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I'm changing from 15" X 8" wheels with a 4" backspace to 17" X 8" wheels for the upgrades I'm making on my '73. The wheel manufacturer is thinking that I should go to 4.25" or 4.5" backspacing to accommodate for the more squared off side wall to tread design on 17" tires. I've looked through numerous threads which shows about 50% of you are running 4.5" and about 50% of you are running 4" backspace. I would like to run the wheels without having to add spacers if possible. Can you give the reasons you chose 4.5" over 4" backspacing.
4" backspace will be better every time. A lot of people run 4.5" backspace on 17x8s because wheels are more readily available in that backspace, not because it's in any way better...
4" backspace will be better every time. A lot of people run 4.5" backspace on 17x8s because wheels are more readily available in that backspace, not because it's in any way better...
That's the same thing the wheel manufacture is stating. He has the 4.5" backspacing in stock but he states the 4" is better balanced, centering the mounting plate in the center of the wheel and the wheel/tire weight is closer to being centered over the wheel bearings.
I'm thinking of staying with the 4" backspace.
Wilwood brake systems agrees with the wheel manufacturer.
Last edited by OldCarBum; Jan 18, 2017 at 10:43 AM.
That looks good! Most pics I've seen with 4.5" backspace wheels look like the wheels sort too far inside the guards to me, but yours looks nice. What size tyres?
beautiful car, like the stance on your car.
these are 17" wheels. on 69 sitting high in the back due to no interior.
overall back spacing; 4" in front, 4.25 in the rear.
4.5 stuck the wheels out to far, i tried them.
From: Some days your the dog and some days your the hydrant.
Royal Canadian Navy
My 18"X9.5" with 5-1/4" BS and a 275/45-18 tire. The tire is abouut flush with the top of the fender. I needed to relocate parking brake bracket. No spacers on stock trailing arm.
I have 18 with 4.5 because I didn't want to pay the super high dollar needed to have them custom made. They honestly look fantastic. I will post a photo later.
Backspace on 17 X 8 wheels
