Hey all...thank you for taking the time to respond. After some phone calls, taking some measurements, and speaking to someone who seemed very knowledgeable as well at Coaker, it seems the wheel below will bolt right on with no spacers required for the front. Being a 16" and only a 4" backspacing, it seems it will clear the tie rod. Now...to find the tire to fit with the proper load rating. Pretty much all sizes with the width and aspect ratio combo that would result in a height very close to a 7x15 bias, is only available in an "XL" load rating...basically, a slightly stronger passenger car tire. Definitely not the best choice. So...the quest continues. In all honesty, I'm not terrified of split ring rims. With a flapper, radial tube, and radial tire, the stock 15s would work just fine too. Split ring rims can be dealt with quite safely as long as one is aware of necessary precautions. that said, I may very well just order some F Load rated 15s and put em on the stock wheels. Option 2, the bias look radials from Coaker.
https://www.cokertire.com/wheels/8-lug-wheel-primed-16x6.html
