Just did a search for wheels and tires and all that comes back are 18". Currently, I run 15" What's up with this? Or am I just behind the current trends.

Plan to lower my 83 F100 2" by changing springs and am looking for wheels and tires for it. Someone inform me about all this new nonsense.

 

JD, if you like the 'old school' look and want to stay with 15" on your 83, take a look at the mid ninetys Ford 10-holes. They are forged aluminum with a 7.5" width, and were optional on the Broncos and trucks of that era.

They will easily fit 255x60's or bigger and still tuck under the fenderwells.

I have a set on my 78 Bronco, and like the looks. Tires are 31x10.50's. They give a more 'modern' look without being too bling-bling.

 

I have current experience with this so hopefully I can help!

I have a 1981 F150 Flairside 4*2 that I lowered 3/3 front and rear. I used DJM dream beams in front and a Belltech shackle and hanger system in back (set at the "taller" setting). Now if you think just the shackles will lower the rear 2 inches....you will be wrong! The shackles are aprx 2 inches longer, but since the axle is in the middle of the spring, you only get about 1/2 that movement! The front hanger does most of the dropping. I also converted the front to the 87 through 96 style front end, but that really doesn't matter much for wheels and tires.

Originally I ran Mangel wheels, 15*8 with neutral (4" inside/4 inch outside) offset. On these I ran 275/60/15 rims. Once I lowered the front end 3", I had less that a finger thickness between the tire and the fender lip. They rubbed front and rear on the smallest of bumps and on big bumps would try to rip the steering wheel out of my hand. I changed rims to 18*9 with a 5.5 in/3.5 out offset. On these rims I put 255/45/18 tires. I have about $750 into the set of wheels and tires (rims are powder coated "mags" and were on sale at 70.02 each, brand was ATS).

That said, if you want a 15 inch rim go with a 5" in 3" out offset and if you want a safe tire size, go with 255/60/15. These should keep it far away from the lips, be wide enough to look cool, and tall enough to keep the rpms reasonable! I could have used the 275's but I had to move them 1.5 inches inside to clear the lip and plastic, so the 255 sould be a nice fit with the rims.

Hope this helps!
Kenny

 

Thanks guys. Very helpful, both of you.

LMC says changing coil springs will lower 2" front and rear.

Also, I always heard that larger than stock wheels would change speedo gear ratio and create issues with correctness of speedometer. True?

None of the wheels I looked at said anything about offsets. Is this something I need to specify when ordering or talk with a rep about?

Thanks again

 

Wheel size won't matter to the speedo, it is the run out of the tire (circumfrence). Yes, if you shrink the diameter of the tire, the speedo will be off some, you can calculate the error with a little math if you like. Most stock speedo's are not that accurate anyway.

Yes, when you order the wheels you must know offset! They should be able to get you the right one by application, but you should confirm what they are ordering!

Shorter coils will lower the front, but how are you lowering the rear?

Kenny