Backspace Quandary

dieseleagle

New member
I'm close to completing an axle swap on my 68 Travelall. The donor axles came from a 1986 3/4 ton 4wd suburban. It's time to get serious about wheels and tires. Does anyone know what the stock backspace distance is on oem 8 lug wheels?
 
Which oem 8 lug wheels? -- 69 - 75 IH? Or, 86 suburban?

Aren't the GM axles wider than IH axles?

And, the backspacing might be dependent on the width of the rims.

For 9.50 x 16.5 tires on an IH, the backspacing is 4 1/2"...

I have aftermarket 16 x 7 rims (245/75 r16 tires) on my 73 1210 t/a with 4" backspacing and the tires seem a little closer to the fender lip (not really surprising).
 
I appreciate the reply. I was referring to the GM oem wheel. Fitting around the drum in the rear can be very flexible, but in the front the tie rod ends and calipers are probably going to dictate the maximum distance in order to clear. The GM axles are wider by about 2 inches and I'm trying to determine whether there is enough wiggle room to make that up with additional backspacing on the rims. Doesn't look like it, so the wheels will be just a little proud of the fenders. Oh well, at least I can find parts.

By the way, to maybe save the next guy time on research. The backing plate/dust shield for the 3/4 ton GM disc brake setup is not available in the aftermarket. All the rest of the pieces are, but not that. Mine from the junk yard were bent, but a little heat and hammering and they are good as new - almost.
 
You probably can get a "ballpark" figure by turning the hub to "full lock" and measure from the "face" of the hub to the tre / ??? And subtract 1 - 2 inches.

Oops, I should add that you should place a straight edge along the face of the hub and measure the distance of the "line" that is at a 90* angle from the hub (straight edge) to the tre...
 
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