Wheel backspace?

[Ford Freak]

Hey all! Anyone know what the backspace is on a '55--'56 Fairlane 15x5 factory wheel? Thanks in advance! F F

[Ford Freak]

I found some info that says they are 3.5 in. Sound about right?

[Gene F]

I am getting ready to shop for Craggars, or Torque Thrusts, so I feel your pain. It's even worse for me because I have a Skyliner, and they had a different wheel.

Turns out sales people really have zero knowledge.

[miker98038]

On the front the critical backspace is the sidewall clearance to the upper ball joint. My bird (same A arms) a 3.5” backspace with 225/60 15” just clears the ball joint. They’re 7” rims, and just clear the fender. So tires have an effect too.

On the birds, the critical dimension is clearing the rear part of the leaf spring. But I don’t think the car and bird are the same there. Pretty sure the fender clearance is different too.

You might see what you can find on the 52-59 ford group on the off topic section of the HAMB. Pretty sure it’s addressed there.

[Gene F]

There is a sub-group on HAMB? How do I find that?

What wheels did you buy Miker98038 ?

[miker98038]

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15x7 American salt flats. 3.5” backspace front, 4” rear. 225/60 15’s f, 235/15’s rear. I had to center the body on the frame (it was maybe an inch off) to get everything to clear.

We have a large regional tire company, Les Schwab. One of his managers makes a point to carefully measure and order wheels for hot rods. Pretty much matches the price. And guaranteed fitment. Happy to mount the blue lines I got from Diamond back tires.

Slick deal, did a lot of rods, and often got the daily driver business as a by product.

He had to do a little touch up grinding inside the wheel to clear the calipers on the fronts. No charge. Great guy.

Don’t know if you can find a guy like that, but ask the street rod guys.

[down-the-road]

Originally Posted by Gene F

There is a sub-group on HAMB? How do I find that?

What wheels did you buy Miker98038 ?

52-59 Ford social group from the HAMB moved over here. Scroll back up near the top of this page and find the choices in the black band just below the Ford Barn logo. Click "Community", then click "Social Groups". 52-59 Ford is listed in the choices on the right side.

Lots of information saved there to search through. Lots of folks with answers to questions too!

[miker98038]

My mistake. As above, it was moved here, not the OT. Thanks for the correction.

[down-the-road]

Originally Posted by miker98038

My mistake. As above, it was moved here, not the OT. Thanks for the correction.

Not really a mistake. The collection of technical information is pinned near the top of the threads in the Off Topic section of the HAMB. I believe that same information is available in the 52-59 social group here. Questions and discussions might be more visible in the social group here than in the Off Topic section of the HAMB.