8.8 rear wheel backspacing?

[BigMean]

Hello guys, I am James from Wichita KS. I have been lurking for a while, just trying to soak up as much info as possible. I should be upgrading my membership very soon, because I have plenty more questions...lol

I have a 89 2wd blazer that I am about to start swapping in a 383 and TH400 tranny in. I, like many others, am trying to do a budget built hot rod. The goal is 12's for $2k. This being the case, I am going to go with an 8.8 rear, but I am worried about the backspacing needed to stay inside the fenders. Can someone tell me what backspacing is required for that? I found a 4.10 rear out of a 2000 explorer that is limited slip for $100. I am getting everything including the calipers. I just want to make sure I can find some wheels for a decent price to make the swap work. Thanks for the expertise and I look forward to sharing my experiences through out the swap.

James

[racer1182]

try lookin up Knauthrups write up on the 8.8 install. also does the 8.8 you are getting have drum or disc brakes? if it is disk then you will have to get the correct proportioning valve ofr the disks too. The write up will explain everything you will need to do and wheel spacing needed.

Greg

[racer1182]

http://www.knant.com/axleswap/index.htm

here is the link to that write up I just told you about. hope it helps you out.

Greg

[BigMean]

http://www.knant.com/axleswap/index.htm

here is the link to that write up I just told you about. hope it helps you out.

Greg

Thank you for the response. I did go through that link, but obviously missed the backspacing info.

[BigMean]

Allright, I have no clue how I mised that...lol Can anyone else that has possible done this swap shed some light on the width I should go with? I am thinking 15x8 with 5" of backspacing. I am planning to go with wheel vintiques smoothies, they are priced right and have custom backspacing options. I would love to go with a 15x10 but I am afraid they will be to wide considering I plan to lower it quite a bit, probably 5"-6" in the rear.
Thanks again for the help, James.

[grimpuppy]

Glad to see another Kansas member. I can't help much with 8.8 but there are plenty of people here that can. Also you may want to stop by Holzman Race Cars in Wichita sometime. One of them runs an S-10. They may be able to help ya out if you get stuck along the way with some advice. They also have some good used parts every now and then. You plan on running at KID when you get the conversion done?

[BigMean]

Glad to see another Kansas member. I can't help much with 8.8 but there are plenty of people here that can. Also you may want to stop by Holzman Race Cars in Wichita sometime. One of them runs an S-10. They may be able to help ya out if you get stuck along the way with some advice. They also have some good used parts every now and then. You plan on running at KID when you get the conversion done?

Actually I have no clue where I will run. I used to be more into racing 8 years ago, i had a bunch of friends with pretty fast imports. I had a bagged s-10 with the HO cpi, but nothing fast enough to go to the track. This is just a fun project that i am hoping ends up fast...lol I wanted a cheap toy that worked better in rain and bad weather than my V-rod. I am hoping it doesnt turn into an addiction...lol I know my last s-10 was. I would like to check out some local races when the weather gets better, let me know when you plan to race and i will come check it out. James

[adh383]

You will have to narrow the rearend to stock s 10 width in order to get an 8 inch wheel with 5 inch backspacing and a 275 60 tire under the fender--- i have 4 1/2 backspace with 8 inch wheel and the tire i spoke of--- it's VERY near flush with the fender

[BigMean]

You will have to narrow the rearend to stock s 10 width in order to get an 8 inch wheel with 5 inch backspacing and a 275 60 tire under the fender--- i have 4 1/2 backspace with 8 inch wheel and the tire i spoke of--- it's VERY near flush with the fender

Well the wheel vintiques site says you can custom order the 15x8 with 5 7/8 backspacing or the 15x10 with 7 1/2. Are you running the 8.8? or are you saying you have a stock width rear and thats the clearance all you have? I am going to go ahead and buy the rear end and will try to get the stock rear wheels so I can do some measuring and see what fits.

This is exactly the responses i was hoping for, thank you guys for sharing your experiences!

[adh383]

With the 8.8 at stock width-- even with over 5 inch backspace-- your tire may still stick out--- but like i said-- blazer may have a bit wider fender wells.

[BigMean]

Hopefully I can get some good measurements once it is in there. I would probably be ok if it fit flush, i would just not lower it as much.

[adh383]

You better measure before you put it in--- and be sure you measured it right. good luck