I have rims with 5" back-spacing . Do not know the offset . The bare rim is about 1/2" away from my back inner fender . I am guessing 1/2" or 3/4" spacer is needed
What size tire can I use & How big a spacer do I need ? Wheel is 7 inch x 17
Front wheels, I forgot my measurements from the wheel to the inside fender .........Anyone use this size wheel
Oh , I only have 5/8" thread left on wheel stud with rim on Do not remember if this is with lug on or not , I think with not , not sure ha...

 

Do all four have a 5" backspacing? Or are two different than the other two? You want the tires and wheels out as far as safe closer to the bedside. Or at least I would. This is in an effort to get the rear track as close to the front track as possible.

 

All wheels are 5" back-spaced , I read on a fourm here that 5" rims will not fit . I assume they say will not fit without a wheel spacer !!! I have a very large 15" inch tire on now & it rubs on the back inner fenders .
I have found some very good info since I posted this and will try the advice........I now wish to hear from anyone who has installed wheel with 5" backspacing !!! I believe factory wheels are 3.5" back-spaced & 4.5" is biggest you can use without a spacer . I do think I will have to press in longer studs !!! They are great, new looking wheels I bought at a great price !!! These wheels have I bet less than 50 miles on them !!!

 

OK , revisiting my 17" tire needs today . Hope I get more response this time
I have currently two stock 15" wheels on now with brand new tires I had already bought tires for $35 brand new at Sears before I bought 4 almost practically new Dodge 17" wheels .
I plan to install all 4 17" wheels eventually. I was going to run the 2 new 15" wheels until tires needed replacing . Now if you think the tracking MAY be unsafe I may install all 4 17" wheels and tires now & try to get the backtracking figured out ! This is one pitfall of buying BARGAIN parts is you have to make things match up , but it is so very satisfying if you do because it makes it so much sweeter when you get great parts to work knowing you saved lots of money , or at least it makes me feel GREAT
The Dodge rims are 7" x 17" with 5" backspacing . I have seen others run Dodge Rims & was hoping they would help . My wheels are ( 2007 I THINK or 20012 ) , the other post I have seen on here may be different year Dodge rims that have different backspacing is why no one has offered any help or the poster died or no longer logs on........
Also , do you NEED the hubs to support the wheel & tires when driving on the road ? I noticed the lugs are the only thing giving support to the wheels if I use these Dodge rims !!!
It does seem some people do use wheels with the hubs a little smaller with only the wheel studs & lugs holding the wheel on . Wither this is safe I do not know..........anyone know

 

Pretty common for manufacturers to change wheel backspacing, so just because it worked for someone else doesn't mean it will for you.

Using wheels properly species for the application is preferred, but making other wheels work is not unheard of. Important thing is to do it safely and properly. Ideally you want to make the centerline of the new wheel match the centerline of the original for least stress on bearings. This may require spacers and/or adapters.

Most wheels that use acorn style lig nuts can safely be run as lug centric, meaning centered on/by the lug nuts. Installed lug centric, wheels do not need to be supported by the hub. BTW being centered by the hub is called hub centric. The important thing to look for here is that the bore is large enough that the wheel fully seats against the mounting face when installed. If the bore is too small it may not fully seats, but to an extent this can also be corrected with spacers and/or adapters.

Spacers and adapters. Spacers are metal shims that go between the mounting surface and the wheel, they slip into place over the studs and are clamped down with the wheel. Adapters bolt to the wheel mounting surface on their own, then the wheel mounts to them. Adapters may be the same lug pattern on both sides or they may adapt to different wheel sizes. In either case research and go with good quality units, I can not recommend anything from Amazon or eBay. I highly recommend finding some that are steel, not aluminum. If you choose to run either of these ensure that the wheel mounting surface is clean, flat, and free from defects before mounting. Check torque often and if using adapters remove the wheel and check adapter torque as well.

As for the particular size you need, you will have to do some math there. Figure out the backspacing and/or offset of your current/stock wheels and the same for the new wheels. Then try to do the math yourself or find an online comparison calculator to determine how much spacer you need. Anything over 1" or over I'd recommend an adapter. Even with a 1/2" spacer I would recommend using ET style lug nuts which have an extended thread section and allows for more positive thread engagement with spacers installed.

I have personally used this offset calculator with success JR-Wheels Offset Calculator. It works with metric offsets instead of backspacing, actually easier IMO for matching up wheel centerline, since offset is measured from centerline. It will let you visualize how the wheels compare and what effect a spacer will have.

Hope that helps.

