The wheels are tucked a bit too far under the truck to my liking, and I really want to do something about it to give the truck a wider stance and ultimately a different look.

I know that I could buy wider wheels and tires, but that would be to expensive, and I just don't have the funds right now to be able to go in that direction.

I was thinking about making some massive spacers to go in between the brake drum and the wheel. But I'm concerned about safety, and am wondering what kind of problems I might encounter by trying to run wheel spacers that are up to 3" deep. However, if this method is safe and sound enough, I could make the spacers myself, install longer studs, and achieve the look I want.

The only other option I can see (which I am not even sure can be done) is to somehow detach the center piece of the wheel from the rim (which is presumably welded together), and move the rim out the desired distance (2"-3"), and then weld the rim back onto the center piece in the new location. Not only would this pull off the look that I am searching for, but it would also have a sort of "deep dish" look to it, which I think looks sweet. Also, I think this would be safer, if done correctly. However, that is just the thing; I've never heard of this being done before, or even if it is a common hot-rodding practice? Could a shop with good fabrication skills do this? Even if they could, they would have to be able to do it for next to nothing, because as I mentioned earlier, I have very little money to spend.

What do you think? If you have any ideas on how to get widen that track width, I'd love to hear them. Thanks!

Here are some pics of the truck:





Notice how the wheels are wicked close to the inner fenders, and therefore tucked as much as possible under the body.



I could bring the wheels out a good 3" and still have space to spare...

 

Those are stock ford narrow innie wheels......On the back.... There supposed to be like that.

Buy wider rims and tires with the same offset...

Spacers are iffy and dangerous if not done correctly.

Avoid reverse type wheels wiht a straight axle as i exasperates bump steer.

Garbz

 

How do I find out what the current wheels' offset is?

 

Should be a stock 3 and 3/8"

Place a straight edge across the back of the rim and measure to the face of the lug surface.

Garbz

 

matt2491


Here is a link that may help?

Widening Steel Wheels - FordMuscle.com


P.S. I had a shop that I had make me a set of rear (banded) stock 14 Inches
Wide wheels, as for it being cheaper I paid $ 100 each to get the look I wanted!



Wally Womack

 

I have a set of cheapy previous to my ownership purchased rusted chrome wheels that still cost $35 per from summitracing with a set of G/T Qualifiers on my truck. When I was running 275/60R15's I had about 1/4" os space between the fender lip and tire tread on the back. The total cost of going new all the way around will be about $500, includes mount, balance, road hazard, and disposal fee's here in Cali. Or you can save up a tad and buy a set of mickey thompson classic II's for $115 per wheel. Check out all the different tire and wheel sites to see the different prices then pit them against one another. You'll be surprised to see how many places will drive their price down to get your money.

 

if you want a set of 15" x 10" wide wagon wheels in black, contact me. the set will sell for 150.00 picked up or we will ship.

 

I don't think my stock 292 could take advantage of 10" worth of rubber; plus, I don't think I could fit them in there anyways. I just want a couple inches so the truck doesn't look so 'tippity-top.'

 

Your 292 can spin the 10" wide tires... Just have a puddle in front of them and you be smoking them like it is cool.

 

Sure, with the help of a slick surface, but on dry pavement, I can spin them now with the 6" wheels, but not with 10". I think its just a bit excessive...

I don't know. Tomorrow I'm going to go look through the junkyards around here. I'm sure I'll be able to find something.

 

Okay, say I wanted to reverse just the rear wheels (as Garbz mentioned, reverse wheels up front can cause bumpsteer), is there anything I should be careful about when welding the center piece back to the rim? Obviously, make sure it is true, but besides that, how strong does the weld need to be?