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Backspacing and clearance with a 10-inch rim?

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Tcrafty

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Hey all,

I'm looking at getting some rims for my '99 step-side. To get the look I'm going for, I'll be using a 15-inch rim. I'm considering rally wheels and found a 10-inch wide wheel with a 4.25-inch backspacing. I see that many folks are using 10-inch rims with a 5.5-inch backspacing.

My question is, how much room do you have between the spring and the frame on the inside and at the fender? Since this is only 4.5-inches of backspace, I can't make the wheel backspacing any deeper. If there was too much backspacing, I could add a shim. Not preferred, but possible.

So, anyone who has added 10-inch rims, can you tell me ultimately how they fit? Do I have a prayer of making these wheels fit with a 4.5-inch backspace?

As always, any information is greatly appreciated!
 
#2 ·
a 10" wide wheel will not fit inside the bed side with 4.25" or 4.5" backspacing. You will hit the bedside if you load it down or lower the vehicle. 9.5" just fits in there with 5.5" backspacing. I think I'd want something like 5.75" if it were 10" wide. If you are going to lower the truck with leaf springs you might want to consider a rear sway bar as well because during hard cornering, the body roll will cause the tire to rub the inside of the wheel well.
 
#3 ·
Those numbers that @manbearpig gives are correct for a 2WD truck. For a 15x10, you want 5.75" of backspacing, maybe even 6" (measure to the frame to make sure that won't rub the frame).

For a 4WD truck, add 1.5 inches more backspacing. The 4WD axle is longer wheel flange to wheel flange, and the rims need additional backspacing (both front and rear) to accommodate that.
 
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Discussion starter · #4 ·
Thanks for the input.
Since I know that each situation can vary a bit, I finally got a chance to go out and check under my truck in between rain storms. Here's what I found.
Image


Image


I've not had a wheel off yet to check, but if the LS "swirls" are indeed 4-inch backspacing, I think a 5.5-inch backspace would fit.

I'm trying to stick with a 15-inch rim and figuring on the sidewall to fill in the wheel opening. By the looks of things, I'd say a 5.5-inch backspacing might be the most I would want to go. Thoughts?
 
#5 · (Edited)
With a 10" wheel, you are bordering on the limits of what can fit period, without modification. It'll be a tight fit. Doesn't help that with 15s, your tires are going to balloon out a little.

Here is 9.5" wide, 5.5" backspacing on a 17" wheel. Barely squeaks by.
Image
Image
 
Discussion starter · #6 ·
Yeah. I'm starting to see it. I had hopes of big, meaty tires out back. :cool:

I can see where there are limitations to how much you can stuff in that 5LB bag. I'm looking around and thinking that a 10-inch rim might not be the way to go. Bummer.
 
#9 ·
Yeah, don't forget to look at tires. 15" choices in taller sidewalls is getting slim. I usually ran shorter 205/65r15 because real performance tires are not available for anything taller. I don't even think that size has much available anymore.
 
#10 ·
Currently running 215/70R15 front on 15x7 wheels and 255/60R15 on 15x8 wheels at the rear. Cooper Cobras.

They have a 295/50R15 size available that fits 15x9 or 15x9.5 wheels.

Relatively happy with my tires and wheels. I'll probably get some 17s for autocross tires if I go back to doing that with an S10.
 
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Discussion starter · #11 ·
Yeah, I'm gonna pull away from the 10-inch rims right now. Looking at the Cooper Cobras as well. I'll let you know how it all pans out. Gotta rebuild the steering first! Then wheels, then tires, then, likely want to give it a drop. Just the beginning.
 
#12 ·
Tcrafty said:
Yeah, I'm gonna pull away from the 10-inch rims right now. Looking at the Cooper Cobras as well. I'll let you know how it all pans out. Gotta rebuild the steering first! Then wheels, then tires, then, likely want to give it a drop. Just the beginning.
Click to expand...
I have Coper Cobras on my ZQ8 wheels. They're very quite and have great traction dry or wet weather.
 
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