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I want to upgrade my '73 F100 Explorer's wheels and tires. I love the classic muscle car look, so I'm planning to go with a set of American Racing Torq Thrust II wheels with gray spokes and satin rim in size 15" x 8", shod with a set of BFG Radial T/A tires in size 235/70-15 (they are the same 28.0" diameter as the original G78-15 tires, so no speedo error). But what wheel offset/backspace do I need? They come in several values. I've done some internet digging but I haven't found "the magic number". The truck's brakes (front disc, rear drum) and suspension are bone-stock and will remain that way. The 235s are about 20 mm wider than the original factory tires. I need to avoid clearance issues. Is this as simple as just finding an offset close to +20 mm to bring the wheels out a little bit, which should avoid clearance problems? Am I over-thinking this or under-thinking this? I'm no tire expert.
Hi Alan. I've done some more digging and learned more about the subject in general, and I think what you say is true. What I'm more concerned about, and have contacted the wheel manufacturer about, is disc brake caliper clearance. I may have to buy one wheel and test-fit it on the hub to see if it will adequately clear the caliper. If it turns out that this will be a problem, I can upsize to 17" wheels. That's the only size the manufacturer says will fit the truck properly. I'm awaiting their response.
The set of Wheel Vintiques wheels I just got on my 73 are 15x8 with 4 inch backspacing.
If you are looking for that style of 5 spoke wheel, I think something like these would work (but I don't know anything about this brand of wheels). https://www.ebay.com/
I purchased a set of "Vision" wheels for my '76 2wd,front calipers.These have the look & style of the Torque Thrust. Good price. I will track down the actual back spacing etc. but my memory from the year ago purchase is 4" back space, 15X8" width & size.Perfect fit on the rear. Barely hitting on the front bolt HEAD that holds the brake "wedge" on the front caliper. Either grind 1/16-1/8 off the head or use an Allen head bolt,like I did
,to hold the sliding wedge in place.
I cannot find ANYTHING at all for the receipts,descriptions,etc,etc, for all my purchases for my truck ! Geez! I'll keep looking but the info in my prior post is accurate enough for folks to research the Vision wheels. I'm very satisfied w/them. gary
vtpkrat2,
Do you have any photos showing what you did with the caliper bolts? I wonder if that might be a solution to allow me to use the genuine 15" x 8" Torq Thrust wheels. I don't like the shiny finish on the spokes of the Vision wheels. I'm also wondering if a spacer between the wheel and hub might do the trick.
To anyone else reading this,
What classic-look 15" custom wheels are you running on your truck with disk brakes, and what did you have to do to make them fit? I know I've seen dentside trucks with Torq Thrust types, Cragar S/S types, and so forth. I can use 17" Torq Thrusts, but that means buying a set of tires, and my truck's 15" tires are almost new.
The shine on the spokes in my pic is more from the camera than the actual wheel color.Find the wheels online (Ebay) and look at their actual pictures.They are as close to Torq Thrust as I could find after LONG searches.
If you were changing the brake pads on your truck. You would remove a single bolt(either 1/2" or 9/16" wrench,can't recall which) ,that once removed, the sliding,horizontal "wedge" & little leaf spring slides out.You then can lift the caliper off the caliper bracket &change the brake pads. THAT is the bolt head that sticks UP (read again, UP) to far & slightly rubs on the INSIDE of the rim. Moving the rim IN or OUT with spacers is not going to help. As the bolt head will just hit in a different spot farther in or out on the inner rim.
If you grind the bolt head DOWN,lowering the height (but retaining barely enough for a wrench to install or remove it) it clears these rims. I happened to replace the bolt with an Allen head bolt which still keeps the wedge from moving and clears the rim.
Look at your caliper,it is the only bolt there.good luck! gary
Now that you have got past the style you want.... Torq Thrust we'll say. And hopefully find the correct size... 15"... for your tires.And find the correct wheel bolt pattern.... 5.5/ 139.7. And find the correct back spacing...3 1/2" to 4". I will now introduce you to the biggest snag I ran into as if the previously listed ones were /are not enough !!
The dreaded center hole size on the front rims to fit over the front wheel hub assembly.!! A lot of folks have that center hole machined larger to fit. All rims I researched had 1 or more of the already mentioned problems. The Vision wheels presented the style/proper size/spacing etc, for me to just slip on, with only the little "too tall bolt" snag on the front. I am not in any means promoting these wheels for you or any one else. These work for me and the reasons are given strictly for your reference to help ,maybe,in your selection. Double check ALL measurements I have given you & anyone else for that matter ,'cause usually "once you bought 'em you got 'em." gary
Well, after all of the discussion and much internet research, I ordered a set of Torq Thrust Originals in 17" x 8". They'll definitely fit, the price was about the same as the 15", and they'll look classic with a bit of modern flair. Price was right: $544 for the set, including center caps, lug nuts, locking lug nuts, and chrome valve stems, and free shipping. Now to find suitable tires. . .
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Wheel offset/backspace recommendations?
Ebay- Gray spokes,Black spoke,polished spokes A quickie look was @$120 each. Vision 15x139.7
