Largest tires with standard trailing arms
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 269
Likes: 7
Largest tires with standard trailing arms
I recently removed the original trailing arms on my 77. I then purchased a a set of rebuilt trailing arms. They are not offset.
Can some tell me the widest tires I can fit on a 77 with standard trailing arms and what changes are required to make them fit?
Can some tell me the widest tires I can fit on a 77 with standard trailing arms and what changes are required to make them fit?
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,445
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
Just go buy 12X17's or 18 inch rear wheels with 5 inch Back space. The largest modern high performance are 335 or 345 width.
Pro
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 695
Likes: 5
From: tx
Yep, gkull is right. You should be able to run a 5" backspace wheel without trailing arm interference. However, always measure for backspace before buying. Also, some guys have had to remove the rear sway bar for tire clearance (if equipped). Tire size and wheel width is dependant upon what look you want.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,445
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
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Advanced
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
From: Austin, TX
Gkull, are you saying that a 335 viper tire will fit under the back of a stock C3 without fender flares? I'm looking at mine and a 335-30-18 pilot PS2 I have in my garage and I don't see it happening.
I've also got a 285-35-18 and that looks much more realistic...
I've also got a 285-35-18 and that looks much more realistic...
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 269
Likes: 7
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,445
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 17,676
Likes: 201
From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
285/40/18 is the proper height at 27in and the parking brake bracket is inside the rim. You can go with 5 or 5.5in bs a 285/35/18 is too small at less than 26in.
Do your homework before you buy tires and wheels, ever try and take back tires and wheels that have been mounted ? ( someone's gonna say they have )
Do your homework before you buy tires and wheels, ever try and take back tires and wheels that have been mounted ? ( someone's gonna say they have )
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,877
Likes: 13
From: Doha
St. Jude Donor '08
I made a test-fit on mine using a 18X9.5 with 5 in BS and a 295/35-18 tires, the parking brake is inside the rim but the cable itself will hit the tire sidewall, also I feel it would look much better with a 5.5 BS, so the best solution is to get a off-set arms.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 849
Likes: 0
From: Woodland California
285/40/18 is the proper height at 27in and the parking brake bracket is inside the rim. You can go with 5 or 5.5in bs a 285/35/18 is too small at less than 26in.
Do your homework before you buy tires and wheels, ever try and take back tires and wheels that have been mounted ? ( someone's gonna say they have )
Do your homework before you buy tires and wheels, ever try and take back tires and wheels that have been mounted ? ( someone's gonna say they have )
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,666
Likes: 289
From: Spring Park MN
On both my 75 and my 80 the 285/40/18 tires fit very well with 5" backspace, but they would both hit the parking brake cable bracket with a 5 1/4" backspacing. The tires fit within the fenders better with 5 1/4" to 5 1/2". My 75 is getting VB&P offset trailing arms.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 17,676
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From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
Last edited by MotorHead; Oct 3, 2011 at 09:39 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 849
Likes: 0
From: Woodland California
I've been doing business with these guys a few years now and they are customer orentated. The guy I've been working with on this project, Gaylen, seems pretty sharp.
We know about what were looking for so if the Big ones dont fit then we'll know what will. I'm waiting for the 17" rims to show up. 50 series tires are the right height and were hopeing for 275 on the rear and 255 on the front. I don't remember if it's a 5 or 5 1/4 offset.
But we'll see how it goes. I'm hoping the 50 series tires don't look like SUV tires. Then I'll have to do some rethinking.
Ralph
We know about what were looking for so if the Big ones dont fit then we'll know what will. I'm waiting for the 17" rims to show up. 50 series tires are the right height and were hopeing for 275 on the rear and 255 on the front. I don't remember if it's a 5 or 5 1/4 offset.
But we'll see how it goes. I'm hoping the 50 series tires don't look like SUV tires. Then I'll have to do some rethinking.
Ralph
Last edited by Ralphbf; Oct 14, 2011 at 05:02 AM.
Advanced
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
From: Austin, TX
How about just cutting off that parking brake bracket and rewelding it to the top of the control arm? Will that give you the clearance you need?