The 4" lift spindles I am using to lift my truck state that the maximum back spaceing be no more than 3.50 inches. I'm looking for 15x8's and plan on running 33x12.50x 15's on them. I have looked and looked but I just can't find any that I like with the 3" back spacing I want. Almost every wheel I've looked at has a back spacing of 3.75" or greater. Crager, on their Classic 08/61 S/S wheels offers a 2.5" back space. I am looking for a wheel that is similar to the Crager. American Racing has a wheel that I really like...their Torque Thruster and their T71R's have a nice look to them as well.

I have given thought to "increasing" the backspace by way of wheel spacers. That way I could gain an additional 1" of back spacing. But I worry that such a set up might put an inordinate amount of stress on the spindles and especially the outer wheel bearings. However...that could very well be a moot point as getting wheels with less than 3.50" is going to put stress on those components anyway.

If anyone knows where I can get wheels of like designs to the ones I have mentioned...please post where i might find them. And if you know of anyone that makes a 33x12.50x15 tire that has a fairly subtle tread pattern that wears well and is fairly quiet, I'd like to hear about those as well...my truck will rarely be off the pavement and I don't want or need tires that have a tread pattern that could conquer Mount Everest

Thanks...and Have a nice day...

 

My friend Kyle with the white lifted 2wd EDGE I posted about in another one of your threads.... Has the 3" Fabtech brand spindles. He was running my wheels and tires for a while and they cleared his spindle perfectly. My wheels are 15x10 with a 3.625" backspace. Regardless if it's a 10" or 8" wheel, the contact to the spindle will be the same concern on either in regards to backspace and spindles.

Perhaps with the new 1" of spindle lift with the ones you're wanting to get, may very well severely limit wheel choice without going to 1" bolt-on wheel spacers. As the spindle moves down, the "hump" behind the rotor and up to the upper ball joint becomes more of a concern. Maybe that extra 1" is enough to move that hump so close to the wheel, that it really does require a 3.5" or less backspace.

While confirming my backspace of my wheels while writing this reply, I noticed American Eagle Wheels offers my wheel in a 15x8 with a 3.25" backspace. I understand it's nothing like the style you're after but it surprised me seeing that spec. Click: Series 185 - RWD/SUV Truck - Eagle Alloy Wheels

The "stress" deal with spacers or small backspace wheels or wide wheels.... My opinion is it's a moot point. Pretty much an unnoticeable amount of extra stress is what I've experienced with these trucks. 15x10 heavy steel wheels that stick out and heavy 35x12.50 tires for well over 70,000mi on a 140,000mi truck. Since replacements when they were prematurely replaced...having not failed, I've got 70k on ball joints and rod ends (they're still very tight) and I've got about 15k on wheel bearings (they too are very tight and like brand new....stock ones lasted about 125k). People scream bloody murder sometimes when folks ask about 15x10's.....yet them never having actually experienced it in person. It's not noticeable and as far as I'm concerned, it's null...nonexistent additional wear.

I will be running Rugged Ridge brand wheel spacers whenever I pull the trigger on my new wheels and tires(click: Jeep Wheel Adapters & Spacers by Rugged Ridge). The only reason is because I absolutely CANNOT locate wheels that I like in our bolt pattern in the size I want. I've always thought that's the only reason why I would approve of bolt-on adaptors/spacers. But I'm now realizing they're not entirely a bad thing. Should be a last resort.

My personal opinion on your situation if it were me? I would axe the 4" spindles and get 3" spindles for your EDGE. This will greatly improve your wheel choices without being forced to run wheel spacers.

 

American Eagle Alloys offers a wheel right up your alley and with the right specs too if you switched to the Fabtech 3" spindles. According to Fabtech, they approve of 3.75" backspace wheels.

