Greetings. I own a 1972 F100 Custom with a 302 and RAT 3-speed. The time has come for new wheels and tires. I'm not sure if this has already been discussed but I'd like to know how wide and tall of a tire you can go in the rear, comfortably. Without cutting or modifying anything. 295 50 15's? Bigger? Smaller? I'm going to eventually lower the truck a few inches but that will be a much later time. I've already picked out some wheels and I believe I can go for a 15x8 or 15x10. I like the modern radial with a ballooned out look. The front will have some skinnies and I've basically figured them out, it's the rear I'm pulling my hair over. Please lend me your advice and greater wisdom.
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I know that you can go to at least a 285 with no problem. As far as height goes though you can go a lot taller than a 50. I have a lowered f250, 4.5/6 inch and I run a 235/85r16 on the rear which is about 32inches tall.
I have 265/75-15's on mine and still have lots of room.
Randy
1970 F100 Sport Custom Limited LWB, 302cid, 3 on the tree. NO A/C, NO P/S, NO P/B. Currently in 1000 pcs while rebuilding. Project thread: http://www.fordification.com/forum/view ... 22&t=59995 Plan: 351w, C4, LSD, pwr front disc, p/s, a/c, bucket seats, new interior and paint.
1987 F-150 XLT Lariat, 5.0/C6 auto.
I had a stock 72 F250 camper special and had 33" tires on my stock 16.5 inch rims and that was about as big as you could go without rubbing. Only time I rubbed is if I went into a corner fast. But for normal driving and cornering, it cleared the 33" tires at stock height with no problems. Here is a picture of the truck with those tires on it:
Well gentlemen, after doing some head crunching research and measurements, I came to the stunning realization that I cant go any wider than what I currently have if I want to lower the truck. I have 265x75x15's. The back edge of the tire is literally inline with the fender well lip.... Fabrication and tubbing would be required if I would want to lower it at all with wider tires. Posting pic so hopefully it could be more clear. If I didn't want to lower it, I could easily go up to 3+ inches closer to the suspension which would allow a 6+ inch wider tire overall. I COULD get some ridiculously expensive wheels with an offset and backspace far enough into the wheel which would bring the tire out far enough to miss the fender well lip but I don't want to invest so much right now just for wheels. So I'm going to fallback, keep the rear tires on and get some used smaller tires for the front to still give it that back roads 70's hot rodder look (much cheaper anyway and I can use that extra money for other upgrades) and run with that until I can tub out the rear fender wells and just go all out on a fat rear Hoosier, later on in time.
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1972 Ford F100 Custom LWB. 302. RAT 3.03 wide ratio with Hurst shifter. 3.25 rear end.
1962 Ford Falcon Ranchero (Project)
Not too much room between the wheel and the wheel well for sure.
Might check out a spacer or price out the rims with a rear offset. I don't think the offset would cost anymore than a regular rim like for the front. The only thing is that you wont be able to rotate the wheels from front to back when that time comes but I don't think you would do that anyhow
I'd also like to chime in as I was going to post a very similar thread topic. I'm building more of a street truck, (CV front and axle flip rear). I'm wondering what backspacing will i need for a rim?
I first read somewhere to run a 5.5 backspacing, but now this guy says to only run a 4.75 BS, anything else will not fit the tire. Anyone have experience in trying to run a MT street radial.
I'd like to run a 295/65/15, or even a 275/60/15. Keeping a tall tire and having lots of sidewall is key for this set up. (I believe...) http://www.fordmuscleforums.com/truck-f ... 0-swb.html
I'm not sure if this has already been discussed but I'd like to know how wide and tall of a tire you can go in the rear, comfortably. Without cutting or modifying anything. 295 50 15's? Bigger? Smaller? I'm going to eventually lower the truck a few inches but that will be a much later time. I've already picked out some wheels and I believe I can go for a 15x8 or 15x10. I like the modern radial with a ballooned out look. The front will have some skinnies and I've basically figured them out, it's the rear I'm pulling my hair over. Please lend me your advice and greater wisdom. 
Fabrication and tubbing would be required if I would want to lower it at all with wider tires. Posting pic so hopefully it could be more clear. If I didn't want to lower it, I could easily go up to 3+ inches closer to the suspension which would allow a 6+ inch wider tire overall. I COULD get some ridiculously expensive wheels with an offset and backspace far enough into the wheel which would bring the tire out far enough to miss the fender well lip but I don't want to invest so much right now just for wheels. So I'm going to fallback, keep the rear tires on and get some used smaller tires for the front to still give it that back roads 70's hot rodder look (much cheaper anyway and I can use that extra money for other upgrades) and run with that until I can tub out the rear fender wells and just go all out on a fat rear Hoosier, later on in time.
