Notices
1961 - 1966 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Slick Sixties Ford Truck

Tire backspace question

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 19, 2016 | 04:27 PM
  #1  
markeyd's Avatar
markeyd
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 239
Likes: 3
Tire backspace question

I just realized that the back tires on my 66 f-100 are rubbing on the inside wheel well.

If I put these same tires on a rim with less backspace then that should move the inside of the tire further away from the wheel well?

So, if I go from a 7" wide rim with 4.25" backspace to a 6" wide rim with 3.75" backspace then the inside of the tire will move .5" from the inside of the wheelwell.

(I am measuring the removed wheel from the inside bolt holes to the inside bead of the rim.)

That sounds simple, but this is new to me and I just want to make sure I am not missing anything.

I was considering a spacer but decided against it because they may not be safe, or good for the bearings and I want different rims anyway.

I would rather not have to buy new tires and the manufacturer (Michelin) says my tire can fit on a rim ranging from 6-8 inches. I will likely buy a Smoothie or Rallye wheel so I can put a little moon in the middle.

Thanks in advance for your help.
 
Reply
Old Mar 20, 2016 | 08:41 AM
  #2  
jmf66's Avatar
jmf66
Tuned
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 370
Likes: 0
From: Near Nashille, TN
Club FTE Silver Member

You're right. Changing backspacing will move the inside of the rim.. regardless of width.
 
Reply
Old Mar 20, 2016 | 01:33 PM
  #3  
markeyd's Avatar
markeyd
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 239
Likes: 3
Thank you!
 
Reply
Old Mar 22, 2016 | 03:43 PM
  #4  
charliemccraney's Avatar
charliemccraney
Cargo Master
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 2,389
Likes: 58
No. If you change the width by -1" and the backspace by -.5", the tire will end up right at about the same spot.
The reason is because the cross section of the tire will be about the same for any reasonable rim width for that tire. So if you make the rim narrower, 1" in this case the tire will have to bulge an additional .5" from the rim on each side.
 
Reply
Old Mar 23, 2016 | 08:02 AM
  #5  
markeyd's Avatar
markeyd
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 239
Likes: 3
Originally Posted by charliemccraney
No. If you change the width by -1" and the backspace by -.5", the tire will end up right at about the same spot.
The reason is because the cross section of the tire will be about the same for any reasonable rim width for that tire. So if you make the rim narrower, 1" in this case the tire will have to bulge an additional .5" from the rim on each side.
Thanks for the info. I see your point. My issue is a slight rub of the rear tires against the inner wheel well. Probably when there is movement from a pothole or something. I think I'll put a thin spacer plate on the back tires for now.
 
Reply
Old Mar 23, 2016 | 10:30 AM
  #6  
gangstakr's Avatar
gangstakr
Logistics Pro
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,651
Likes: 60
From: Hemet ca.
I'm running 285/40/17 in the rear with 10" rims.
No rubbing issues. My back space is 4 1/2
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
HLane
6.7L Power Stroke Diesel
3
Nov 9, 2018 09:57 PM
apachetech
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
10
Mar 6, 2015 06:50 PM
davbell22602
Brakes, Steering, Suspension, Tires, & Wheels
1
Apr 11, 2012 09:38 PM
four.six
Brakes, Steering, Suspension, Tires, & Wheels
2
May 18, 2010 09:40 AM
spencer922
General Automotive Discussion
2
Feb 9, 2008 08:10 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:35 PM.

story-0
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-1
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-2
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-3
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE
story-5
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE
story-6
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Everything You Need to Know about the 2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-07 17:51:06


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

Slideshow: 10 most surprising Ford truck options/features in 2026.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:17:22


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

Slideshow: Here are the top 10 Fords coming to Mecum Indy 2026.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:49:49


VIEW MORE
story-9
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 worst Ford truck wheels of all time

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 16:49:01


VIEW MORE