OK, I have used the search function and I have not found the answers that I am looking for. I am getting ready to upgrade my rear suspension, and I am thinking about the Van Steel Offset trailing arms. I want to go to a larger wheel, 17s or 18s, and I want to use this wheel

http://wheelvintiques.com/shopsite_s...ml/page75.html

I would like to go with a wider wheel, say 9.5 or 10. The backspace for the stock wheel is 4 inches. If I use the Van Steel Offset TAs what is the widest wheel that I can go and still use a rear sway bar? I was thinking that it would be a 17x9.5 wheel with a back space of 4.5, maybe a 5, but it would be close. I am right? Any suggestions would be helpful.

Thanks,
Eagle366

 

It's strange that there isn't some easy way to quickly answer these wheel offset/tire size questions.

Anyhow a data point. I have 17 in Wheel Vintiques. The same you're interested in buying. I now have Van Steel's offsets.

When I first bought my Wheel Vintiques Rally Wheels, I had the stock trailing arms. I mounted the Wheel Vintique Rally Wheel on the car (without a tire). I read up on tire dimensions and I made a cardboard template that represented tire profiles. I had a notch on the bottom of the template to fit into the rim of the wheel. Then I turned the wheel and looked for interference. I determined that the biggest tire I could use with my Wheel Vintiques Rallys and a stock trailing arm was a 225/50 R17. So I bought this size of tire. When I mounted the actual tire and tried it on, I found that the emergency brake bracket was a little too close for comfort. There was maybe a 3/8 inch clearance. So I bought Van Steels offsets. Now with the offset arms, I'm thinking about going up to 255/50 R17 tires. I don't remember what my Rally offset is. I think it's just a standard offset for that type of wheel.

About the rear sway bar...The combination of my Rally Wheel offset and tire size means I can't use the sway bar that came with my VBP suspension. The sway bar rubs the wheel. So I don't use a rear sway bar. IMO you don't need the rear bar unless you're interested in salom racing. I have my car at Dick Guldstrand's Motorsports now and he's aligning my suspension. He had no concern that I have no rear sway bar. He did think the VBP front sway bar was to strong. (To big in diameter). We've mounted a smaller front sway bar.

 

i have stock T/As and am upgrading to OEM C5 thinspokes 17" in the front and 18" in the back... the exact same ones I have on my C5. Instead of doing the offset T/As I used a 2.5 " wheel adapter. All aluminum style and they look great. Saturday I should have the tires mounted and balanced and then put on the car. I plan on posting pics. These are not some crappy little spacers but wheel adapters. VB&P has some but I got mine on ebay...

hth,

Sully

 

I run 18X10 rears with a 5.5 backspace and 275 40 18s on the rear. Stock trailing arms and no flares. It all fits but not much wider will go in there. You do not need offset arms with the 17 or 18 inch rims.

I run no rear sway bar. I have the VB Dual mount setup.

 

Do a search on PHP-01201 on Summit Racing's website. It's a tool that simulates wheel sizes, tread widths and backspacing. The only problem is that is costs $90.00 which is a bit steep for a one-time use.



Rick B.

 

68/70 - Thanks for sharing your experience, can you tell a difference without the rear bar? That maybe is way I will go too. Just out of curiosity, what size bar did you have on the front.

Sully - I have seen those. I have heard some really horror stories about people using spacers, and others say the are fine. What has been your experience?

Gordon - Did you have to relocate your emergency brake?

72LS1 - Thanks for the heads up on the tool, something like that would be nice, but you're right. $90 is a bit steap for a one time use. My best friend is restomoding a 63 convertable. Maybe he would in with me and we can split the cost.

Thanks for all your help guys, I love this place!



Eagle

 

Yes I did. I relocated it to the top of the trailing arm. Not a big deal at all.

 

I think this answers the origional question. I would like to do this also and with this offset on an offset arm I think we can go with more wheel offset and wider tire.

I know those 275 40 18's look the part

 

If you look up some of my post you will see that i put ZO6 rims on my 82 with stock TA's. I give sizes and measurements and pics.
The only thing the offset arms would have done is move the E-brake cable on top of the arms. My wheels (18's in rear) cleared the stock E-brake bracket. so, 18x9.5, 285/40-18 tire on stock TA's.
The trailing arms are directly under the frame so offsetting the TA doesn't do much since the frame is still there.
I wish somebody would make aluminum TA's.
I went an measured un my 82. I have an inch of clearance where the TA arm/ bushing mounts in the frame. Where that TA bushing mounts, the frame it is bulged out so the TA arm/bushing will fit in it. Now, as the frame move rearward it narrows a bit so there is more room at the rear of the tire than there is at the front of the tire. If you move the tire in anothe 1/2, 3/4 inch you may run into sway bar clearance issues.

 

Eagle, I have this same question, what did you end up going with? Thanks in advance!! I Want to keep my rear bar, but I have Van Steel offsets as well. I would appreciate your input!

 

I have sold tons of wheels over the years and I have learned you cant trust many of the wheels guys for much info abour what will work and what wont. The best way is to jack the car up and check it your self. Its very easy to do but very hard to try to describe how. Do some searching on the net, I'm sure you can find an illustration with the instructions some where that will make it easy. You just need to know what sizes and offsets the wheels you want are available in, should all be on thier web site. You need the measurement data for the tire that you want, should be on thier web site. Make sure when you take your tire off that you jack from under the suspension not the frame so that its still up in the wheelwell like it would normally be.The only variable thats not exact will be how much the sidewall will stick past the rim. That will vary depending on the design of the tire and the width of both the tire and rim used. I'll try and look around some and see if I cant come up with some pics and post them if it dont get too late on me. The last set of wheels I messured for I grabbed a welding rod and wooden ruler.