 

OK.......I am seriously thinking of waiting & get a wider axle to address Jeffa's post concerning backtracking . I am going to upgrade to trans lock eventually so NOW I will have to make more changes than originally planned and may will stay with 15" wheels until then I want to use the 17s they were cheap & will reduce my highway rpms plus they look good

 

Few things to say about your last post.

1) Wider axle is in the plans for my truck as well. I've got a 68 4x4 F-100. I put 2" spacers on the rear of mine to approximately matche the front. It looked right! From my understanding the 73+ 2wd axles are about the same width as my axle plus the 2" spacers. I intend to install this wider axle in my truck eventually if I can find one.

2) Backspacing, not backtracking. Backspacing is the measurement of mounting face (on the wheel) to the inside edge of the wheel. Backtracing is the act of retracing ones steps. Not trying to be an ***, but using the right words and terms will greatly help people understand what you are trying to say and likely garner more/better responses. Taking a little time to read and review your post before submitting can pay off greatly.

3) I have no idea what you are referring to by trans lock. As such I have no idea what modifications it may require that would affect wheel selection.

4) Wheel diameter has no bearing on highway RPMs. You can run 10" wheel (if you can fit them) or 20" wheels and make no difference in highway RPMs. The key is tire size.A larger tire diameter will reduce RPM, a smmaller diameter tire will increase RPM. You kind of need need to take that, transmission, and rear axle gearing into consideration when planning everything out. If you don;t you could end up with tiny undersized, or huge oversized, tires to meet your target cruise RPM and end up with a funny looking combination.

 

Trans-loc is axles will allow both wheels to have traction . Normally only one wheel has traction .
Backtracking Jeffa & I am referring to is front wheels is different width than the back , not walking through the woods bassackwards
You are right , Some 1973 axles are 4" wider as well as others........We may have to buy aftermarket axles to get the wider ones......

 

Again, right terminology...

That would be a "Trac-Lok", Posi-Trak, True-Trac or some other name for a limited slip differential.

No, backtracking is "walking through the woods bassackwards" or tearing a project back apart because you missed an important bolt.

What you and Jeffa are refering to is track width. In this case the rear (back) track width is narrower that the front.

Aftermarket is definitely an option. It's an expensive option, but it is an option. I'm really hoping that I can grab a later, wider axle to install in mine. It would be plenty strong enough for the power levels and duty I intend to see. Simple matter of welding on new spring perches and shock tabs in the right spots. If I don't find one, I'll order aftermarket.

 

Quote:
Originally Posted by RTT
Backtracking Jeffa & I am referring to is front wheels is different width than the back , not walking through the woods bassackwards
No, backtracking is "walking through the woods bassackwards" or tearing a project back apart because you missed an important bolt.

What you and Jeffa are referring to is track width. In this case the rear (back) track width is narrower that the front.


" NO , I KNOW WHAT I AM SAYING , YOU DO NOT : I am referring to an article from another well respected forum writer who used the phrase describing just as I said , I paraphrased him . "

 

Whatever, well respected doesn't mean right. Perhaps you could link to this article by said "well respected forum writer" so we'll know what he's talking about and what you're attempting to paraphrase.

Also for the record Jefffafa never said the word backtracking in this thread, so I have no idea when this discussion regarding "Backtracking [that] Jeffa & I am referring to" occoured.

 

You are 100% right about Jeffafa . I apologize to you & him.
The backtracking statement is from a fordification site how to article .
I do respect you & your opinions . I do wish you would try to stop being so exact in critiquing my post . I sense a slight condescending nature from you at times . Reminds me of some "old grey haired " school teachers..........ha
You are smart & I truly want more of your knowledge spread my way , just ask you to loosen up on your choice of words .
This is a casual forum that deals with old trucks not nuclear rockets that could destroy our cherished trucks .
Most times when I post I am hurrying cuz I have 100000000's of other things I need to do , after I correct my post I usually rewrite them several times & still don't always get it right & 1 post takes 30 minutes ........oh me , & I type like and old school teacher with one fangger ........but I try to help & ask advice when needed & at times not .
I say more than needed many times meaning to be helpful .
Trying to help others makes me happy , because the help I have received here has been & still is immeasurable to my peace of mind & my truck !!! I want to give back............any way I digress for the moment..........I guess....oh me......

" Thank -You 4 your continued support " - ( Barrtle & James ) .......


P.S. Yes , fangger is a Southern word , spelling differs , so I need no correction , it sometimes refers to the longest middle one .............
Peace & Luv 2 us All.........