Leaf spring / safe tire gap

So I finally have mounted my 275/60/15 on the maverick. Its looking like I have about a 1/4 -3/8 gap between the leaf spring and the back of the tire.

Is this considered safe or should I use a spacer? I'm thinking a 1/4 at most as these tires fill the wheel well.

And advice and experience here? Ty

 

I had a pair of 265/50 on 15x8 magnum 500s with 4.5 bs that had about a 1/4inch gap between the spring and tire and the tire ended up rubbing against the spring, at the time my lugs were not long enough to fit a 1/4 inch spacer so I ended up with a different set of wheels

 

I have less than a 1/4 and never rubs , the tires have stiff sidewalls though

 

i may run them and use a gopro to watch them. if i have to im think a 1/4 spacer. keep coming with stories as i need more input.

 

They will rub in a hard curve if you drive it hard. But it's never hurt mine. On the flip side their really close on the outside if it's lowered or has 4 people in it.

 

my 275 X60s had about 3/8" clearance. I had them on 8" rims so the sidewall stood straight up.
they had raised white letters and no rub.

 

Mine were on 8.5" wheels also. That could make a slight difference.

 

I think it is more likely that if you are that close to the leaf spring, the inner sidewall will rub on the front part of the inner fenderwell when turning onto an angled ramp. The axle tips in under those conditions.

I have 265/50/15s on 8.5 Magnums with an offset close to a stock wheel (don't recall exact number .... too many years). When bolted onto the axle, only the raised white letters, which are turned inboard, rubbed. I am running a 1/4 inch spacer.

If the rear axles in these cars were 1 inch wider (1/2 inch on each side), it would be easier to stuff more tire under the back with a wheel that doesn't have much offset. I seem to recall 69 Falcon and some early Mustang rears being that right width. Those would bolt right in, too. They all have the same spring spacing.

Whenever running spacers, vibration can become a problem. 1/4 inch isn't a lot, but you want to be sure when bolting the wheel on, to pay more attention than normal to let the lugs center that wheel and have them lightly snugged before letting the weight of the car set on them and torquing them tight.

 

So I finally got the stupid unilugs tightened down after having to learn how to do them correctly. Seems I now have about 1/8 of a gap. Ill definitely need a spacer.

In yalls opinion do I just need to be safe and go 1/2" spacer...or will 3/8-1/4 be safe? Keep in mind I will be easy on the driving but curves will be taken hard when I want to have some fun. These Mickey Thompson's balloned out slightly more than I had hoped on this 15x8" crager ss

 

Unilugs put this in a different light. By this, you mean wheels with the oval slot for two bolt patterns, and the offset oval washer? I would opt for the 1/2 inch spacers, but also the longer lug nuts that extend into the spacer to help center the wheel and spacer together as one unit. This can be tricky.

I work for American Tire Distributors, and we are wholesale only. Have your local tire retailer call 877-ATD-Wheels and that puts you in touch with a wheel expert that configure this properly. You will have to buy these through a retailer, we do not sell direct. One of my dealers just went through this exact scenario with an old pickup, single pattern Cragar SS wheels, and spacers on all four corners. It went well. I know this because I never would have heard the end of it out of this particular manager. He is one of those guys that will wear you out if things aren't right.

It will help if you bring in the wheel, washers, and lugs, or have your exact wheel model number handy. I suspect Cragar SS wheels are pretty uniform throughout the brand over the years. Have them make sure this will be OK with unilugs, too.

 

Yes the oval washers bs. I'm using cragar brand washers and lug nuts. I will also extend my studs the exact amount of what ever size spacer I use.

 

1/2" is to much. To much to extend the studs and to much which will make it rub in the outside.

 

That's very possible.

 

I've ran a 275 on my car for years. It's really to big for a driver. Inran My car all over north Ga,Tn,Alabama. Braket racing and car shows. Anytime I'd haul people with me they rub on any kind of bump or hard curve. Never enough to damage anything but they rub.

 

Man that brings back memories! Remember pumping up the ole' air shocks when extra company showed up?

And remember when one of them popped or blew a line? Lol

3/8" should give a enough safety margin. Running stiffer eye and shackle bushings can help gain a little extra safety margin too.