31x11.50x15 TSL's on '65 factory wheels?

Hey Guys and Gals,
I am new to this site, but I've been poking around here for the last 2 weeks. This is a great site with a lot of good pictures and info.

I have a '65 and it's currently sitting on dry-rotted tires. I just scored a nice set of Swamper TSL's on Craigslist today, and I wanted to ask if anyone knows if these 31x11.50's will fit on the factory rims without rubbing or if they will be too wide?

I was planning on buying a cheap set of 15x8 steelies to mount them on if they won't fit the factory wheels, but I'm not sure of the backspacing? Any advice?

Thanks.

 

:iagree: X2

 

Thanks guys, This is what I figured. Any idea what backspacing ..4.5" ? Should I go with an 8" or 10" wheel?

Thanks

 

yup factorys too skinny i run 31 x 10.50 and they are about as wide as id go. Youll have to adjust your steering stops so the tires dont rub the springs

 

I think standard backspacing for steels is 3 3/4 inch. Run your current tire to the stops both ways and measure the distance from the frame. That should give you a good idea what backspacing you will need. I agree with Patrick,stay with 8inch wheels. You can put 12s on 8 wheels.

 

Thanks guys.

Birddog are you saying that the standard BS on aftermarket replacements is 3.75?

If I measure the off the frame with the wheels turned lock to lock..will that give me the factory backspacing?

I found some black steelies for $49.00 each @ Summit...anyone know of a better deal out there?

 

That's correct, most of the wheels I have seen in catalogs for 5 on 5.5 wheels come with 3.75 bs. You can get another backspace, but the standard offering seems to be 3.75. Backspacing is measured by putting a straightedge on ( across the rim) the wheel and measuring to the center.
When you turn the steering to the lock , measure the distance from the tire to the frame. You should have some amount of clearance. Say you have a 9.5 inch tire. You measure the clearance and come up with say 1/2 an inch. The 11.5 inch tire would be 2 inches wider. Half of that 2 inches would be on the outside of the rim, the other half on the inside , meaning you would have an inch wider rubber between the frame and the tire. If clearance originally was 1/2 inch, you would need another 1/2 inch min of backspacing , if the 2 rims had the same backspace.
This is hard for me to put in words , but
New tire width minus original tire width divided by 2= required clearance. If it is a small amount, you can adjust the stop. It is a bolt on the axle. If it is more than a small fraction, change the backspacing. Look at original bs , and do the math . If original bs was 5inches, new bs is 3.75, you gain 1.25 , and that would be okay for the hypothetical numbers I spewed at you. Hope I haven't confised you , maybe someone else can explain it better.

 

10-4. I appreciate the help, I did do some research today and you're right about the 3.75 backspacing being standard. As far as you math goes, I took some measurements today and it looks like I'll be good with the 11.50 size on an 8" wheel. 12.50's on a 10" wheel would be getting pretty tight. An All-Terrain tire would probably work but a mud tire with with big knobby treads looks like it would rub.

 

If you are that close, try to get the backspace at 3 inches. That will let you run anything you want as far as tires. 12.5s are a lot more common than 11.5s , so don't tie yourself down with one brand of tire IMO. I have never had a problem with summit, but I prefer Quadratec. Prices are similar , and they have pretty good Jeep knowledge. Good Luck!