ive spent days perusing through old threads here, googling etc. almost every wheel design/brand I want doesn’t have a 4” backspacing. I know torq thrust II’s do but they’re all too common for my taste even though they look great. I’m wanting a 17x7 front 18x8 rear and I can find 4” BS on the 17x7’s front but almost every 18x8 is at least a 4.5” BS. Here’s an example of the two I’m thinking of for reference. https://www.discounttiredirect.com/buy-wheels/mb-wheels-old-school/p/23203 http://us-mags.com/rambler-u111-w-6133.htm (Really digging these with knock off spinners) I have stock 8” rear with leaf springs and cheap traction bars on it again for now. (Blew spider gears on 9” carrier and swapped tired 8” back in) Some people swear 4” backspacing is widest we can go while others promise 4.5” works just fine with no rub so who’s right? It looks like some pics and threads have wheels mounted looking good in garage but what about real world mountain road curves, dips, potholes, pivots? Ideally I want 17x7 front 4” BS w/ 205/50R17 tires and 18x8 4” BS (or 4.5” if they fit”) w/ 245/45R18 or a 17x8 rear with same BS and specs or slightly wider 255/45R17 Also ideally if I can stick with 245/45R17’s then the tires are a lot cheaper, as in $70-100 Anybody have real world setup with similar? I’m ready to order from discounttiredirect or elsewhere online and once they’re mounted I can’t return if the 4.5” doesn’t work. Thanks in advance guys
section width is also important...it differs from brand to brand. example Futura GLS Super Sport... 275X60X15s would fit my car. Cooper Cobra G/T Tires... 275X60X15s wouldn't. these were on 8" rims.
I wouldn't sweat it too much since there are tons of various sized wheel spacers out there these days(preferably billet due to strength) which will fix any clearance issues that might crop up based on your final tire choice.
I'm checking that now, thinking they were 3.50 ins. "there are tons of various sized wheel spacers." they work great if the tire is hitting the spring but want fix it if it's hitting the fender lip.
Thanks Frank!.. I'll try to remember that. Do 8" rims with 4" backspace, instead of 4.5", come that close to hitting the rear fender lip?
Duh.. just noticed the tire sizes and thunk about it again. A 205/50/17 is only 25" diameter with really square sidewalls due to aspect ratio. No clearance issues there and you may want to think about proportions with such a short tire. Without a decent amount of suspension heihht drop the fender gap will be pretty noticable. And rears at 25.75" and tad over 26"(255/45/17) will also have very minimal sidewall bulge to hit the springs. Only issue I could see is that square shoulder hitting the rounded corners in upper wheel housing in full spring compression but there are others around here who've run those sizes too.
My replacement new coils had 2 full coils cut so the front end is down a 1/4” over current tires up front (215/70R14) think they’re 25.9” diameter so trying to drop just slightly because in a heavy pitched S curve I can hear the outside rubbing up top. I’m hoping by going in to a 4” BS on front, and slightly shorter tire I’ll eliminate the issue. Also, my current rear tires are 215/70R14 at 25.9” diameter and they fill well enough to not show more than 2” below quarter panel. With the tire sizes I’ve listed i’m not worried about rubbing fender lip just hitting leaf springs or upper left shoulder in well. Thanks
Actually I retract the statement about rear height. It’s more like 3.5” to fender lip since I have helper spring on rear look at these to get a feel. So I may very well be able to go a little taller in profile tire i’m just trying to keep it in the “cheap” tire range since it tends to never get manufactures mileage lifetime due to spinning. Subsequently, I’ll be selling these wheels w/ spinners once I order new wheels and will post in classifieds when the deed is done lol
Awesome frank. Thank you, now I feel confident getting new wheels... now continue banging out that 9” rear so I can buy your 8” and make it to the July Lynchburg meet lol
Forgot to ask, did you massage fenders on those 275x60R15’s? They’re 28” tall - with a 4.50” backspacing did they rub bump stock or inner fender well at all? I know you discussed the futuras didn’t rub leaf springs. Thanks for info