Eagle Series 211... 5x4.5 15x8 with 3.75" backspace. Available with polished spokes, grey spokes, or black spokes. It's like a modern twist of the Cragar S/S. Click: Series 211 - Muscle Car - 2 Piece - Eagle Alloy Wheels

 

Dude!!!...you nailed it...the American Eagle Series 211 are perfect for the look I want for my truck. I love the polished finish. I might even be coerced into going to 10" wide wheels to get a "deep dish" effect. But having torsion bar suspension I am unable to find 3" lift spindles for her. The Fab-Tech website doesn't show one and I can't find just the spindles alone. I haven't even been able to find a full 3" lift kit that is made for our trucks that have torsion bars.

At close 150,000 miles on the truck, I am rebuilding the front end. More a precautionary measure than one that requires urgency. I'm replacing all components...lower ball joints, inner and outer tie rod ends, upper control arms, shocks, and new code 1 torsion bars. The wheel bearings only have about 10,000 miles on them. They were replaced when I changed the brake pads. The stiffer bars would allow some lee way as to the height of the spindles.

I am currently running 31x10.5x15 Michelin LTX M/S tires (nice tread pattern, but they don't build them any larger than 31/10.50's) on the optional Ford aluminum wheels and bone stock spindles. Everything clears...although, not by much. And this set up is suspended with the original code F bars that have been cranked to the max. I figure the original bars are sagging a bit, to say the least.

I don't mind going with 3" spindles...I can always get the extra 1" of lift, if necessary, by cranking the bars a touch. I just can't locate the spindles. I have access to a machine shop and have a fairly good knowledge about machining procedures so I am going to mill custom rear lift blocks out of 6061-T6 aluminum bar stock that will overcome the height difference needed to make my truck stand level. Maybe with just a hint of over height on the rear of my truck giving a barely perceptible "rake" to make her a little on the unique side.

So...if you have any other ideas as to where I might find the parts I need (i.e., just the spindles) I'm all ears and will listen to any ideas that might help me to clear these hurdles I seem to be encountering.

I appreciate the help ypu have offered and stand ready to listen to more.

Thanks...

 

I just went to Fabtech's website and found the following for you after four clicks:

Complete 3" Spindle System w/ "Performance Shocks" - 2001-08 Ford Ranger 2WD w/ Torsion Bar Front Suspension: Fabtech Part #K2164

It also indicates that for just the 3" Fabtech Spindles on a 2WD Ford Ranger w/ Torsion Bar Front Suspension would be: .

That was just a random Google search - I'm sure you can find them cheaper using the part number I listed & some time.

 

Shane...

I found the Fab-Tech 3" lift spindles specifically for torsion bar Rangers with the Edge Package. And you'll never guess where I found 'em. They are available through a little place called eCustomhitches on the Amazon.com website.

I found them quite by accident. I use Amazon.com to do quite a lot of my shopping. Hell, through Amazon.com I already have all my Christmas Shopping done. All that aside...I was looking for a couple of books and I thought..."what the Hell...I got nothing to lose'. So, just for chits and grins, entered "Fab-Tech 3" Lift Spindles for Ford Ranger Edge" into their search engine and Bingo!!!...there they were. I 'bout fell outta my chair flat on my *** when they popped up. The price was about $30.00 less than the spindles for coil spring suspension systems that I had found on the yahoo search engine...with free shipping...and torsion bar specific, no less.

Man, I'm 'bout as happy as a clam at high tide. So I ordered them (plus the books) for less than I thought I was going to have to spend.

I'm not sure what the minimum back spacing required for them but whatever it is it's gotta be less than what was needed for the 4" spindles I was going to use. and if it ain't...I'll just have to fall back to the 1" wheel spacers we discussed earlier. I'm going to E-mail Fab-Tech with the part number and ask about the backspacing. And, should it be I need the extra lift, I'll just tweak the bars a touch.

I want you to know I appreciate the advice you offered that got me to thinking 3" spindles would be a viable option. I also have decided I'm going to go with he American Eagle wheels you put me on to in a 15x10 (if available) as well.

