move the front out like 1/2 to 3/4 from the drum spot , i have some photos but i cant get my photobucket account to work , but i have a sectioned crossmember ,dropppd spindals and cupped lowers and i can drive and turn like 1/2 off the ground

[Rat66]

Much appreciated guys.

So I know that my 72 c10 rearend is the same width as blazins 71 rearend, but I wonder about the 82 front end compared to my 72 front end?

Is there anyone else that can chime in on this with some wheel specs?

[Captainfab]

The '60 to early '70 C10 rear differentials are 62" wide WMS to WMS. The late '70 to '86 C10 and '87-'91 R1500 rear differentials are 63.5" WMS to WMS. I'm not certain, but it seems to me that the '71-'86 C10 and '87-'91 R1500 front suspensions are a bit wider than 63.5"