Offset and Backspacing with Lowered Gen 1 ?

[Railer150]

I have an 1986 Ford Ranger Longbed with a Small Block Chevy swapped in and next on my list was lowering both front and rear. i have the beams for the front and i plan on getting the flip kit for the rear but I'm having a hard time picking the best offset/backspacing for 15" wheels. i want to be able to fit a good size tire both front and back without much rubbing at all. any info will be greatly appreciated.

 

[doorgunner]

225/70/15 tires fit for sure.....235's----might cause fender-rubbing when turning into parking lots that have curbs...

I had to take a rubber mallet and "ROLL-UP" the lip of each fender to keep from cutting my tires when making sharp turns into curbed driveways/

 

[Railer150]

thanks. how wide of a wheel are you running ?

 

[adsm08]

How far are you looking to drop the rear? It may be better to just throw an Explorer axle in than get a flip kit. IIRC the Explorer axle and springs will lose you about 6" in the rear.

 

[stmitch]

How far are you looking to drop the rear? It may be better to just throw an Explorer axle in than get a flip kit. IIRC the Explorer axle and springs will lose you about 6" in the rear.

But, it will be a good bit wider (1.5 wider per side than stock squarebody rears if I recall) than the stock axle. It's not a big deal on a lifted truck, but when you're lowered, it can cause big issues with rubbing/tire sizing.

 

[adsm08]

I have this axle in my 87, and if he does as DG suggested and curls the fenders in and doesn't go out with his tires in terms of the backspacing he should be just fine.

 

[Railer150]

for the rear i will be swapping in a ford 9 inch rear but thats not for a while now, in terms of backspacing, i have wheels that have 5.50 inches of backspacing for the rear