87 R10 Silverado Stepside Wheels Rubbing

[aanderson75]

I bought a 87 chevy R10 from my dad.  He had it lowered.  All I know is it has a bell tech kit.  The tire rubs on the lower control arm and have already had to replace the tires once.  I was looking at putting it on some 17's or 18's and was in search of the correct way to accomplish this.  My goal is to have less than a two inch gap of visibility between the tires and wheel wells.  What do I need to accomplish this.  It has like I said a bell tech kit on it and 15 inch ralley rims with a zero offset, 225/60/15 tires (seems unsafe!!)  So for right now I just want to get rid of the rubbing and need to know my options as far as correcting this goes. Thanks

[85K10]

Maybe a narrower tire. Like a 70 series. Just a thought not seeing the exact problem.

 Patrick

[VileZambonie]

What do I need to accomplish this

You need to start with a tape measure and figure out how much space you have to work with.

[aanderson75]

how do I get it back to stock and once that is accomplished will a twenty inch rim fit with 275/50/20?  whats the biggest wheel (no larger than a twenty) that I can fit with full range of motion?  Ill worry about lowering it later.  I just feel the rally rims and tires are too small!!  They look like they belong on a honda!  especially with the size tire I had to put on it just to keep it from rubbing on the lower control arm.  Any leads will be greatly appreciated!!

[BlueCollarRon]

Maybe I missed it but ur truck is lowered?  Just lift it and put whatever u want underneath.

[aanderson75]

I like the lowered look.  I would like to maintain a lowered look with 18's without compromising the functionality (steering;rubbing, too low;scraping everything off the road)  Overall just looking to accomplish this as professional as possible.

[y2k_harley]

My 86 is lowered 5" in the front and I am running 15X7 rally wheels with 235/70-15 tires with no rubbing.  I did have to clearance the lower control arm to clear the wheels.

[BlueCollarRon]

I wouldn't mind building a lowered chev they look good, just not the right terrain around my area.

[aanderson75]

what do you mean by "clearancing the lower control arm"?  I figured out that the truck has lowered coils 3 in drop spindles and a hanger and shackle kit in the back which I was told would also lower the front end by doing that alone.  So the recomended going back to a stock spring and having an alignment done.  The caster and camber they said does change the center point and should usually be done after it has been lowered.  I would like to go back up to a 250/60/15 like I said 225/60/15 is just too small.  So Im going to change the springs have the alignment done, then go to my tire guy and see whats the biggest tire we can fit without losing functionality.  Ill keep you guys posted, however it will probably be a month or so for me to accomplish this due to the holidays.

[y2k_harley]

I had to grind on the part of the lower control arm that curls down toward the ground by the lower ball joint.  I needed to do this so it didn't rub on the back of the wheel. 

[aanderson75]

Im not sure I would have done that being that these engineers fabricate these things diligently to safety standards, but I could be wrong!  Sometimes I just try to look at all possibilities and factors and make sure its done right.  I know some industrial engineers and I will bring that to there attention and if they say its good to go then Ill probably grind off that lip as well.  Or perhaps they sell a reinforced lower control arm that is structurally sound to be able to accommidate lowering, small or big wheels.  Ill look into it more.  First Im gonna try just switching back to OEM springs, get it aligned and see if that will work for what im trying to accomplish.  Ill definetly post some pics when the project gets underway.