20" Detroit Steelies on a '71 static 3-5 drop
 

I've been researching and appreciate all the info already out there.
I'm about ready to order some Detroit D-Town Smoothie's

Looking for input on my selection below as well as tire size option for rear. Do I need to be worried about their rim width being 1" wider for the lip to lip measurement? (see image)

I have a 71 swb, orig rear end, adjustable trac bar, 3/5 static drop, factory bed no tub

Front
Wheels – 20x8
Backspace – 4.75
Tires – 245-45-20 or 245-65-20

Rear
Wheels – 20x9 or 20x11
Backspace – 5” or 7”
Tires - ?

Detroit's size and backspacing image attached.

Thank you

Re: 20" Detroit Steelies on a '71 static 3-5 drop
 

I normally like a 5.5” backspace on a 20x10 wheel with the wider 71-72 truck with a fleetside bed.
So than equates to:
20x9 with a 4.5” bs.
Or
20x11 with a 6.5” bs.

You might want to measure and see if you have enough room on the inside for a 6.5” bs without rubbing the inside of the bed tub.

Re: 20" Detroit Steelies on a '71 static 3-5 drop
 

Right on thanks man. I'm in the process of dropping it now so I'll get that measurement.

Any tire size recommendations for the rear?

Re: 20" Detroit Steelies on a '71 static 3-5 drop
 

On static dropped trucks I like 245-40 (on a 8-8.5” wheel) up front,… and either 275-40 (on a 9-10” wheel) or 295-40 (on a 10-11” wheel) on the rear.
You could run a 45 series tire but I like the look of a 40 series personally.
Everyone is different.

Re: 20" Detroit Steelies on a '71 static 3-5 drop
 

I also like a 20x8 wheel with a 5” bs.
But they don’t offer that.
4.75” bs is the best with what they offer.

Re: 20" Detroit Steelies on a '71 static 3-5 drop
 

Weird thing is their mention of: "Rim width is measured bead to bead. Add 1" for lip to lip measurement"

So.... Does one need to add half of that one inch to the BS number provided?? Or, are the BS numbers as measured to the actual lip?
If the number is measured @ the bead (like the width), then you'd be adding .500 to the BS for a total of 5.25" which is spot-on for aggressively lowered trucks w/20x8" wheels that need clearance for turning.

Re: 20" Detroit Steelies on a '71 static 3-5 drop
 

That's what I'm wondering. I'll be calling them this week hopefully to find out and order. I can report back with their response.

Re: 20" Detroit Steelies on a '71 static 3-5 drop
 

Have you thought about the rim tool that allows you to change offsets, and see where stuff lines up?

I am at work so I do not have time to find it now.

Re: 20" Detroit Steelies on a '71 static 3-5 drop
 

SCOTI, all wheels I’ve seen measured, the backspace numbers goes to the actual edge of the wheel.
But I add 1” to the overall with of the wheel when I do the math.
There’s a lot of trucks out there with the wheels really close to the fender lip.
I think they forgot to add the 1”.

Re: 20" Detroit Steelies on a '71 static 3-5 drop
 

Re: 20" Detroit Steelies on a '71 static 3-5 drop
 

Ask them the overal width of the 8,9, and 11 inch wheels.

Re: 20" Detroit Steelies on a '71 static 3-5 drop
 

The bad thing about wheel measuring tools,… you still have to know the overall width of the wheels before you start.

Re: 20" Detroit Steelies on a '71 static 3-5 drop
 

I agree!
But I like my wheels sucked under the front fenders more than most.
20x8 with 5.25” bs or 20x8.5 with 5.75” bs for really low static or bagged trucks.

Re: 20" Detroit Steelies on a '71 static 3-5 drop
 

how about a no-static drop?

Re: 20" Detroit Steelies on a '71 static 3-5 drop
 

What do you mean?

Re: 20" Detroit Steelies on a '71 static 3-5 drop
 

x2.

Re: 20" Detroit Steelies on a '71 static 3-5 drop
 

After ordering and speaking with them today, this was their reply.

Our wheels measure an additional 1" overall (outside lip to outside lip). So the 20x8 = 9" overall, 20x9 = 10" overall, and 20x11 = 12" overall.

Re: 20" Detroit Steelies on a '71 static 3-5 drop
 

Thanks for the input, here is what I ended up with.
I'm going to enjoy driving the truck for now but may end up playing with my stance via springs in front and blocks/springs in the rear.

Front:
3" Drop Spindles, stock (compressed) springs
Wheels - DTown Smoothies 20x8
4.75 backspace
Tires - 245x45x20

Rear:
3" drop springs and 1" blocks
Wheels - DTown Smoothies 20x9
4.5 backspace
Tires - 275x45x20

The wheels are awesome and the clips seem well made but I'm sure it will be fun getting the cap off of the wheel. The caps I wanted were on backorder but these babymoons are growing on me while I wait for my primaries.

The flat white is more of a cream color. It works pretty well for me and I think it makes the chrome pop a bit more than a bright white would. If you want a true white, you will want the gloss white from Detroit or powder coat yourself. Detroit does say this on one of their docs but IMO, the flat white should state it's cream-colored and not really white. Not a big deal for me, it was what I wanted but I could see others seeing things differently.

Re: 20" Detroit Steelies on a '71 static 3-5 drop
 

My dad handed this down to me 2 years ago, he originally bought it used in 1978 when my sister was born. I grew up camping and going everywhere in this truck with the family.