1964 Ford Econoline New Rims and Tires

Rims are 15X7 in the front with 215/60's and 15X8 in the rear with 225/60's with an offset of 4 inches. The fit is perfect and does not rub when you fully turn with stock springs. Also with the rear fully loaded the tires do not rub on the inner part of the fender. I would not suggest going any larger in the rear unless you rolled the rear fenders.

looks sharp

looks great  , I just picked up some wheels for my 67 econup ( have not got tires on them yet) but, rims are all 15 x 7 ( with 3/8" offset) ….. tires will be 205/60/15 front & 215/60/15 rear.


Larry/tampabay

That looks great! Where did you get them bugman?

We got them from Summit Racing, free delivery, exactly as ordered, two days door to door

Is the 4in offset all the way around ?? Or just in the rear????

Good info Bugman and nice looking Econo! I Really like the look of those rims!

The offset of 4" is all the way around.

Would 4.5 " offset work????

rehreh07 not with the size tires I have on it. I am trying to figure out how to upload a picture to show you.

I really like the US Indy mag wheels. The closest size that they have available to the size u stated above is
15x7
3.75 backspace
5mm offset
Will that wheel fit free and clear on my 63 e van front and back?????

rehreh07 wrote:I really like the US Indy mag wheels. The closest size that they have available to the size u stated above is
15x7
3.75 backspace
5mm offset
Will that wheel fit free and clear on my 63 e van front and back?????

Ive looked at those wheels, I absolutely love them, they are quite similar to the ones I have on the Magic bus...In the past I have measured tested and looked, the front is not a problem with that size and I believe they will work on the back but it is gonna be close to rubbing.  I still yet may buy a set of those, whats the best price you found on them?   Seems like I had found around $150 each?

that's the same best price I found

so you think that they're clear just fine?

rehreh07 wrote:so you think that they're clear just fine?

5mm is not much, If I was betting Id say they will work, but I dont want you to buy them based on my opinion, You really need to remove your rear wheel, drop a straight edge down from the inside of the fender lip and measure it. It would be nice if a local place could order them for you and "test" fit them before you obligate to purchase?

That's -5mm offset

I'm so confused.   What is 3.75" back space with a 5mm offset?  Should the 5mm offset be parenthetical? As in, 3.75" back space (-5mm offset).

According to everything (I thought) I know, Back space (american way) = Offset (most of the world way)= Back space (american way).   Its two ways of stating the same thing.

(**tons of deleted mumbo-jumbo was here**)


I don't think they should both be used in the same sentence, should they?  

-this confusing and makes my brain hurt!!  Make it stop!!!!!!!

lol, yes they are synonymous. I suppose they listed it both ways to make it easier ironically. And the true test of fitment is measurement with a framing square from the face of the hub. Width is somewhat universal but suspension difference, ride height etc will alter what is possible in diameter or in a combination of the two. I had some detailed notes of measurements I've taken on the rear but can't find them. Iirc, there is a 1/2" offset from the centerline of the width possible between the inner wheel well on the outside and the leaf springs on the inside and the possition of the hub face, but I don't remember in which direction. I want to say the hub is offset torwards the outside of the van and you need a -12mm offset rim to recenter if going for maximum wheel width with an 8" or 9" rim and the appropriate tire combo to get there. But if going narrower then getting an even outside tire face front to back may be more important to you.

This should be helpful:

http://blog.bushwacker.com/1425/how-to/what-is-wheel-offset-and-backspacing/

How did you lower your van, it looks great!

Vintage Metal wrote:How did you lower your van, it looks great!

I have not lowered the van at all. The suspension is stock. I only replaced the shocks because the original ones were rusted through but replaced them with the stock sizes.

bugman, how much space is left up front lock to lock with the 215/60's? I'd like to go with a little wider 225(.4" wider, .2" clearance either way) tire if possible so I can have the same wheels/tires all around. I'm looking at 0 offset/4" backspace 15" x 7" w/225/60's or 17" x 7" w/225/50's


For anyone else who has read this thread, I remeasured the rear hub clearance, and have realized I mis-spoke, you'll need a positive offset to recenter the wheel in the rear for max possible width. I remembered correctly that the hub is offset to the outside of the van but got mixed up on + and -. A negative offset will move the wheel to away from the hub, not really what you want in the rear unless you're going with 7" rims

The measurements side to side I came up with from the mounting face are: approx. 4 7/8" clearance to the fender lip, approx. 5 7/8" clearance to the leaf spring band.

So, to recenter the rim, a +12mm offset is needed. According to my figures this yields a maximum tire section width of 265 or approximately 10.4"(a 275 may be possible but you would definitely need to roll the fender lip), for example a 15" x 9" rim with +12mm offset with 265/50 tire should fit.

We will measure lock to lock and post a reply.

[quote="Seth G"]bugman, how much space is left up front lock to lock with the 215/60's? I'd like to go with a little wider 225(.4" wider, .2" clearance either way) tire if possible so I can have the same wheels/tires all around. I'm looking at 0 offset/4" backspace 15" x 7" w/225/60's or 17" x 7" w/225/50's


From lock to lock there is 1.5 inches from the inner part of the tire to the spring in the rear (front tire) and 2.25 inches from the inner part of the front tire to the spring.

Thanks! That really helps me out    How's it look for clearance to the fender? Might go -6 offset if possible.