New wheels, how much back spacing?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 119
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From: Part breakage is just weakness leaving my Stingray
New wheels, how much back spacing?
I would like to put new rims on my '70 and will likely go with 17".
However, the width is the real question. I'd like to go with 9" width but how much back spacing can I get away with. Spacers are an option.
However, the width is the real question. I'd like to go with 9" width but how much back spacing can I get away with. Spacers are an option.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 8,220
Likes: 208
Re: New wheels, how much back spacing? (Doug70vert)
You can use up to 4.75" backspacing at the back with lowprofile tires at the back. At front the 4" is pretty much the most BS you can use, without the tires hitting the frame on full lock.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 326
Likes: 19
From: Napa CA
Re: New wheels, how much back spacing? (Doug70vert)
I have a 69 with the offset rear trailing arms and I just put a set of TTIIs on.
Front: 17x8 with 4" BS
Rear: 18x10 with 5.25" BS
Now that I have them mounted I wish I had the rears with a 5.5" BS.
Do you have the stock trailing arms or offsets?
Eric.
[Modified by EricU, 9:47 AM 3/18/2004]
Front: 17x8 with 4" BS
Rear: 18x10 with 5.25" BS
Now that I have them mounted I wish I had the rears with a 5.5" BS.
Do you have the stock trailing arms or offsets?
Eric.
[Modified by EricU, 9:47 AM 3/18/2004]
Racer
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 326
Likes: 19
From: Napa CA
Re: New wheels, how much back spacing? (sting74)
I would rather have used 5.5" BS instead of the 5.25" due to the placement of the tire to the outer lip of the wheel well.
And the fenderwells are stock.
As for the tire sizes, I think they are;
Front: 255/45-17
Rear: 285/40-18
But I will try to verify, tomorow is Friday and I don't have too much on my schedule, so it is "Vette Day" here in Northern California.
I used the tire size calculator online http://ejelta.com/tiresize/index.html to figure out what size tire to start "guessing at" (I have a GREAT tire guy, who will special order tires for me and send them back if I don't like them), When we got the tires mounted, it was just the look I wanted. The tires are Goodyear F1s and I love them!
Eric.
And the fenderwells are stock.
As for the tire sizes, I think they are;
Front: 255/45-17
Rear: 285/40-18
But I will try to verify, tomorow is Friday and I don't have too much on my schedule, so it is "Vette Day" here in Northern California.
I used the tire size calculator online http://ejelta.com/tiresize/index.html to figure out what size tire to start "guessing at" (I have a GREAT tire guy, who will special order tires for me and send them back if I don't like them), When we got the tires mounted, it was just the look I wanted. The tires are Goodyear F1s and I love them!
Eric.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,165
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From: Where are the Smoky Mountain Cruisers? Not Correctly Restored Stingray
Re: New wheels, how much back spacing? (EricU)
I agree that wheel tire combo is great looking. Eric, can you post a picture of the back of the car showing the tires? What type of rear spring are you running?
[Modified by 74 vert, 6:54 PM 3/18/2004]
[Modified by 74 vert, 6:54 PM 3/18/2004]
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,804
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From: OKC Oklahoma
Re: New wheels, how much back spacing? (EricU)
Eric- your car is slick as snot!! The stance is perfect. I also would like to know what spring you are using. As it stands, I am running 15"X8" with a 4" backspacing and 2756/60/15 tire on the back, I didn't think I'd be able to fit an 18"X10" back there, I thought for sure it would be a 9.5 at most. I'm planning on going with 18's on the back and you just made up my mind. I also would like to know your tire size. With the combo I have right now, there is maybe 1" clearance from the tire to the frame. Do you guys think my dimensions would be the same on my '79? P.S.-what spring are you running? Thanks..
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 5,000
Likes: 1
From: Minneapolis, Mn USA
Re: New wheels, how much back spacing? (EricU)
That is sweet. Please more pics of the rear tire details so we can all see your spacing.
Red with black hood looks cool too :D
Brent...
