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Old Jan 20, 2010 | 12:30 PM
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Can anyone confirm wheather or not a 275 50R 17 Tire will fit on the rear of a 69 Vette? The profile of this tire is about 1" taller than that of a stock tire, It would be mounted on an 8" rim with 4" Back spacing.
The car has off set trailing arms. I am thinking it will but don't want to waste any $$$ if someone has already gone down this path...
Thanks,
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Old Jan 20, 2010 | 07:20 PM
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I have off set arms and 275/40/17 that fit.
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Old Jan 20, 2010 | 09:28 PM
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UHF, thanks, if the wheel calculator is correct I am using, that would make your tires 25.6" tall. The 275 50 17 tire indicates it's a 27.8" tall tire... 2" taller...does that sound right?
I am not so concerned about height as I am width, I want the wheel to fit inside the wheel well without hitting the inside lip of the inner fender well.

this tire stuff has my head spinning...
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Old Jan 21, 2010 | 10:55 AM
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As I research this let me add some more details and try to make this more simple for someone to chime in...

Will (10.82) 11" wide tires fit under the rear of a C3 without flares?
Stock width tires look to be 10.3" wide and seem to have plenty of extra room.
The wheels I am putting on are Torque Thrust II with a 4" backspacing and 8" width rim.
I am also running with a VBT fiberglass spring and off Set trailing Arms.

What do you think?
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Old Jan 21, 2010 | 01:49 PM
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Hi

I am running 275 tires on 8" x 15 " rims with 4 " backspacing on my 68.

They just make it past the fender when the trailing arm bottoms up high.

But only, because the tires tilt in inwards on top a bit when deflecting up.
Would I use the smart strut system, the tires would hit the fenders-

Rgds. Günther


Last edited by WESCH; Jan 21, 2010 at 01:52 PM.
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Old Jan 21, 2010 | 02:08 PM
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Gunther, thank you for this post...
While I like the fat tire look I want it low also... the best of both worlds I guess. Based on that, I think I need to look at either a wheel with a deeper backspacing to bring the wheel in (Offset trailing arms installed) or lower profile tire with that provides for a smaller tread width... if this make sense... otherwise I think the fender is going to hit.
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Old Jan 21, 2010 | 05:13 PM
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Hi

I don't think I could take this much lower.



And here you can see how near the tire passes the fender. Like I wrote, it does tilt a bit in on top while moving up.



Rgds. Günther
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Old Jan 21, 2010 | 05:36 PM
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Gunther are these 50 or 60 series tires?
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Old Jan 21, 2010 | 08:53 PM
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I run 265/45R16 tires on 16X9.5" C4 wheels using the 3" adapters from VBP. I do not have any issues with rubbing on the rear. The adapters are to take up the offset of the C4 wheels and to push the wheels out a little further. I think you should be fine with anywhere between a 255/50-275/40 on there. To answer your queston on tire height, i think that 2 inch difference between the 40 and 50 series tires is a bit much. Look on Tire Rack and check the specs for the different tires to see what their stated height is. I think the 275/40 is more for cars while a 275/50 is ment for light trucks.



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Old Jan 22, 2010 | 12:23 AM
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Old Feb 7, 2010 | 12:02 AM
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I know 255/40/17 will fit on front. Friend has a 77 with that on front. I just bought the torque thrust 2 17x8 but does any one know if 275/40/17 will fit on front?
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Old Feb 7, 2010 | 05:01 AM
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Hi

Gunther are these 50 or 60 series tires?

Back = 275/60-15
Front= 235/70-15

Both have the same overall diameter. May be a bit big for the front !

But the back really fills the fender well.

I don't like big gaps between tire and fender.

Rgds. Günther
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