Front Suspension Mods for 275x60x15 tires

[aotte1]

Doing driver restoration on 1986, C10 short bed stepper. My question is two fold. Is it a good idea to use 8 inch wheels and 275 x60x 15 inch tires( BFGoogrich T/As) all the way around. With Stock suspension ( concerned that truck may wonder a lot on hwy that has seam, etc rough patches) or can modifications make truck more drive table. E.g. Adding more caster. What specific mods are recommended. I have an extra front end to do mods on before installing on truck.
Thanks for help,
Les

[bdiamond]

275/60 is a big tire. I would think that even stock height and an 8" rally you'd be pretty close to hitting the fender lip. Maybe you could find an aftermarket wheel with more backspacing. Then it may hit on the inside though. If it was lowered at all I bet it'd be all over the fender

[aotte1]

Bdiamond,

True and also, thinking they may try to follow every crack/imperfection in the road? It now has 7 inch rallies with 225x70x15s and drives really nice, just nicely cruises along. However, they look very small!
Les

[Tx Firefighter]

With a non lowered truck, you have miles of room with a 275/60 on an 8 inch rally wheel. That was the standard setup of trucks on the streets of Texas in the 80s.

Yes, if your steering is worn, they will wander. Tight components though, they drive great. Use a super heavy duty idler arm like a Moog Problem Solver. Align it with as much caster as you can.

There was even a time when we all ran 10 inch wide wheels with 295/50s front and rear. They definitely were prone to wander and wear out idler arms.

[aotte1]

Thanks,
If I decide to lower a little, 2" or less will it be a problem, would like the top of the wheel well opening to be at top of tire.

What do you think of moving the upper control arm back 3/4 inch to gain more caster?

Follow-up on worn steering parts, can/how do you check upper ball joints if control arm is off truck?

thanks again,

Les

[bdiamond]

I would instead try to move the lower forward. It will help center the wheel in the opening better. Search "caster mod". Its a fairly simple deal to pull off. If the uppers still have the rivets in them its a pretty safe bet they could use replacement.

[Ziegelsteinfaust]

With out know specifics of what height you want your truck, but my first course of action would be to get the truck at the height I want. Then use a the Eastwood tool to measure tire height, and back space to make sure what I want would work.

I have seen a couple of 2/3 or 2/4 C10's on those tires, and they can look pretty cool.

[cory d]

my buddy runs 275/60/15 on 8" wheels, 4" BS front and rear. about a 4" drop. drives fine bit we added a bit more castor

[cory d]

also a little neg camber

[aotte1]

Thanks to everyone for the help.
Les