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#1205975 02/26/2017 7:55 PM
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 44
5
Wrench Fetcher
Wrench Fetcher
5 Offline
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 44
I have an all original 51 3100 that needs new wheels and tires. I have 16x7 wheels with 4 inch backspace. These are the smoothies from Wheel Vintiques. I want to use 215/85/r16 tires. Has anyone tried this combination? Will I have clearance issues? Is there a better combination?
Thanks for your help?

Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 10,275
5
Renaissance Man
Renaissance Man
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 10,275
I am no tire expert, but I suspect that 7 inch wide rims would be too wide for 215/85/r16 tires. Those tires are said to be a good match for stock 4 1/2 inch wide rims.
I would think that 4 inch backspace may cause interference with the drag link as well.
Carl


1952 5-window - return to "as built" condition | 1950 3100 with a 235 and a T-5 transmission
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 734
S
'Bolter
'Bolter
S Offline
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 734
Could be wrong, but one of the reasons those tires work with 4 1/2 rims is they squeeze the sidewall in a bit. However, the tread width is about the same as the 215-75 15's I'm currently running on 15x6 rims and there's plenty of room for those.

Tirerack.com has a great site, pick out a set of tires and they list all the specs better than other sites...things like tread width, overall width, recommended rim widths, etc. Put all that together and you should have a pretty good idea of what you need.

One more thing, my 15x6 rims have zero offset, which means the mounting surface runs dead center to the rim width. Forget the meaning of "backspace" but if yours is 4 inches that could be the problem you run into.
Besto luck.


Matthew 6:33

1952 Chevy 1/2-ton 3100
Late '55 235/SM420/torque tube 3.55
Dalton Highway survivor (using original 216)
www.truckwithaheart.com
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 11
J
New Guy
New Guy
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Joined: Nov 2015
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Back space and offset are two different things. Zero offset wheels still have back space and is usually half the width of the wheel if truly in the zero spot

Joined: May 2014
Posts: 44
5
Wrench Fetcher
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Joined: May 2014
Posts: 44
Thanks to all for the input! I will let you know how this works out.


Moderated by  Gdads51 

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