Ok, to start off a little background. I have 275/60/15 tires on 10" wide chrome "used" smoothie wheels on the back of my truck. Front wheels are stock oem type wheels that if chromed would look like smoothie wheels without the hub cap. From everything I've measured and learned from another member on here that had the same rear tire setup, the rear fenders will hit the tire if I were to take some leaf springs out to lower the back of the truck, which I might do because I'm going to have to install shims to get the right pinion angle and I'll have to unbolt the spring pack anyways.

So, it made me think about possibly changing from a 10" wide wheel to something smaller but still be able to use my brand new BFgoodrich tires. I found an awesome deal on some wheels locally, 4 wheels for 25 bucks. These wheels will match my front wheels as they are stock oem look. My front wheels are 5x4.5 bolt pattern and back BP is 5x5.5. So If I were to buy these 4 wheels I would have 2 extra to use for spares or just sell.

Here is my problem: These wheels are 6.5" wide which would help me out with the tires not hitting the fender but....tirerack.com recommends that my 275/60/15 tires to be used on a 7-9.5" wide rim....SO these wheels are .5" smaller than recommended.

I have searched google, forums, threads, etc. and people have said that using a smaller wheel makes the tire "bulge" and looks bad BUT I like the bulge look.

I called tirerack and they asked if I was gonna be racing the truck and I said no just around town. I told them I was just worried if the tire would blow or something and he acted like that wouldn't happen it would just squeeze the tire more or something like that. Then long story short they said I might have trouble finding a shop to put the tire on the rim. I do have a guy that would put them on for me I know well.

As I searched google a lot of people have installed them on 7" wheels I just wonder if they will be fine on 6.5" wheels....What do you guys think?

Sorry for the long post

 

Looks like those are 11" wide at the widest. Tread 9.7". I wouldn't do it if I could avoid it. But then I like alloy wheels, so I'd find some of those in a 7 or 8 inch. If I were you, I'd try it. They aren't going to blow up, come off the rim or otherwise be a hazard. Tire wear, looks, and maybe the way they feel on the road--that you will have to figure once they are in service.

 

I'd try them as well. You can't go wrong at four wheels for $25. It's worth a shot.

 

Yeah, I doubt a half inch is going to make a difference!

 

if you do a lot of driving, you may notice premature wear in center of tires. you could play with air pressure to resolve this, but, will sacrifice some in the handling department. if you decide you're not happy with them, at 25 for 4, you could always sell them at profit and get what you want. i say try it.

 

It will make a difference. The tires are designed to work properly on a rim within a specific range. You are looking at putting them on something that is 1/2 inch less then the thinnest rim recommended.

Nothing dangerous that I know of but, the center of the tire will wear faster than normal because of the amount of pressure put on it from lifting the edges by bowing the sidewall in for the narrower rim.

On the plus side, the rim will be afforded a little more protection from curbs by having the tire extend further from it.

It may make the tires look like donuts on the rim too. With a 60% aspect ratio the leaves a good amount of sidewall. I would try it. I wouldn't do it with a low profile tire though.

 

I have been running that exact size tire/wheel combo for 33K miles now without problems. I am noticing more tread wear in the center now. Also, the only time my rear tires have had more than 20 PSI in them was the day the tire store mounted them and as for handling issues, we had a blast playing on the Tail of the Dragon last week in TN with no adverse effects. Here's a pic to show what they look like.

 

Thanks guys that makes me feel better about getting them. Worse comes to worse ill just sell them and get my money back. Thanks for the input guys I really appreciate it

 

You will still have the wide tire to content with clearence issues if you lower the rearend.

 

Yeah I have been thinking about backspacing and what not to see if it will wind up putting the tire in the place, I don't know if I explained that right

 

Well, I can't win for losing with this thing. I went and bought the wheels and tires and it turned out to be a guy I knew which was cool. Anyways got them home, got the kids to bed, went down stairs and measured backspacing on the 10" wide wheels I already had and then the backspacing on the 6.5" wide wheels.....SAME 4 and 1/4" backspacing....Dang it! So that means that the tire will be in the exact same spot (would rub the fender) on the 6.5" wheel as it would on the 10" wheel right? AHHH! I just want to win once with this thing. I'm honestly thinking of selling my brand new tires to get ones that fit this wheel and clear the fender... I guess If I got some it would be a 235 size not the 275 I have

 

If you are worried about bed clearance then the 4" backspace has the same problem. If you are worried about the fender then you have reduced the "frontspace" by a bunch. 10"-4"=6" toward the fender and 6.5"-4"=2.5" Mount one and see what you've got to work with.

 

Oh cool, so there is still a chance it could clear the fender? Man that would be great

 

While reducing the offset to the fender it will bring the tire closer to the bed. I measured 10.75 inches from bed to fender lip. How much clearance did you have there?

 

Well I went and meaasured about 12" from bed to inside of fender lip.