Red with black hood looks cool too :D
Brent...
Racer
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 369
Likes: 1
From: Finland
Re: New wheels, how much back spacing? (Doug70vert)
I just ordered new wheels for my -72, 18"s all around, fronts 8" wide with 4" BS and rears 9" wide with 4,5" BS. I checked the clearances with my current wheels/tires and looked around what others are running, I think they should fit without any mods :D
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 8,220
Likes: 208
Re: New wheels, how much back spacing? (EricU)
I have a 69 with the offset rear trailing arms and I just put a set of TTIIs on.
Front: 17x8 with 4" BS
Rear: 18x10 with 5.25" BS
Now that I have them mounted I wish I had the rears with a 5.5" BS.
Do you have the stock trailing arms or offsets?
Eric.
Front: 17x8 with 4" BS
Rear: 18x10 with 5.25" BS
Now that I have them mounted I wish I had the rears with a 5.5" BS.
Do you have the stock trailing arms or offsets?
Eric.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 326
Likes: 19
From: Napa CA
Re: New wheels, how much back spacing? (groovyjay)
Hi Eric, your car looks stunning woth those wheels. I'm actually using 5.5" BS at the back and IMO your set up looks much better and that's why I wish I would have gone with the 5.25" instead. My rears are tucked well inside the wheelwells, I would like them to be closer to the lip of the wheelwell like yours are. Are they hitting the fenders now?
For those that have asked about the rear spring, it is the glass spring that came in the VBP kit and I don't know the specs on it.
Also the car is definately in need of a paint job, I am just waiting to recieve my Keisler 5-spd (supposedly shipped yesterday!), then after the new tranny is in, it will be paint time, though I may wait until it gets closer to winter. I want to paint it the same red as my 64 SS Impala convertible that is in the background of one of the pics.
I also have to do the side exhaust, I just got the covers mounted and the current exhaust is still a rear exit. There is also the Holly C-950 sitting in my garage, and I do have a 428 cu. in. small block being built. But for now, it is very fun to drive!
Thanks for all the help this forum has provided!
EricU.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 326
Likes: 19
From: Napa CA
Re: New wheels, how much back spacing? (79VetteMike)
I didn't think I'd be able to fit an 18"X10" back there, I thought for sure it would be a 9.5 at most. I'm planning on going with 18's on the back and you just made up my mind. I also would like to know your tire size. With the combo I have right now, there is maybe 1" clearance from the tire to the frame. Do you guys think my dimensions would be the same on my '79? P.S.-what spring are you running? Thanks..
Are you running the offset trailing arms in the rear?
Eric.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 119
Likes: 1
From: Part breakage is just weakness leaving my Stingray
Re: New wheels, how much back spacing? (EricU)
I'm using the stock t-arms. Do the offset t-arms make a big difference in what rim/tires you can use?
Eric, your car has a :cool: stance. Mine has a much taller appearence...for now.
Eric, your car has a :cool: stance. Mine has a much taller appearence...for now.
Intermediate
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 33
Likes: 1
From: Chicago, ILL
Re: New wheels, how much back spacing? (groovyjay)
79vettemike and Groovyjay raised an important question about the tire/wheel clearing the body work,without knowing what changes were made in what years you could spend a lot of money on parts you couldn't use. (Don't you hate when that happens?)
So what did the general do in what years?
So what did the general do in what years?
Racer
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 326
Likes: 19
From: Napa CA
Re: New wheels, how much back spacing? (Doug70vert)
I'm using the stock t-arms. Do the offset t-arms make a big difference in what rim/tires you can use?
Eric, your car has a :cool: stance. Mine has a much taller appearence...for now.
Eric, your car has a :cool: stance. Mine has a much taller appearence...for now.
My 69 had a 4x4 look to it prior to new the new suspension and rim/tire (15" ralleys and 60s) package. I didn't realize how high it sat until I got it next to a buddy's 69.
After lowering my car using the VBP suspension and the new rims and tires, I really like not only how my car looks, but how it drives!
Eric.
