Backspacing fitment question

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Dec 4, 2011 | 09:10 PM

the peppermint

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Backspacing fitment question

I've searched in the wheels section and in this one and can't find what I am looking for.

I am looking to put 17x8 or 17x9 Cragar Soft 8s on my 81 f150 2wd with 275/60/17 tires. I am a bit worried about the backspacing on them. The 17x8s have 4.5" backspacing and the 17x9s have 5" backspacing. Has anyone here had experience with these, or similar sized wheels, on an 80-86 truck? If so can you tell me how they fit in the front? I know the rear has enough room for them...

Thanks.

Dec 4, 2011 | 10:56 PM

crestfallinman

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From: Bethel Park, Pa

on my old truck i had the gen 1 lightning rims on it and the rims cleared in the front but the tires rubbed on the radius arm and they were 275-60 17's

i believe they were 4.5" backspacing

Dec 4, 2011 | 11:54 PM

the peppermint

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Thanks for the reply. A quick search on lightning wheels they are 17x8 with 4.5 inch backspacing. Looks like that is the size I am getting

Dec 5, 2011 | 07:02 AM

86fordtruck

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From: Jonesborough, TN

Hey Crestfallinman,
How did those 275-60R17's fit in the back? Did they clear okay? How bad was the rub? Could you have gone with a narrower tire up front and not had the radius arm rub? Just curious.

Ron

Dec 5, 2011 | 07:42 AM

crestfallinman

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From: Bethel Park, Pa

they were perfect out back, i am thinking about getting another set of them

tires were pretty expensive though lol

Dec 5, 2011 | 07:58 AM

86fordtruck

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From: Jonesborough, TN

Quote:

Originally Posted by crestfallinman

they were perfect out back, i am thinking about getting another set of them

tires were pretty expensive though lol

Unfortunately, they usually are.

Dec 5, 2011 | 08:03 AM

crestfallinman

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From: Bethel Park, Pa

well at least those meats were almost impossible to spin, all i wanted to do is a burnout and they wouldnt spin no matter what i did, i was impressed by the incredibly improved handling with the bigger rims though, my old truck out-handled a few mustangs