Wheel backspacing

[swh75]

So I am new to the forum. My dad gave me his 1974 Blazer Cheyenne. The truck is bone stock with 26,000 original miles on it. I’ll post pics soon, but it is in the body shop getting painted. I ordered a skyjacker 4” lift, front and rear springs. I will put the lift on as soon as it gets back from the body shop. I am trying to figure out what backspacing I need on the wheels I order. I am looking to put either 15x8 or 16x8 Rallye wheels on it to keep the original look. I would really like to put 35x12.5 BF Goodrich AT on it, but will settle for 33x12.5 if I have to. I will most likely never take the truck off road for anything past light trails or very light mudding due to how good the condition is. I absolutely do not want to do any fender trimming. So my questions are which wheel size would be better, 15 or 16? What is the best backspacing to avoid problems like rubbing? And if I don’t take it off road will 35x12.5 rub at all?

 

[shady]

8" wide wheel. 4" bs. The stock wheels with 4" lift and 35x12.5 tire usually fits with little issue unless your full stuffing wheels alot (rock crawling, etc).

There is a little lip from the fender about an inch wide at the back of the opening. You can use a rubber mallet to bend that back against the inner fender and pretty much take care of the only possible problem area.

 

[shady]

It's harder to see with the mud flaps on mine, but that inch wide spot is what I'm talking about.

Once done it still looks totally stock.

 

[swh75]

I appreciate the help. I just ordered my wheels today. I got 15x8 rallye wheels. Still need to pick up tires. I should have the truck back in about a week. I’ll have to look at the fender area you’re talking about. It’s hard to tell in the photo you posted.

 

[RSAP]

I appreciate the help. I just ordered my wheels today. I got 15x8 rallye wheels. Still need to pick up tires. I should have the truck back in about a week. I’ll have to look at the fender area you’re talking about. It’s hard to tell in the photo you posted.

Any updates pics? I just got 15x10 wheels 3.75” backspace to widen the stance.. also new 35x12.5 tires.. I’ve got a 4-5 inch lift. Hard to say since prior owner did the lift and had 33’s with a huge wheel well gap

 

[muddybuddy]

Its your truck, but with 26k original miles on the clock and fresh body work/paint, i wouldn’t massage the inner fenders. I would either go with a zero-rate to get the extra inch of lift to run the size tire you want or run the 33’s without worry about chewing up the body or tires.

 

[imiceman44]

Its your truck, but with 26k original miles on the clock and fresh body work/paint, i wouldn’t massage the inner fenders. I would either go with a zero-rate to get the extra inch of lift to run the size tire you want or run the 33’s without worry about chewing up the body or tires.

I think with the 4" lift and 8" wheels there's no concern using 35" tires.
I have 33" tires on an 8" wheel and stock suspension and only on really twisted trails a little rubbing happens when turned .
I put 10" rims and I had to cut off about an in of the lower lip.
Narrow wheels is the way to go.

 

[tenderfoot]

What gear ratio was stock back then. And how much effect would that have regarding 33" vs 35".

But really if it's not ever gonna see a trail 33" gets my vote.

 

[imiceman44]

What gear ratio was stock back then. And how much effect would that have regarding 33" vs 35".

But really if it's not ever gonna see a trail 33" gets my vote.

Most likely 3.73
That will be ok with 33"
I had that on my burb for 7 years.
Now I have 4.10 much better.

 

[swh75]

I ended up going with 33X12.5 BFG AT. 4” skyjacker springs front and back. No fender trimming.

 

[trukman1]

Any updates pics? I just got 15x10 wheels 3.75” backspace to widen the stance.. also new 35x12.5 tires.. I’ve got a 4-5 inch lift. Hard to say since prior owner did the lift and had 33’s with a huge wheel well gap

What brand of tires are the ones you took off? I like the tread pattern!

 

[swh75]

Are you talking about the tire that’s on the spare in the back?

 

[trukman1]

Nope, in RSAP's post of his new tire beside the ones he replaced. The tire he replaced has a really good tread pattern for snow and off-road as well. Thanks.

ETA: That's one of the nicest Blazers I think I've ever seen. And 26,000 miles! WOW!

 

[dangerdog]

WOW! Nice ride.

 

[J-No]

Nice Ride!!