I may order the 15x8 wheels and just see. I have time. There is no issue with the rear drums, correct?
CK5
Register an account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members.
TJ's tire thread
- Thread starter TJ1978
- Start date
I had no issues with my 14-bolt, even with the larger brake drums and 3.75 backspacing.
When I did the disc brake conversion it definitely got the calipers pretty close though.
Yeah but I can 15x8 8x6.5?? With 3.75 backspacing, I can only find at very least 4' back spacing which makes Nervous of the reardrums.
Unfortunately I have no photos of the old setup for reference for you.
I have a couple of sets of 15" 8 lug wheels
No worries. I was a site called pirate 4x or something and while some say it's no big deal otners have reported to need more finessing to get the 15's to fit. The only way to get a shorter back space is 15x10 or get the 15x8 made custom with proper back spacing.
I think keeping the wheels I have is the best bet for now
I think keeping the wheels I have is the best bet for now
I had 15x10’s with 3” bs on dana 60 little over a decade ago. I went with 3” to avoid significant grinding (4.25” for example). Yea had to grind, but i dont remember it being offensive, nothing structural. It was test fitting the bare rim and marking caliper and then grinding, test fitting, marking, etc. its easy. I wouldnt hesitate to do it again. Had 3/4ton front calipers/ discs on the rear, didnt have to touch them at all. Not sure if drums would need love, would assume 11” wiuldnt , 13” may need some. Grinding the fins down some should be the extent of it.
You could always run a 1” spacer to significantly reduce the amount of grinding needed. Used Low bs 15” wheels pop up for sale once in a while, they use to flood the classifieds, but obviously everything 15’s is dying these days
You could always run a 1” spacer to significantly reduce the amount of grinding needed. Used Low bs 15” wheels pop up for sale once in a while, they use to flood the classifieds, but obviously everything 15’s is dying these days
Pirate 4x4 is persona non grata any more.
Was a happen place 5 years ago.
Those guys would have roasted you whole back then.
They all moved to Irate4x4
Was a happen place 5 years ago.
Those guys would have roasted you whole back then.
They all moved to Irate4x4
Old crappy pictures, but these are on a '75 K20 External Dana 44 I put under my '88 V10 Suburban.
Grinding the calipers is a better option than running wheels with stupid offsets.
The 15" wheels fit a 14bff with no modifications.
Martin
I ground about 1/4” or so off the outer half of the calipers and brackets. This was to fit steel wheels with 3.5” backspacing.
I got lucky and a friend has a 15x8 wheel that I used to test fit / grind / test fit / etc.
4.0 is the smallest backspacing you can get in 15x8 8x6.5...
15x10 has shorter back spacing but the wheels will stick out a ridiculous amount, unless that's the look you're after.
15x10 has shorter back spacing but the wheels will stick out a ridiculous amount, unless that's the look you're after.
The wheel I used definitely has 3.5” backspace, it’s an old Bart wheel. I’m not sure if they still make them.
There still available if you’re looking for some (8 lug only).
I saw that site, I thought it was fake, sure looks dated and out of service.
At least for now, I think keeping the wheels I have and just getting new 35" tires is the best way to go. Maybe sometime down the road I'll switch wheels and tires etc.
Last edited:
It's $500 cheaper to replace the current 37's with 35's than getting new wheels and tires so... unless someone here has some 15x8 8x6.5 wheels they want to unload. New 35's it is.
Getting 35's won't mess with the driveline angles or rear gearing? Besides I don't even know what the rear hearing is, so.
Won't mess with the angles but it will cause your gearing to act like you lowered (numerically raised) it. The truck should feel peppier afterwards with the different ratio and the lighter tire. Your cruising RPM's will be slightly higher but not a bunch.
Ok, so I won't have to mess with any of that?
Thanks..
