Here's what happens with 3 people in the car, gas shocks that have replaced air shocks, weak springs, and 265/50R14s...General Springs can't deliver quick enough. I replaced the tires w/ a 245/60R14 and while narrower they still rub if I take bumps too fast. So until I get the new springs, its just me and a 1/2 tank of gas. GRRRRR
I got 295/50/15 on mine and when the suspesions under load the tire only rubs a little all i have to do is trim the inner fender lip about a 1/8 in., get rims with a larger backspacing and the will fix the problem
Those are the rims that came on it from the dealer. 8.5" wide but I don't know the backspacing. I thought they were 8" rims until they mounted the new tires this weekend and checked the width w/ calipers. I've never had the wheels without tires on them. Not in the position to buy new wheels and I'm hesitant to roll the wheelwells because the car was repainted in the 80s w/ single stage paint that seems brittle. That plus the chrome trim would have to be trimmed/rolled too. I do agree though, its a backspacing problem. It wasn't evident until I replaced the air shocks with gas shocks and the car dropped 2 inches.
The Grabbers came with 8 1/2" wide rims? I don't think Ford even put a wheel that wide on the pick ups. I would love to find a set of those for my 72. Are those wheels what they call the Ansens? I will probably go with the poverty caps and a painted rim OR trim rings. Money is my issue. lol clint
yeah i agree with you, i wouldnt roll the fenders, how do you like the gas shocks? when i got mine it had the air shocks on it which are now shot, so im gonna get sum new ones, just dont know what kind yet
These are a dealer installed option, part of the Comet "Stabber" option. Search the site and you'll see tons about it. I've seen newer aluminum slots on Summit's site that are called ansens but I've always called these slot wheels. I'm hoping to replace my wheels in the winter but who knows... As for the shocks, these are KYB GR-2 and they seem to ride smoother but honestly I won't know until I replace my springs. I took several pics w/ my crappy camera phone of the swap. I've linked them below. When you change your shocks it really helps to have an impact gun. They flex around w/ just a wrench. http://www.croweservices.com/jonathan/comet/img/thumbnails/rearsuspension001.Small.jpg http://www.croweservices.com/jonathan/comet/img/thumbnails/rearsuspension002.Small.jpg http://www.croweservices.com/jonathan/comet/img/thumbnails/rearsuspension003.Small.jpg http://www.croweservices.com/jonathan/comet/img/thumbnails/rearsuspension005.Small.jpg http://www.croweservices.com/jonathan/comet/img/thumbnails/rearsuspension006.Small.jpg http://www.croweservices.com/jonathan/comet/img/thumbnails/rearsuspension007.Small.jpg http://www.croweservices.com/jonathan/comet/img/thumbnails/rearsuspension008.Small.jpg http://www.croweservices.com/jonathan/comet/img/thumbnails/rearsuspension009.Small.jpg
Those 8.5 inch wheels will have a 3.5" backspace. Same as all other aluminum slots that wide. I'm running 15 x 10's on the back with a 5" B/S and the 295/50's only rubbed slightly with too much weight.
I cut the whole fender lip out of mine,had to be carefull though it burns the paint. Stopped the rubbing,if the tire sticks out past the lip its gonna rub regardless,obviously
Another option: If you have very much tire to leaf spring clearance you could always have the rear end housing cut down. I have a local friend that has a jig setup at his house. He stopped by my house and picked up a 9" housing I had. I needed it to be 1/2" narrower than it was...yes, only 1/4" off each side. He took it and had it back to me in two hours. So, it's not that big of a deal to cut one down. It would be even better if you had a spare one to cut so you could keep your original.
I have 11 inch wide Cragar 15" SS mags that are just sitting there because my leafsprings are so sucky. I installed shackles in the next to the last hole and it gave me enough room for some 265/60 15's. No rubbing with myself, the missus and the kids all riding. New heavy duty leafs with lower perches in back to mount them. Then I can get sweet bias plys that stick out as far as 3 inches.
how in the hell do you fit 295's in a mav...whats your rim/tire combo, any mods done to your car(i'm assuming you have done some)
He just told you how, as well as I did also. you need wheels with a 5" backspace. Mine are "Wheel Vintiques" 68-72 Chevy truck wheels with a dual bolt pattern (ford & chevy) They're steel slots that are a dead match to the old Mopar cop car wheels
i have a 10" wide rim with a 4" Backspaceing, thats it, it does rub just a little, just when its under a load or when the tires have lost alot of air(my tire has a slow leak)
