Highboy wheel options?
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Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2008
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From: Grants Pass, Oregon
Highboy wheel options?
First off, neither of my Highboys( 76 and 77) are particularly original, so im not worried about sticking with stock, or even Ford wheels......As i get older, i like alloy wheels as much as possible since my two highboys are both running 33" tires, and i hate having a sore back for three full days after changing one or more tires. Are the early 2000's Chevy/GMC alloy wheels, or the 94-2002, or 2003-on Dodge 2500/3500 alloys usable? First off, it appears that Dodge are all 8 on 6.5, and the Chevy rims from earlier in this century are that pattern as well. What about backspacing, offset etc? I want wheels of 7.5" or wider, in either 16" or 17", so i can run sizes 285/75/16 or 305/70/16 or 285/70/17's........I really dont want to pay $100-150 per wheel for aftermarket wheels, and i also figure the factory wheels were designed for 8500 GVWR trucks and heavier....Dont get me wrong, ill happily take a good deal on pre 8 on 170, 90's era Ford Alloys, but id like multiple options, thanks!
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2011
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From: THIS IS SPARTA!, ...Mo.
You need to worry about the hub hole more than the offset. I think Ford is the one with the smaller center hole, so it may not be an issue. You also need to get 16" or bigger wheels to clear the brakes. After that, trucks older than (I think) '02 will have the S.A.E. bolt circle. Offsets are wheel by wheel thing. If you happen to find a set on CL, just measure the backspace when you look at them and see if they'll work for you. You fudge the back space a little either way.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2008
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From: Grants Pass, Oregon
While i was at it, i measured one of the wheels that had been on the 76, which has the huge Spicer locking hubs on it, and compared it with an extra set of alloy rims that came on the 2003 and newer Dodges, a 17" wheel.......Center holes are the same. the reason i ask is i frequently see the late 90's- 2000's Chevy and Dodge wheels sell fairly cheaply, like a $100 a set........I see lots of Ford wheels here locally in southern Oregon, but 3/4 of those are those goddamned metric 8 on 170 Super Duty wheels.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Feb 2011
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From: Townsend, MT
AS far as these "old" trucks go, dodge and ford take big centers, chevy small.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2008
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From: Big Sky Country
35's would play better with the highboys 4.10 gearing....just throwing it out there for public consumption...
With the stock 31's these trucks were wound up tighter than an 8-day clock.... (rpm wise)
With the stock 31's these trucks were wound up tighter than an 8-day clock.... (rpm wise)
Post Fiend
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From: Big Sky Country
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Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2008
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From: Grants Pass, Oregon
well, since neither of my Highboys are near pristine, im only looking at functional......both of them have been modified. both have later model integral power steering, one has a 4bbl 390, the other has a 460. both have 77-79 beds with fuel filler doors, etc, etc. if i someday get a pristine, original truck i will try for originality/vintage appropriate upgrades, but for these trucks i only want what works
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2008
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From: Big Sky Country
well, since neither of my Highboys are near pristine, im only looking at functional......both of them have been modified. both have later model integral power steering, one has a 4bbl 390, the other has a 460. both have 77-79 beds with fuel filler doors, etc, etc. if i someday get a pristine, original truck i will try for originality/vintage appropriate upgrades, but for these trucks i only want what works
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Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2008
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From: Grants Pass, Oregon
Ive got a couple pairs of stock 16" steel wheels, 6" or so inches wide but that limits my tire options to stuff like 235/85/16, 255/85/16, 245/75/16 or 265/75/16.......i just bought four used 255/85's which are getting hard to find, and all the other sizes l listed were less than 33" height. the 77 has 16x8 alloy wheels and easily fits 285's and 305's with plenty of clearance. The Dodge alloy wheels ive seen are 8" wide, and my old tired back would love to lose the weight of steel wheels
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2008
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From: Big Sky Country
Alloy's are always a nice upgrade, they cut the rolling mass nearly in half....
235/85/16's are closest to oem spec (31.7")..... it depends what your gearing is.....4.10's need/want a bigger tire to get the motor back up in its power band....so you can cruise at a respectable rpm without winding the motor out.
235/85/16's are closest to oem spec (31.7")..... it depends what your gearing is.....4.10's need/want a bigger tire to get the motor back up in its power band....so you can cruise at a respectable rpm without winding the motor out.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2008
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From: Grants Pass, Oregon
Both trucks have 4.10's, the 76 has a 4bbl 390, and the 77 has a 460, so both have more Hp and torque than stock motors,i.e a 2bbl 360 or a 400M. In my garage, ive got several sets of tires and wheels, including BFG 35x12.50x16.5's on Welds, and a set of Swampers 35x14.50x16.5's on steel wheels( my back hurts just thinking about these)........I had the BFG's mounted on a 72 Highboy that ive since sold, i "adjusted" the front end of the front fenders with a sawzall a little to clear them......
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