Any 2wd guys switching to radials?

[91shelbydaytona]

I recently purchased a set of lightly used Mickey Thompson ET Drag bias ply slicks in 32x14-15 for my half ton rcsb 12v. I have not ran them yet due to needing to purchase wheels, tubes, screws, ect. Now that M/T is offering taller radials in 31.25", 32", and 33" heights in the "pro drag radial" and "pro bracket radial" models I'm starting to wonder if I should stick with radials. I have only made 2 passes at the track with this truck which was on "pro drag radials" (that I was borrowing off my fathers trans am) in 29.5x10.5-15s. The truck did dead hook the second pass with a 10-15 psi launch but the track was prepped extensively. This led to a 1.66 60' and a time of 11.40 at 119.28 mph. On the street or if track isn't prepped as good (like my first pass) traction is limited on the 29.5 radials. So I know taller is the answer just wondering with all the development in radials if I should stick with them.


Truck is rcsb 12v half ton
weight: 5000 lbs
Gearing: 3.55
fmw67.7 turbo, 5x16s, pump mods (4ks), head porting, cam, intercooler, ect
suspension: caltrac bars and 2 leafs

[wilmesbm]

I'm in the same boat as you, same exact truck and everything. What rear end are you running that allows you to run 15s?

My truck is a 1500 with an 8 lug Dana 70 from a 2500 swapped under it and I'm 99% sure a 15 will not fit, although I haven't personally tried it. I wish it would though, because there's a ton more tire options for 15s.

[Vincejax]

Originally Posted by wilmesbm

I'm in the same boat as you, same exact truck and everything. What rear end are you running that allows you to run 15s?

My truck is a 1500 with an 8 lug Dana 70 from a 2500 swapped under it and I'm 99% sure a 15 will not fit, although I haven't personally tried it. I wish it would though, because there's a ton more tire options for 15s.

You can fit a 15x10 rim with 2.5" backspacing. Opens up a lot of tire options.

[91shelbydaytona]

It's a 1500 still with the 9.25 1500 rear axle.
I bought a 9" with same lug pattern and correct spring perch spacing that I will be bracing and putting some good internals in

[wilmesbm]

Originally Posted by Vincejax

You can fit a 15x10 rim with 2.5" backspacing. Opens up a lot of tire options.

If that's true that would make me a happy camper. Have you actually tried this? I didn't think 15s would fit over the drums. The OD of the drums is over 15", like 15.4" if I remember correctly.

[CorneliusRox]

Out of curiosity, have you guys looked into the newer Ford 8.8's that are under 2010-2014 Mustang GT's?
They seem to hold well over 1000hp after the tubes are welded to the pumpkin, have a pretty great LSD, disc brakes, ratios of (2.73, 3.15, 3.31, 3.55, and 3.73 from factory) and I'm sure there's a TON of them in junk yards.

I've seen lots of people run 15" radials on them. Not sure if they needed brake mods to make it happen.

[Vincejax]

Originally Posted by wilmesbm

If that's true that would make me a happy camper. Have you actually tried this? I didn't think 15s would fit over the drums. The OD of the drums is over 15", like 15.4" if I remember correctly.

I run 15" x 10" rims with 2.5" backspacing on my drum brake dana 80 with a 295/65 R15 radial

[khaoskustoms]

I ran Hoosier 30x9R15 in both Bias and Radial on my Dakota. I noticed no real difference in traction or ET between them. The bias lasted twice as long as the radials but were considerably less stable at speed. For this season I'm sticking to the radials even though they wear out quicker I like the stability they provide on the top end. My truck had a best of 11.43 @ 118mph last year.

[wilmesbm]

Originally Posted by Vincejax

I run 15" x 10" rims with 2.5" backspacing on my drum brake dana 80 with a 295/65 R15 radial

Any pictures? How much do the tires stick out past the fender?

[jasonc]

He has a thread with pics of them. Look up "single cab short bed race truck build"
Or close to that title.

[zfaylor]

Originally Posted by CorneliusRox

Out of curiosity, have you guys looked into the newer Ford 8.8's that are under 2010-2014 Mustang GT's?
They seem to hold well over 1000hp after the tubes are welded to the pumpkin, have a pretty great LSD, disc brakes, ratios of (2.73, 3.15, 3.31, 3.55, and 3.73 from factory) and I'm sure there's a TON of them in junk yards.

I've seen lots of people run 15" radials on them. Not sure if they needed brake mods to make it happen.

People are stuck on the 9". The 8.8 is a great rear end. Never seen it in a diesel application but in stock form they blow stock 9" rears away. Would be interesting to see them. Extremely cheap aftermarket support for them as well.

