I have been trying to figure exactly what wheel and tire size I am going to put on my car. I want 17" wheels. Someone posted Newstalgia Magnum 500 wheels. I called them, they are billet aluminum wheels and are made to order, so I can get whatever I want. They are also about a zillion $ a wheel. Bad thing is that they take 6-8 weeks to create, dont know if I want to wait that long cause that will be too near Roundup time. My thinking is, if I have the rearend that I am having built made 2" longer, 1' each side, I could go to 4.50" backspacing? I do know that with stock setup, 3.50" is about as far as one can go. Any tips or suggestions are welcome. Dan
If you have the rear-end made 1" wider on each side, I'd think 4.5 backspacing would be the minimum that you want to use to keep from rubbing the outer fenderwells or wheelwell lip. You can go further than 3.5" with the stock rear-end, depending on tire width. The Magnum 500's I have on my car (14x7) have 4 1/4" backspacing, and wear 235/60 Firestone Firehawk tires. I used 5/16" spacers because I had a slight rub on the driver's side sometimes, presumably when cornering. Some have gotten away with no spacers using the same wheel but a different tire. A 245 or 255 might be pinched in enough to keep the sidewall bulge from rubbing the leaf spring.
I had my rear widened an extra 1/2". The wheels I use had a 4" backspace and when put on a stock Mav, they just barely touched the spring. I wanted to keep them as close to the springs as possible so I wouldnt have to worry about the outer fender lip. I measured a stock rear at 56 1/4" mounting surface to mounting surface. So I had mine made to 56 3/4". It all fits perfectly. Mine are 8" wide. 1 extra inch on each side will give you plenty of inside clearance but it pushes the wheel further out. Although you really dont have the time to get it done, its really better to get the wheels & tires you want to use and trial fit them to get the best measurements you need. My inner top lips are rolled under so I have more clearence. You might have to do the same.
well, looks like the Magnum 500's are out of the pic, I do need to buy the wheels and tires and mock it up and then get the rearend cut accordingly. Guess I will look at some more popular types of wheels in order to get job done. Thanks guys Dan
