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1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks 1987 - 1996 Ford F-150, F-250, F-350 and larger pickups - including the 1997 heavy-duty F250/F350+ trucks

need help with backspacing!

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Old Mar 21, 2011 | 10:54 AM
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AJParry89
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need help with backspacing!

i have a 1990 150 4wd (twin traction beam set up), and i have 3" lift on it, and am upgrading to 35x12.5" tires. can anybody help me with what backspacing i will need? i currently have 31x10.5's on factory alum wheels and i measured those at about 4" of backspacing. but turned to lock, the 31's come within 2" of the radius arm it seems. so im guessing ill need something smaller, like 3" of backspacing?? but thats not what people and buisnesses seem to be telling me. can anybody help me out?
 
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Old Mar 21, 2011 | 10:58 AM
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You want wheels with 4" of backspacing at most... 3" to 3.5" is probably ideal with a rim width of 10". These tires will most likely contact the radius arms at full lock so you will lose some turing radius, and the front bumper will have to be spaced forward as well. What are the dealers telling you about backspacing?
 
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Old Mar 21, 2011 | 11:19 AM
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ok, thanks for your help!
they are telling me no lower than 4" really, but it just didnt seem right to me. but if i am going to have to rub a little, then i can live with that too, haha. its not my everyday driver...
 
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Old Mar 21, 2011 | 01:17 PM
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I'd shoot for about 3.5" of backspacing. Be forewarned though, with only 3" of lift and 35's, you'll need to also check your clearance at the rear edge of the fender. I'm running 3" of lift with 33x12.50's on 15x10's with 3.625" backspacing, and the tires get pretty close to the rear edges of the front fenders when turning while the suspension is under compression.

-Rod
 
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Old Mar 21, 2011 | 01:29 PM
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yea, people have been telling me the same thing, and even rough country (where i got my lift from) tells me i wont be able to put 35's on with their 2.5" lift (yes its actually a 2.5" lift), but it definitly raised it ALOT higher than 2.5"s. with my 31's on it now, the front is 6 inches in either direction from any fender or front bumper. the front sags lower than the rear, and so im adding a leveling kit to the front as well which will hopefully bring it up close to where the rear even sits! the only thing thats close that i can tell is the radius arm. close with my 31's even, so definitely will hit with 35's im sure.

thanks for all your help!
 
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