[wilmesbm]

I went and pulled one of my drums to get some measurements and I now see how a 15" wheel with less than 4ish backspacing will fit. And after looking at it a little closer, I think you could turn down the inner/wider part of the drum without comprising where the brake shoes ride. If that was done, you could run as much backspacing as you wanted.

I may give it a shot if anyone knows of a manufacturer that offers 15" wheels with our 8x6.5 bolt pattern and 8 or 8.5 inches of backspacing. I've only found 4" backspacing so far.

[91shelbydaytona]

Originally Posted by zfaylor

People are stuck on the 9". The 8.8 is a great rear end. Never seen it in a diesel application but in stock form they blow stock 9" rears away. Would be interesting to see them. Extremely cheap aftermarket support for them as well.

The 8.8 is a strong axle indeed. So is a dana 60 with minor improvements. The 9" in stock form is actually quite weak compared to other options. Only reason I ended up with a 9" is it has correct spring perch spacing, the gear ratio i'm looking for already, and I payed $180 for it. Being a mechanic for a living I will also appreciate setting up the third member on the bench rather than under the vehicle.

[Vincejax]

Originally Posted by wilmesbm

I went and pulled one of my drums to get some measurements and I now see how a 15" wheel with less than 4ish backspacing will fit. And after looking at it a little closer, I think you could turn down the inner/wider part of the drum without comprising where the brake shoes ride. If that was done, you could run as much backspacing as you wanted.

I may give it a shot if anyone knows of a manufacturer that offers 15" wheels with our 8x6.5 bolt pattern and 8 or 8.5 inches of backspacing. I've only found 4" backspacing so far.

Summit racing has rims, and you need 2.5" backspacing. No way 8" backspacing would fit even if you could find it, 4" backspace wont even fit...

[Ryan Tucker]

Originally Posted by CorneliusRox

Out of curiosity, have you guys looked into the newer Ford 8.8's that are under 2010-2014 Mustang GT's?
They seem to hold well over 1000hp after the tubes are welded to the pumpkin, have a pretty great LSD, disc brakes, ratios of (2.73, 3.15, 3.31, 3.55, and 3.73 from factory) and I'm sure there's a TON of them in junk yards.

I've seen lots of people run 15" radials on them. Not sure if they needed brake mods to make it happen.

They are there for a reason, one of the weakest axles made

[Beat68CST]

Kinda hard to beat a 9" with the aftermarket for them.

Drop out third member is another appealing plus as well.
9.5" gear set in the same housing with some work, 10" will fit in the GOOD housings.

I'm not sure why anyone would build a car with something other than a 9", unless they're going for the baddest piece there is, and running a MW 11"

Now if we're gonna be weird and get into some odd ball stuff, I love me an old Pontiac/Olds rear. They're STOUT and have a drop out third. If I'm building a low HP car that needs every bit of power freed up, Chevrolet 12 bolt, they take the least power to turn.

[bracker8040]

Originally Posted by Beat68CST

Kinda hard to beat a 9" with the aftermarket for them.

Drop out third member is another appealing plus as well.

This. ^^^^
No c-clip axles to fail, or have to convert either.

[JWhite]

Originally Posted by Beat68CST

Kinda hard to beat a 9" with the aftermarket for them.

Drop out third member is another appealing plus as well.
9.5" gear set in the same housing with some work, 10" will fit in the GOOD housings.

I'm not sure why anyone would build a car with something other than a 9", unless they're going for the baddest piece there is, and running a MW 11"

Now if we're gonna be weird and get into some odd ball stuff, I love me an old Pontiac/Olds rear. They're STOUT and have a drop out third. If I'm building a low HP car that needs every bit of power freed up, Chevrolet 12 bolt, they take the least power to turn.

Depends on what you call LOW hp, but generally an 8.5 10bolt will work great

[Beat68CST]

Originally Posted by JWhite

Depends on what you call LOW hp, but generally an 8.5 10bolt will work great

I come from a tad different root than most. Where the old dudes with record holding 426" Max Wedges and 327" 4 speed Novas have 2+ complete Chevy 12 bolts in the trailer just so they don't have to touch the gear set lol. Easier to slide a whole housing in and be done. The thing to consider with them, is most of these cars are required to be full weight still.

[91shelbydaytona]

So I talked to Mickey Thompson and they recommend their Pro Bracket Radial which are available in a 31x13.50-15 but actually measure 31.9"x13.50" tread width with a section width of 16.3". They recommend a 14" wheel width to be run with these.
Im wondering if I should be sticking with a 315/60r15 which measure 30.3" tall by 11.5" tread width for better fitment