I am currently building a 31 studebaker dictator. I am dropping the body to the ground, so it will have open wheels in the rear. I found a 9" ford rear end, 65.5" from mounting face of wheel to mounting face of wheel. The width of the body is roughly 59". That leaves me 3.25" of clearance on each side of the car.

Do they make wheels with a around 0" backspacing, or do I need to find an even wider rear end?

Most wheel companies that deal with steel rims can make just about any offset rim you want. I believe I would go with a wider rear end and use a more standard offset rim. Never know when you might get tired of the wheels you are running and want something different.

Bolt on spacers might help.
Shane

That is going to be one wide rear end ,you may have to consider a slight wheel tub in the body,cant remember measurement for the widest 9' Ford.

How's the chop coming along?

Well many people drop these cars, its the same as a ford tudor. So it must be a standard size rear end. Check out the chop here:

http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/cho...n-129071-2.html

Agree on dropping the body,You mean channeling i presume, or are you z'ing frame?
The way I'm interpreting you is your measuring 59 inches body width where the top of tire is going to sit.That was only reason I mention a "lil tub" cause to much negative offset is hard on axles and seals.Just a thought.....chop looks good

I am actually building my own frame, Z-ing the rear. A lot of people drop these kinds of bodies without tubbing the body. I wonder what kind of rear end they use!

65 and 1/2 inches is a wide rear end ... I have a 56 inch wide rear end under my 32 Ford coupe. I have 3 inch backspace rims ... and everything fits under the rear fenders and clears the body.





Same 3W ... just with fenders and a little primer

I have a 58 inch wide rear end under my 32 roadster ... with 3 and 1/2 inch backspacing.



Most rodders want a rear in the 56 to 60 inch range ... Hard to believe the Studebaker is that much wider ...

Well I will be dropping the car to the ground, so the wheels won't be in the wheel wells. Check out this car, my wheels will be sitting similar to this: