S-10 axel and wheel off-set for a Spirit body

[mikesplumbing]

Any of you guys running an S-10 rear axel (1999-54 3/8) with the thinner vintage style tires and a spirit body. What I need to figure out is a set of rims and tires to use just for the mock-up stage but I would like to get something close to what i'm going to put on it when i'm done. Don't know if it's possible but the closer I can get to the off-set the better off I am.

Any advice on a vehicle that has the rims and tire size that gets me close to the right off-set?

Mike

 

[Hotrod46]

Mike - I'm not running a Spirit body, but I am using the same rearend and my wheels are pretty narrow (7") compared to most folks.

I'm using 3" backspace on reversed rims and it works well. My tires are R255/70's and would be comparable to about an 8.50 bias ply tire.

Backspacing is the most important measurement. Since that is what determines whether you will clear the body or not.

I'll measure my bed so you can compare it to a Spirit.

Mike

 

[mikesplumbing]

Hey Mike!

What do you mean by reversed rims?

Mike

 

[Hotrod46]

On steel wheels there is an area rolled into the rim where the center welds to. On a stock wheel, this is positioned so that the mounting surface (where it bolts to the hub) is centered front to back (or nearly so). Old time hot rodders used to cut the welds loose and turn the wheel center over (reversed the center). This gave a deeper look to the wheel and widened the track a few inches.

Here is a link to the Early Wheel website. About halfway down the page is a diagram showing what I'm talking about.

Early Wheel Company | Rally Wheels, Smooth Center Wheels, Hubcaps, and Trim Rings

 

[Hotrod46]

Mike - I just measured my bed. It's 42" at the rear where the "tailgate" is. My tires clear this by 2" on each side.

 

[mikesplumbing]

AHHHHH! OK, I checked it out and it makes sense now, thanks Mike!

For mock-up, i'm almost better to just buy chevy S-10 spar tires, something really thin. That way it's gonna fit and once it's on I can just measure and order the tires and rims.......that should work right?

Mike

 

[GT63]

I beleive Spirit uses the rear axel from a S10 4x4 because it's wider.

 

[mikesplumbing]

Thanks Mike, i'll take your numbers and work some math and see what I come up with. What size rims do you have on the rear? Do you have any close up photos of the back of your ride?

Mike

 

[GT63]

Most builders use an axle that is 54 to 56 inches flange to flange.

 

[mikesplumbing]

Thanks GT, i'll go on there website and see what i can come up with.

Mike

 

[Hotrod46]

Mike - Here's the best shot I have of the rear.

 

[T-Odd]

There are a few pics of my Spirit bucket from 2005 NTBA Nats on Photoman's website

2005 National T Bucket Alliance Nationals album | DavidShipmanPhotography

That was back in 2005 when I was running the 7" wide Ansens with 255/75/r15 tires. That was the tallest tires I could find (and afford) at the time.

Still want to put some portawalls on them to see what that looks like...

 

[mikesplumbing]

Thanks T-Odd, looks like you two are really having a blast in the bucket!

I'll click on the link and see what I can come up with.

Mike

 

[Lee_in_KC]

Before I went to the Jag rearend I had the 54.5" S-10 rearend in my Spirit car. I had 3-3/8" backset and my tires (31x18.50x15 Hoosiers) cleared the flare in the pickup bed by about an inch.