I know it's been asked here 1,000 times, but I haven't found anything specific to what I'm planning on doing to the truck.

Anyway, I've got a 1976 Highboy and just got a deal on some Toyo Open Country M/T's that are 38x14.50x16's. The stock wheels on the truck have a bolt pattern of 8-165 and are 16x8's with a 265/75r16 tire. I just ordered a pair of American Racing Outlaw II's that are 8-165.10 and 16x10's to accommodate the larger tire. The suspension on the truck is stock, and was going to put a Skyjacker 4" lift on it pretty soon.
The truck has the stock suspension, but is this something to where I need to put the lift on first then wheels/tires? Or would I be able to get the wheels/tires mounted and balanced with the stock suspension and get it home without rubbing?

Thanks

 

Forgot to mention the offset for the new wheels is -25 and backspacing is 4.52

 

My 37's rubbed on the front lower lip of the front fenders, wouldn't have wanted to drive it that way. Trimmed the fenders and all is good, stock suspension, 37-12.50x16.5 on 16.5x10 rims, no clue on backspacing.

 

Thanks for the feedback!

 

I've got a 73 highboy (with front drum brakes). The wheels I just bought are 16x8 with 4.5 backspace, and I am not able to clear the tie rod. I need to add a 1/4 in spacer (and replace wheel studs with longer ones) to make the setup work, so wheel size might not be the only thing to think about. Seems others have had luck with the American Racing outlaws you have (and other wheels with 4.5 bs), so not sure what's going on. Maybe the disc brakes you have will with with 4.5 bs, but might be good to check fit before going all in.

 

Yea I'm hoping that's not the case, hopefully my research is right, but we'll see! Thanks for the heads up!

 

Here's 38.5x14.5s on my '75 highboy with about 6" of lift.

<a href="http://s742.photobucket.com/user/Fordworth/media/75%20Ford%20pix/2012-03-06_17-16-13_622.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx65/Fordworth/75%20Ford%20pix/2012-03-06_17-16-13_622.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 2012-03-06_17-16-13_622.jpg"></a>

 

<a href="http://s742.photobucket.com/user/Fordworth/media/75%20Ford%20pix/2012-03-06_17-16-13_622.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx65/Fordworth/75%20Ford%20pix/2012-03-06_17-16-13_622.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 2012-03-06_17-16-13_622.jpg"/></a>

 

Sorry, here it is.

 

38" rubber is a lot for a Dana 44 front, especially with stock shafts. I've broken D44 stuff with 33s and a 4 cylinder.


Go easy on it

 

Yea, I was planning on swapping in a Dana 60 front and running 39.5's on it when these 38's are toast. I'm debating between a 4" and 6" lift for it now. I know I'd need a 6" to clear 39.5's. I can't find Skyjacker 6" lift for Highboys, but was looking into the Atlas 6" kit they've got. Ideally, I'd get Deaver springs and piece everything together. Any input?

Thats a nice setup you've got Fordworth, which lift are you using to handle the Cummins?

 

Thanks, not a kit. The suspension has been through a few rehashes over the last 20sumpin' years. Longer front shackles, add a leaves, rear shackle flip, etc. Ten years ago this month the truck got wrecked and all four springs got twisted up pretty bad since a honda tried to drive under me. I went to Deaver for new springs since I only lived about 25 miles from them at the time. Jeff spec'd out a set of 6" springs for the front that ride great and haven't sagged in ten years, even with the 12 valve in there for more than half that time. Since it's my daily driver I wanted the rear to ride good too so I used a set of their F150 pre runner springs that had 11 thin leaves and were 6" longer behind the axle than the stock springs. I made up some hangers since the springs were 1/4" wider and extended them below the frame to get more lift and eliminate the blocks. However, they couldn't handle the torque after the engine swap and I wanted to be able to haul more weight. A friend was at a big off road swap meet where lots of manufacturers sell off extra stuff and came across a pair of Ikon 5 inchers for the rear of a 2011 F350 (I don't know if Ikon is still around). I had also grenaded the rear D60 about that time so I was looking to upgrade that too. I swapped in the springs and a 10.5" Sterling rear from a 2002 F350 at the same time. Again I had to change the spring hangers and shackles because the springs are 3" wide and 6" longer in front of the axle. And again I mounted the hangers low on the frame mto get the height I wanted without blocks or a crazy arch to the spring. Then I sold the Deavers for twice what I paid for the Ikons . Now the rear rides great and handles lots of weight no problem.

 

Deaver or Alcan can build leaf packs to spec....tell them what you want. Figure about $600-700 per end (pricey), but you can set the spring rate, ride height, axle position, etc. where you want it.

 

I appreciate you laying that out for me, helps a ton. I'll call Deaver on Monday and see what I can do.

 

You bet. That's just one way of piecing one together. Just consider your needs and desires when selecting parts. Remember that longer springs ride better than short ones and Highboy rear springs are definately short at only 52". If you are willing to relocate the hangers and source different ones to fit different width springs you will open up lots of possibilities for your setup. Lots of guys have used 64" springs for chevy applications with good results. Realise too that many aftermarket springs have military wraps (Deavers do for sure) so replacing or modifying the hangers wil be necessary anyway. My fronts didn't fit into the front crossmember so I built a completely new one. Hope this helps. I can put up some pics if you want or you can look at my photo bucket under the same name for under truck shots.