Notices
1967 - 1972 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Bumpsides Ford Truck

Wheels - Backspace and Offset?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 27, 2019 | 02:30 PM
  #1  
Fleetwood271's Avatar
Fleetwood271
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 344
Likes: 7
Wheels - Backspace and Offset?

I need help understanding backspace and offset.

I am installing a DJM lowering kit on my 1969 F100. It will drop the front 3" and the rear 4".

Planning to buy new wheels and tires.

Do I need to worry about backspace and offset when buying new wheels?

What width wheels and tires will work well with my truck without any rubbing issues?

I am not leaning toward and certain size wheels or tires. I was just basically trying to eliminate (or at least reduce) the gap between the top of the tire and the fender well.

Any advice would be helpful.

Thanks!
 
Reply
Old Mar 27, 2019 | 09:36 PM
  #2  
1TonBasecamp's Avatar
1TonBasecamp
Lead Driver
5 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Community Builder
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 9,545
Likes: 1,156
From: San Jose, CA
I'm sure you'll get a lot of help here Fleetwood. I'm pretty sure I've seen talk from quite a few members that have performed the DJM install.
Is there anything in their instructions about backspacing or offset requirements? They may not talk about tire size, leaving that up to the end-user to determine what fits on their particular truck and what they like the look of. But often there are physical limitations to just how much wheel can hang out behind the hub/wheel flange and things like king-pins, springs and spindles/knuckles and such.

Are you also wanting to know what the terms mean? Or do you have that down and are just asking about DJM specifics?

Paul
 
Reply
Old Mar 29, 2019 | 11:01 AM
  #3  
HIO Silver's Avatar
HIO Silver
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,678
Likes: 82
From: NorCal
Originally Posted by Fleetwood271
I need help understanding backspace and offset.

I am installing a DJM lowering kit on my 1969 F100. It will drop the front 3" and the rear 4".

Planning to buy new wheels and tires.

Do I need to worry about backspace and offset when buying new wheels?

What width wheels and tires will work well with my truck without any rubbing issues?

I am not leaning toward and certain size wheels or tires. I was just basically trying to eliminate (or at least reduce) the gap between the top of the tire and the fender well.
I did an axle flip in back and DJM beams in front for a -3 and -5.25 drop, respectively. I used new steel wheels from Wheels Vintiques, Series 62... rears are 15x8 with 4-inch BS wearing 275/60-15s. Fronts are 15x7 with 3.5-inch BS and 225/70-15 tires. The truck sits level and no rubbing whatsoever. I should have gone with 235/60-15s in front for a lil rake. Whenever I carry a load, the rear is lower than the front by a hair.

As a rule of thumb, backspacing should be half the wheel width for these trucks...an 8-inch width in the rear commonplace. However, a 9-inch width would be perfect but there doesn't seem to be decent wheels with that width.

I suggest searching Bump articles online for different wheel/tire combos then work with a local retailer (or online company) to determine the required specifications.

.
 
Reply
Old Mar 30, 2019 | 07:48 PM
  #4  
Fleetwood271's Avatar
Fleetwood271
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 344
Likes: 7
Originally Posted by 1TonBasecamp
I'm sure you'll get a lot of help here Fleetwood. I'm pretty sure I've seen talk from quite a few members that have performed the DJM install.
Is there anything in their instructions about backspacing or offset requirements? They may not talk about tire size, leaving that up to the end-user to determine what fits on their particular truck and what they like the look of. But often there are physical limitations to just how much wheel can hang out behind the hub/wheel flange and things like king-pins, springs and spindles/knuckles and such.

Are you also wanting to know what the terms mean? Or do you have that down and are just asking about DJM specifics?

Paul
Thanks for your response. I've been out of town and not able to respond.
I have not opened the boxes from DJM yet, but I doubt if they give and direction pertaining to what size wheels to use.
I understand the terms, I just need to know what size wheels and tires would work well on my truck, after the DJM drop. Or, will any tire/wheel combo that worked before it was lowered, still work after it is lowered?
 
Reply
Old Mar 30, 2019 | 07:51 PM
  #5  
Fleetwood271's Avatar
Fleetwood271
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 344
Likes: 7
Originally Posted by HIO Silver
I did an axle flip in back and DJM beams in front for a -3 and -5.25 drop, respectively. I used new steel wheels from Wheels Vintiques, Series 62... rears are 15x8 with 4-inch BS wearing 275/60-15s. Fronts are 15x7 with 3.5-inch BS and 225/70-15 tires. The truck sits level and no rubbing whatsoever. I should have gone with 235/60-15s in front for a lil rake. Whenever I carry a load, the rear is lower than the front by a hair.

As a rule of thumb, backspacing should be half the wheel width for these trucks...an 8-inch width in the rear commonplace. However, a 9-inch width would be perfect but there doesn't seem to be decent wheels with that width.

I suggest searching Bump articles online for different wheel/tire combos then work with a local retailer (or online company) to determine the required specifications.

.
Thank you for your response. I appreciate the info. So based on your experience, if I go with the same wheels/tire sizes you did, I should be fine, right? No rubbing issues?
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Megiddo
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
8
Apr 15, 2018 11:28 AM
greentruck72
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
7
Jan 26, 2017 11:16 AM
mikek2111987
1999 - 2016 Super Duty
9
Oct 12, 2011 08:08 PM
reed1951
1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
19
Jul 1, 2011 08:23 PM
49willard
1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
5
Feb 13, 2008 11:41 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:05 PM.

story-0
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-1
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-2
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-3
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-4
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-5
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-6
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
story-7
Ford Super Duty: 5 Things Owners LOVE, 5 Things They LOATHE!

Slideshow: Ranking the 5 things owners love about their Super Duty and 5 things they don't

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 16:36:49


VIEW MORE
story-8
Every 2026 Ford Truck Engine RANKED from WORST to FIRST!

Slideshow: Ranking all 12 Ford truck engines available in 2026.

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 13:32:20


VIEW MORE
story-9
The Best F-150 Deal of Every Trim Level (XL through Raptor)

Slideshow: The best Ford F-150 deal for every trim level (XL through Raptor)

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-21 15:59:01


VIEW MORE