Sanity check on new wheels

Discussion in 'Wheels and Tires' started by feralsmile, Dec 16, 2021.

  1. feralsmile

    feralsmile New Member

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    Hello, first time posting. I'm only now starting to play around with messing with my Maverick so I'm pretty ignorant of just about everything. I'm looking for a sanity check "Will this work" or "Here is a problem you're overlooking" response.

    I have a 1973 Ford Maverick Grabber. I'm buying new wheels for the front and back. The wheel/tire combo currently on it when I bought it rubs the front when I turn, and the rear tires look skinny to me.

    I'd like to put these on, 8in wide on the back and 7in wide on the front:

    https://www.summitracing.com/parts/rwg-100p-5806500 (rear)
    https://www.summitracing.com/parts/rwg-100p-5706500 (front)

    As I understand it, the backspacing and sizing means I should be able to just plug these onto my (drum brake) rear and front without any issues or spacers or anything; is that right? The website warns me that "This does not fit your car!" but I think that may be because the original wheel diameter was 14in on the stock model?

    Thank you in advance for any advice or guidance.

    Eric
     
  2. 71gold

    71gold Frank Cooper Supporting Member

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    :Welcome:...:Handshake:
    On my 73 I have 15 x 8s in rear and15 x 6s on front.
    how is the suspension on your car. weak springs and worn out parts can effect the ride height and affect the tire / wheel combo.
     
  3. Acornridgeman

    Acornridgeman MCCI Wisconsin State Rep Moderator Supporting Member

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    4 1/2 backspacing "may" cause a rub on the leaf springs. On some cars they clear fine - on others there has been issues.
    Lots of threads on wheel size and backspacing here.
     
  4. BBMS18

    BBMS18 Member

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    Here is some wheel & tire information I’ve collected, hopefully it help’s.

    Comet/Maverick wheel/tire combo’s
    FRONT
    14x7 w/ 225/60-14s
    15x5 w/ 195/65-15s
    15x7 w/ 225/60-15s
    16x7 w/ 245/45-16s
    3-1/2 or 4 inch backspacing
    Front 17x7 w/ 245-40/17s
    4 inch backspacing.

    REAR
    14x8 w/ 235/60-14s
    15x8 w/ 245/60-15s
    15x8 w/ 255/60-15s or G-60/15s
    15x8 w/ J-60/15s (M&H racemasters)
    16x8 w/ 255/50-16
    3-1/2 or 4 inch backspacing
    18x8 w/ 275/35-18
    4 inch backspacing
     
  5. bmcdaniel

    bmcdaniel Senile Member

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    Same sizes here. I did find on the front, with a lot of backspace (4"), it has less leverage on the spring and caused the car to sit higher.
     
  6. feralsmile

    feralsmile New Member

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    It's fine, I think? I can grab the specifications of the tires and rims tomorrow, but right now the rear has 15in diameter wheels and unusually thick tires. If I looked for a different backspacing to be safe, would I look for a number under 4.5in, like 4 or 3.5?

    Thanks for your help everyone; I'm approaching this from a deep well of ignorance.
     
  7. Hotrock

    Hotrock Rick, an MCCI Member Supporting Member

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    Back spacing on the rear of our cars with an 8" x 15" wheel should be either 4.5" or 4.25" no more or less. Just my experience. Wheel and tire fitment and photos for select cars can be found in the Garage section of this site.

    Welcome to the site from northeast Ohio!
     
  8. bmcdaniel

    bmcdaniel Senile Member

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    If you need just a small amount of clearance to the leaf springs you can add wheel spacers. Here in PA we're allowed up to 1/4" thick spacers. I only had 1/2" clearance without them, now have 3/4". 'Course my setup is kinda oddball. I have a '70 Mustang 9" rear that's 2" wider on each side than a Maverick rear. My wheels were originally 15X6 w/4" backspace and I had them widened to 15X8 with the 2" extra added towards the inside. This place can make your wheels whatever width you need:
    https://weldcraftwheels.com/
     
    Last edited: Dec 17, 2021
  9. jasonwthompson

    jasonwthompson Member

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    I have 15x7 fronts with 4in. bs and 235/60-15, no problems. I would not go more than 4.25 bs on the rear.
     
  10. feralsmile

    feralsmile New Member

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    Awesome. Thank you, everyone.
     
  11. 71gold

    71gold Frank Cooper Supporting Member

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    I have ran 275x60x15 on 8" rims in the rear on mine once with no rubbing.
     
  12. TeeEl

    TeeEl Member

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    4-inch backspace is ideal for a Maverick that has the original-width rear axle.
    The 4.5" backspace is gonna rub the leafspring or the inner fame rail...
     
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