How wide can I go? Tire Width.

Dirky · Post by **Dirky** » January 27, 2011, 10:22 pm

I am trying to figure out how wide a tire I can fit under my 66' Mercury M-100.

I put a 31x10.5-15 radial tire on the truck and found that I only have about 1/2" on either side of the tire.

Have any of you guys put a deep offset wheel in the rear and widened the wheel tubs to fit a tire say... 12" wide? I am going to run a M/T ET streets.

I am not using a custom width differential housing either.

I need all the tire I can get @ 700 H.P.

Thanks,

Derek.

Bill W · Post by **Bill W** » January 28, 2011, 12:26 am

Welcome Derek! 10.50 is about all you can get without cutting or offset rims, i had 10.50's on my 65 for a while... it's a tight fit.

Hoofbeat Racer · Post by **Hoofbeat Racer** » January 28, 2011, 12:28 am

Welcome to Slick 60s Derek. I have been following some of your posts at 460ford.com. Tried to pm you their but it didn't seem to be working

Sounds like you have big plans for your Merc. I love my SCJ headed 547. No replacement for cubes as they say.

I can stuff a 28x13.5x15 MT drag radial with no tubs and a custom offset wheel. Only difference I have is a 31 spline 9" from a 70s F150. Fits snug but should work fine.

turtle1056 · Post by **turtle1056** » January 28, 2011, 8:25 am

Hey Hoofbeat

You got any pics and specs on your offsets etc of this

I too am just building a 65 Mercury with a blown smallblock in it and was looking at offset rims, and 12" slicks but with the body already done I dont want to be cuttin the wheelwells to tub it unless I have to.

My other option and I am leanin really heavy towards is to lift it instead and make a 60s era gasser outa it, complete with transverse leaf spring front axle

charliemccraney · Post by **charliemccraney** » January 28, 2011, 9:27 am

What about modifying the rear suspension to make better use of the rubber you have? Wider tires is only a part of the story.

matt2491 · Post by **matt2491** » January 28, 2011, 2:33 pm

275mm is just about the perfect fit before its too tight and you gotta get out the sawzall. I love how 275/60/15 BFGs look in the back of my truck.

Dirky · Post by **Dirky** » March 20, 2011, 11:12 pm

charliemccraney wrote:What about modifying the rear suspension to make better use of the rubber you have? Wider tires is only a part of the story.

Exactly, it's only PART of the story.

My setup will utilize a calvert mono-leaf (spring under axle), in conjunction with cal-tracs, rear sliders, and vertically mounted coil overs behind the differential.

62flareside · Post by **62flareside** » April 2, 2011, 2:34 am

matt2491 wrote:275mm is just about the perfect fit before its too tight and you gotta get out the sawzall. I love how 275/60/15 BFGs look in the back of my truck.

I am also looking at the 275/60/15 BFG TA Radials for the rear on Crager S/S 15X8 rims with 4" backspacing. I don't think there is any chance they'll fit upfront too with spacer kit, and clear the wheel well and brake lines. Would rather not go with different wheel and tire size so I can still rotate tires front to rear, but maybe it's worth the trade off. Was also wondering if they'll still fit if I consider lowering my '62 Flareside.

(Current tire specs: Diameter 28.5" with stock 6.5 x 16 LT tires)

If I go wider on rear and blow off the rotate idea....

Perhaps I could put these on the rear:

P275/60R15 Diameter 28" Rim sizes 7.5" - 9.5" Section width 11" on 8" Rim

and these on the front:

P235/70R15 Diameter 28" Rim Sizes 6" - 8" Section width 9.5" on 7" Rim
In short, I'd like to run some beefy tires front and rear, and would love some ideas.

Thanks!

Haus · Post by **Haus** » April 2, 2011, 9:34 am

I put my truck on a 79. You loose a couple inches of clearance since the 79 rear axel is wider. I don't know what the offset is but I have 1991 or 92 ford e150 wheels on it to help clear. I'm still only a 1/2 inch from hitting on the outside. I may look at a better offset rim for the back in the future.

Dirky · Post by **Dirky** » April 2, 2011, 4:17 pm

I have decided to 4-link the truck. I am going to widen the tubs with metal from another truck, as well.

Post by **Greg D** » April 2, 2011, 11:31 pm

This had 31x10.50x 15s under the rear.

[albumimg]3433[/albumimg]

This is 275x60x15s.

Alan Mclennan · Post by **Alan Mclennan** » April 3, 2011, 12:29 am

Greg D wrote:This had 31x10.50x 15s under the rear.

[albumimg]3433[/albumimg]

This is 275x60x15s.

these are 31x10.50R 15lt

truckrod61 · Post by **truckrod61** » April 3, 2011, 7:35 am

31x18.5[/url]

truckrod61 · Post by **truckrod61** » April 3, 2011, 7:58 am

By wdog at 2011-04-02
still working on posting pics

Haus · Post by **Haus** » April 4, 2011, 7:10 pm

Dirky wrote:I have decided to 4-link the truck. I am going to widen the tubs with metal from another truck, as well.

Probably cheap enough to get from a yard, but they are also selling repops now (no dents). They are listed on Ebay for $50 each.

62galxe · Post by **62galxe** » April 10, 2011, 9:19 am

Will a 31 10:50 15 on a 8" wide wheel with 4" backspace fit on a uni.

Post by **Greg D** » April 10, 2011, 9:25 am

I think so Kenny,
Mike has 10" wheels under his Uni.
The biggest issue running these wider tires is the tend to get real close on the inside. Mine will rub if you tilt the truck far enough like pulling into a steep drive at an angle was exactly the same on the Uni. I'll need to get a pair of 1/4" spacers - should be enough.

jkimbrel65 · Post by **jkimbrel65** » April 10, 2011, 11:30 am

Should fit Kenny.

Mike

62galxe · Post by **62galxe** » April 10, 2011, 11:48 am

Thanks. Im researching changes.

randyr · Post by **randyr** » April 10, 2011, 3:38 pm

62galxe wrote:Will a 31 10:50 15 on a 8" wide wheel with 4" backspace fit on a uni.

Here's that exact wheel & tire size on a 66 shortbed. No clearance issues at all.