Dude...if you EVER get to the Great State of Texas...come see me...I owe you a steak dinner and a couple of cold brewski's.

Thanks ever so much...

James

 

Directly from Fabtech's website:

Fabtech Part #: FTS98300-73 - Use 32/11.50R15 tires w/ 15x7 wheels w/ 3 3/4” BS.


EDIT: Minor detail, but just to clarify, it would be considered the maximum backspacing allowed not minimum like you mentioned. Too much backspacing (i.e. - numerically larger) would cause clearance 'issues' with the spindle.

 

I'm wondering if you might be using a different search engine than I use. This is the second or third time you've been able to find items that I thought didn't exist.

Whatever the case...I appreciate your kind assistance, logan03co....guess I owe you one too.

James

 

You cheated, Dude...I thought you found them through the dedicated Fab Tech website. I didn't know you went "end around' and found them on Amazon like I did. Was it just a fluke or do you find other parts through Amazon?

It makes no never mind. I'm just happy I have you to help with what I call "problems", and yet you seem to know at an instant what I'm asking and are always willing to share your knowledge. And you seem to do it without exasperation or trying to make me look like an *** (unlike one of our Canadian members). I appreciate your help and am just glad I found them. You have been a great help in the area of tires and wheels and on the suspension forum as well.

I'm sure we'll be communicating again in the near future...

James

 

I did - All of the part number & backspacing information came directly from Fabtech's website.

The link I provided for the entire Fabtech lift indicated the individual parts & pieces that makeup that kit - including the spindle part #. I just took that part number & searched for it using Google....

Where a person 'finds them' to purchase is up to the individual - but I find it best to get the part #'s directly from the manufacturer's site then go from there.


This internet thing - it's going to be big someday!

 

^^HAHA!

Yeah....I go to manufacturer websites, reference those with a link, and go from there. What may be of some issue is the color of the links on this forums. White regular lettering with a light grey lettering for links. Which is why whenever I post a link, I typically lead it off with "click" or "clicky". I'm only in my mid-twenties and it's hard for even my eyes.

Both myself and Logan have posted links here and my info about the kit came directly from Fabtech's website. While the website notes 32x11.50's on a 15x7 w/ 3.75" backspace, backspace is backspace regardless of wheel width. If they gave a minimum offset specification, width would be a major concern with fitment.

You're welcome in finding those wheels and choosing a more conservative spindle! In regards to the Eagle 211 and available sizes, I included a link to the manufacturer's page on it. From there you can open up a full list of the available sizes, bolt patterns, backspaces, etc. Clicky: Series 211 - Muscle Car - 2 Piece - Eagle Alloy Wheels and then clicky: Series 211 Specifications - Muscle Car - 2 Piece - Eagle Alloy Wheels

I still REALLY suggest against 15x10. While Eagle does offer the wheel in a 10" with a higher backspace, it's still a higher backspace and the spindle clearance would be an issue. My friend Kyle/darangerdanger's truck I've referenced quite a bit is pictured below with the exact set up you're looking to do. It has 33x12.50r15's and 15x10" wheels with the correct backspace for the Fabtech spindles. The picture is just wheels/tires/spindles. The tire is sticking outside the fender flare by about 3-3.5 inches. This is because the lift spindles move the wheel mount farther out. He eventually put wide fiberglass fenders on it(referencing the Raptor-look thread of yours) to keep it legal and not beat up his rocker panels.

A 15x8 or 15x10 wheel with the same backspace, the 10" will put the tire 2" farther outside the wheel well than the 8". Therefore, to prevent what you're seeing below, I suggest the 15x8 w/ 3.75" bs I suggested in my earlier post.

 

My father is actually in Tulsa, Oklahoma now....I'm planning on visiting before summer gets here 'cause there's a set of WWII fighter wings with my name on it waiting for me to take a ride!!

