I’m looking for new rims and tires I have stock size 14 in tires and a set of rusted Graigers Looking to up size I’m thinking 17 in Is anybody running 17 if not what’s the most common upsize that everyone gose to or is it personal preference
Something to think about. 17's may make worn suspension "follow the road" given the short sidewall of the tires.
Front: (Includes Spare) BF Goodrich g-Force Super Sport All Season Radial; 225/45R17 mounted on American Racing Wheel Torq Thrust M Anthracite W/Machined Lip. 17" x 7" x 4" Back Space Tire Part # 245WR7GFASXL-26483; Wheel Part #AR105M7761AML
Rear: BF Goodrich g-Force Super Sport All Season Radial; 255/45R17 mounted on American Racing Wheel Torq Thrust M Anthracite W/Machined Lip. 17" x 8" x 4.5" Back Space Tire Part # 545WR7GFAS-11671; Wheel Part #AR105M7861AML
Center Cap: American Racing Wheel #1258100011; Center Cap Logo: Trim Parts #8190 Center cap is custom fitted with red, 1970-1072 "PMD" GM Rally Wheel logo centers. Center of cap is machined by hand to accept logo. Logo retained by friction fit and contact adhesive.
My 14s just look small they don’t fill out the wheel wells at all Dennis your bird looks great I see you have aftermarket brakes what about the suspension is it stock or aftermarket Did you measure for rims and tires or did someone else or did you just use what the rim or parts houses tells you is going to fit
1) Changing to 17"+ rims (even aluminum) add significant weight. Stock brakes are pretty taxed (even the discs) with stock size wheels/tires let alone bigger ones. So if you're going to go bigger than 15s, upgrade the brakes. Or stick with something in a 15".
2) Your choice of brake upgrade can dictate what size you need for clearance. Best to decide as a combo.
I have 17s and may go 18s in the future. I appreciate all types of builds (stock to pro-touring), but my personal preference my for my own ride is pro-touring (not just visually, but suspension upgrades as well). I'm not a huge fan of anything bigger than 18s aesthetically; plus above that there are trade-offs in other aspects of performance. Many of the competitive cars that you see running around from our era run either a 17 or 18.
I really don't like the 18"-20" rim with 35 aspect ratio tire look on old cars. Wasn't sure I was going to like the 17's. I did a lot of research/thinking prior to taking the 17" wheel plunge but the brakes kind of dictated 17's. Notice the tires are 45 aspect ratio so the sidewalls are a little taller to get away from the "rubber band" look. Like Firebird Mike said, there are a lot of trade-offs. Think through what future upgrades you may want and talk to people about them then decide as a combo. Great advice!
Rear suspension is Hotchkiss 1.5" drop spring kit # 2407-C. Front suspension is basically rebuilt stock with Moog #6312 coil spring shortened 1 coil and Addco 1 1/8†diameter front sway bar Part No. ACO-599. KYB gas shocks all around. (Which are very harsh and on the upgrade list when everything else is finished.) Have your alignment shop set as must caster as possible. About 2 degrees is all I could get with stock control arms. (Aftermarket control arms are also on the upgrade list...)
I made a wood contraption and measured wheel fitment myself. It's not all that difficult to do. There is a lot of information on the web for tire and wheel sizes.
I really don't like the 18"-20" rim with 35 aspect ratio tire look on old cars. Wasn't sure I was going to like the 17's. I did a lot of research/thinking prior to taking the 17" wheel plunge but the brakes kind of dictated 17's. Notice the tires are 45 aspect ratio so the sidewalls are a little taller to get away from the "rubber band" look. Like Firebird Mike said, there are a lot of trade-offs. Think through what future upgrades you may want and talk to people about them then decide as a combo. Great advice!
I made a wood contraption and measured wheel fitment myself. It's not all that difficult to do. There is a lot of information on the web for tire and wheel sizes.
Agree, not a fan of the rubber band tires either. I don't have any good photos, but I'm running the pretty common 245/45R17 and 275/40R17 combo which both have a 4.34" sidewall (splits the difference between your 4" and 4.5" front/rear sidewalls). I'm going to try to stuff 255/40R18s on the front, and 275/40R18 rear. That will make the overall height on the rear taller, but I think that will follow the rear wheel arch better. I wouldn't want a shorter sidewall than that on the rear anyway, because it will lose bite off the line.
If you get a chance, love to see your homemade wheel fitment tool.
I also agree about the rubber band look I am going to upgrade brakes to rear disc Front stock but new ball joints bushings tie rods idler pitman center link Rear is also new 8.2 bop new multi leafs shocks bushings I’m going to make a jig to help measure the backspace I’ll cut a 17 in circle and bolt it to car cut a strip of wood the width of the rim Screw it to the edge according to the rim specs (backspace) Then you can turn wheel to measure distance and see what your close to This should get you close to knowing if it’s going to fit or have to change the backspacing This will only fit rim tires you’ll had to use common sense What do you guys think? Worth doing or a waste of time
Not sure if I have the fitment jig any longer but will look when I get a chance. May have some pictures. Again, got to dig.
Rear fitment is fairly easy to figure out. Front is the problem. Tire/wheel location compresses the front spring much more than jacking the car up from the bottom of the lower control arm due to leverage on the spring. I remember doing something to compress the spring to ride height but don't remember what.
Mickey, are you familiar with our group "HALF" in Houston? Several local members and different FGFs, IIRC Sam , who has a 69 TA restomod, has 17s? hes up in Huntsville...might be able to get you in contact w him...
Mickey ... I asked our group...secveral have 17 inch rims ....I know of a 67 vert with 17...69 vert too...a 69 vert (Sams ,who I thought had 17s, I hear he has 18s)
email me at bsefeldt@mhinc.com.....and I can get you in contact...we have an "internal" email list where we talkmabout cruises, dinners, meets , etc....and of course car resto talk...and there you could get pics on peoples cars in the group...
email me at bsefeldt@mhinc.com.....and I can get you in contact...we have an "internal" email list where we talkmabout cruises, dinners, meets , etc....and of course car resto talk...and there you could get pics on peoples cars in the group...