wheel back spacing
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 757
Likes: 43
From: Cheyenne, Wy
wheel back spacing
Hello All,
I'm looking at some used wheels and tires. The wheels are 16x8 with 4.5" back spacing and 5 x 5.5. My question is,, will I have problems with this much back space on a 79 f150 4x4? I know ideally I should be somewhere between 3.5" & 4" but that would be with a 15" wheel. So will a 16" wheel help clear the tie rod end or will the extra back space negate the extra diameter? Will the 4.5" b/s make the lockout hubs stick outside the wheel? I would like to move up to a 16" because of more tire options. Really I would like 16x10 but they are hard to find used.
Thanks to all, Chris
I'm looking at some used wheels and tires. The wheels are 16x8 with 4.5" back spacing and 5 x 5.5. My question is,, will I have problems with this much back space on a 79 f150 4x4? I know ideally I should be somewhere between 3.5" & 4" but that would be with a 15" wheel. So will a 16" wheel help clear the tie rod end or will the extra back space negate the extra diameter? Will the 4.5" b/s make the lockout hubs stick outside the wheel? I would like to move up to a 16" because of more tire options. Really I would like 16x10 but they are hard to find used.
Thanks to all, Chris
Mountain Pass
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 197
Likes: 3
4.5 is the max
I have a set of 15” rims on mine and they have exactly that much back space. No issues what so ever.... I should add i have a set of super duty rims that are 18” with 6.5” of backspace. With the 2” adapters(bringing the backspace to 4.5”) they also fit perfect. Your set
Tuned
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 357
Likes: 11
From: Roanoke, VA
Hello All,
I'm looking at some used wheels and tires. The wheels are 16x8 with 4.5" back spacing and 5 x 5.5. My question is,, will I have problems with this much back space on a 79 f150 4x4? I know ideally I should be somewhere between 3.5" & 4" but that would be with a 15" wheel. So will a 16" wheel help clear the tie rod end or will the extra back space negate the extra diameter? Will the 4.5" b/s make the lockout hubs stick outside the wheel? I would like to move up to a 16" because of more tire options. Really I would like 16x10 but they are hard to find used.
Thanks to all, Chris
I'm looking at some used wheels and tires. The wheels are 16x8 with 4.5" back spacing and 5 x 5.5. My question is,, will I have problems with this much back space on a 79 f150 4x4? I know ideally I should be somewhere between 3.5" & 4" but that would be with a 15" wheel. So will a 16" wheel help clear the tie rod end or will the extra back space negate the extra diameter? Will the 4.5" b/s make the lockout hubs stick outside the wheel? I would like to move up to a 16" because of more tire options. Really I would like 16x10 but they are hard to find used.
Thanks to all, Chris
Grumpy goat
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 3,058
Likes: 594
I think 4.5 backspace 16's is what I have now on a 79 F150 4wd. When I ordered them at tire store I gave them specific backspace measurements. The jackass behind the counter whipped out his only brain (keypad) and ordered 5.5" backspace because that's what his computer told him to order. I think he was looking at 2wd specs. When I arrived to pick up the wheels and tires they had already mounted the tires and I told him they were wrong but I'd try it as long as they were liable. Sure enough, the rims contacted tie rod ends. I ruined a pair wheels. Tire store made it right.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 757
Likes: 43
From: Cheyenne, Wy
Wont the extra back spacing place the tire closer inboard to the leaf springs or radius arms?OR am I moving the "B/S" the wrong direction? I do not want tire rub. The tire/wheel combo is a 37" tire on a 16x8 wheel with 4.5" back space.
With this back space, will the lock out hubs stick out past the wheel or tire? I do not want the lock out to be possibly damaged while off roading. The tires have 17/32 tread and the wheels appear to be in good shape. The seller bought the vehical that had these on it but does not want a 37" tire with steel wheel. He wants to go 35 and aluminum. He is selling for about 650.
With this back space, will the lock out hubs stick out past the wheel or tire? I do not want the lock out to be possibly damaged while off roading. The tires have 17/32 tread and the wheels appear to be in good shape. The seller bought the vehical that had these on it but does not want a 37" tire with steel wheel. He wants to go 35 and aluminum. He is selling for about 650.
Last edited by black & blue 78/9; Oct 3, 2018 at 09:11 PM. Reason: forgot something
Tuned
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 357
Likes: 11
From: Roanoke, VA
Wont the extra back spacing place the tire closer inboard to the leaf springs or radius arms?OR am I moving the "B/S" the wrong direction? I do not want tire rub. The tire/wheel combo is a 37" tire on a 16x8 wheel with 4.5" back space.
With this back space, will the lock out hubs stick out past the wheel or tire? I do not want the lock out to be possibly damaged while off roading. The tires have 17/32 tread and the wheels appear to be in good shape. The seller bought the vehical that had these on it but does not want a 37" tire with steel wheel. He wants to go 35 and aluminum. He is selling for about 650.
With this back space, will the lock out hubs stick out past the wheel or tire? I do not want the lock out to be possibly damaged while off roading. The tires have 17/32 tread and the wheels appear to be in good shape. The seller bought the vehical that had these on it but does not want a 37" tire with steel wheel. He wants to go 35 and aluminum. He is selling for about 650.
Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 757
Likes: 43
From: Cheyenne, Wy
SKYHAWC.......Am I moving the back space in the right direct? Wouldn't 4.5" move the tire closer to the leaf springs?
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Tuned
Joined: Oct 2010
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From: Roanoke, VA
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Mountain Pass
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 197
Likes: 3
The only place you might have an issue is fitting 37” tires. I have a 3.5” lift. I dont know that 37s fit wittout rub.... if backspace from rim was an issue it would hit tie rod. But your not adding any more than 4.5”. ...650 is a solid deal IMO.
Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 2,595
Likes: 5
From: Pasadena, Ca
I’m pretty sure ‘79 F150 4x4 doesn’t have leaf springs on the front, but anyway...
Why not take a floor jack with you and swap out the front at the guy’s house and see if they fit?
$650 doesn’t sound like a good enough deal, unless you NEED new wheels and NEED new tires. You can get 35s for around that price and call it a day.
I wouldn’t do it.
Why not take a floor jack with you and swap out the front at the guy’s house and see if they fit?
$650 doesn’t sound like a good enough deal, unless you NEED new wheels and NEED new tires. You can get 35s for around that price and call it a day.
I wouldn’t do it.
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