thats the way to go man!

 

ok well i measured my current wheels BS and its around 3.25-3.50" and i have around 2.5" before it hits the shock and 3" before it hits the leaf spring

 

So to play it safe, call your current b.s. 3.25 + 2.5 = 5.75". Shoot for a wheel with 5.5" b.s. then, to allow for a little sidewall sway clearance on the back side. That will tuck the tires in another 2-2.25" from where they are now. Will that put them in a good place?

 

if they were tucked in another 2-2.25", they would only stick out about 1/4" since they are sticking out 2.5" from the top to the fender but alot closer Cragar makes a 6" BS which would be too much but so close to 5.5" lol

 

A 6" backspace isn't a problem. Too much backspace can be easily dealt with by going to a spacer between the wheel and the drum. If the spacer is under 1" it will be fine, but I'd never run over a 1" spacer. Might need to change the studs on the axle out if the lug nuts don't get enough threads with a spacer.

 

well if a 5" backspace would bring the tire under the fender then i could always use a >1" spacer on the 6" wheel and it should be fine right?

 

Yes. That should do fine, but you will need to pull the studs and put in longer studs to add a 1" spacer. Pretty easy job. Just remove the brake drum, hit them with a hammer to drive them in, then push the new stud into the axle and tighten the lug nut to pull them in place.

 

so the studs just go into the axle housing when you hammer them in?

 

Cragar actually makes a 1" spacer kit that comes with longer lug nuts so you don't have to change the studs:
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/CRR-29200/

 

No, the studs don't go into the axle housing, they go inside the brake drum area.