 

Interested in WWII Aircraft? I have made history my primary source of reading pleasure. I, myself, am a licensed pilot but I haven't done any flying in many, many years. It was fun to get up on a nice crisp fall day, go out to the airport, rent a 172, and just go somewhere for that famous $100 Hamburger. But It got to be (and is) pretty expensive and there were more pressing issues, Career, mortgage, raising my children, etc. So flying had to be scrificed for the expediences of "life". I was fortunate enough to log just over that magic 1000 hour mark. There are times I miss it.

So...what type of aircraft wre you going to get to ride?

And Tulsa ain't much more that 150 miles away. So if you get in some time to do so...call me...we can discuss either WWII fighter aircraft or our love for Rangers.

Take care and have a nice day...

 

I have already found the wheels at an outfit called "Elite's Wheels". The 10" wheels (with the desired 3.75" back spacing) are going to set me back EXACTLY $799. But they are currently on back order. But that's OK, too. With the Holiday Season coming on I ain't got eight bills to lay out for wheels at this point. And as for the way Kyle's truck looks...Partner, that is PRECISELY the look I am going for. Texans use a quaint expression from time to time and it describes the way I want my truck..."High, Wide, and Handsome"...

This Project is going to take some time and judicious juggling of funds to get all the things I want/need to make it work. I hope to have her done by about 01 August if everything goes right. I will send before and after pictures once it is finished.

Again...Thanks for your help...

Have a nice day...

James

 

I'll bet ou are going to go to the Antique Aircraft Museum in Tahlaquah. THe Antique Aircraft Association is based there. Every year, around the end of August the A.A.A. has their Annual Fly In.

If that's where you're going you're gonna have a good time. Enjoy your ride...

We might outta get out of this forum...some people don't take very kindly to discussion of matters other than Ford Rangers...

Have a nice day...

James

BTW...do the rules of Ranger Forum allow for the exchange of e-mail addresses?

 

If that's what you're after, AWESOME! Just didn't want you to be surprised when the wheels get bolted up and BOOM...they're way out there. Plastic bumper trimming and flare trimming will be required. Nothing a boxcutter couldn't fix.

I know it's yet another thing to spend money on, but you might consider running some wheel spacers on that back axle so that the new wheels and tires better match each other front to rear in the width department. Here's what would work very well...

Clicky: Billet Aluminum 1.5-inch Wheel Spacers, Alloy, Pair

They also offer 1.25".

 

Killing a few birds with one stone here...

YEP! You've caught my life passion......well you already know my attainable and affordable by comparison passion of four wheeled land-going vehicles. haha! I'm interested in all things wings and wheels.

My father has his PPL, CFI/CFII, CPL, IR, IMC, Multi fixed, Single fixed, along with several type ratings from Turbine Beech Twins to a Lear. Flying was a HUGE part of my growing up up until the old man started having sight problems and let his medical lapse. Used to tour the states from airshow to airshow as part of the ground crew for the Gee Bee R2 replica. Helped spot weld the HUGE Edo floats for the world's only flying Bellanca Pacemaker when I was 12....currently in Hawaii owned by Hawaiian Airlines as the craft was their first ever craft. I remember taking weekend flights in it or the Stearman or a rented 172 or 185 for those $100 hamburgers! Or taking the floatplanes out to the island in the river for a summer bbq weekend. Started construction of Gee Bee SN#1 (a side-by-side 5cyl radial bi-plane) some 15+ years ago and it hasn't moved much. It is my life dream to get my LSAL or PPL, complete the aircraft, and fly it while my father is still around on this earth.

I'd LOVE to eventually have a 195 with a R985 on the front. But baby steps first....need the card in my wallet first!

I am not going to a museum for a ride..... It's actually a privately owned P-51D. That quite literally would be a day I will remember until my death.....a ride of a lifetime. I thought a T6 ride was epic (which it was)...this is going to be something else!!! Sorry...excited. There's gonna be lots of anticipation until it finally happens.

PM sent.