Tires and Rally wheels
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 3,472
Likes: 18
From: Lake Ozark, MO
Tires and Rally wheels
What is the biggest (widest) tire I can fit on the stock 80-82 alum rally wheel? Is that size limited by the rim or inner clearance with the spring? What I'm getting at is I want to put on offset a-arms so I can use wider tires...but still like the way the old stock aluminum wheels look. The offset a-arms will accept a 10" rim.
Is there a certain offset to look for if I decide to go to a custom rim?
Is there a certain offset to look for if I decide to go to a custom rim?
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 20,216
Likes: 4
From: Smile, it's just the internet.
Still confused. You using the original 8" wheel or looking to go with aftermarket wheels?
Well, I guess it doesn't matter much...
Just go to the spec. sheet for the tires you are interested in and look at the wheel width range for each tire size. That will give you the answer you want. www.tirerack.com has a nice selection of tires and all the spec sheets. Otherwise, you might have to go to the manufacturer website.
Well, I guess it doesn't matter much...
Just go to the spec. sheet for the tires you are interested in and look at the wheel width range for each tire size. That will give you the answer you want. www.tirerack.com has a nice selection of tires and all the spec sheets. Otherwise, you might have to go to the manufacturer website.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 3,472
Likes: 18
From: Lake Ozark, MO
I'll try once more. Wanting to use the stock aluminum wheels that came on the 80-82. I'm wanting to know what is the largest tire I can fit on that 8" rim (rim limitations not c3 body/suspension like hitting trailing arms) BTW, Tirerack only shows two uggly wheels.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 20,216
Likes: 4
From: Smile, it's just the internet.
BFG Radial T/A 295/50-15 will barely fit your wheels.
http://www.bfgoodrichtires.com/assets/pdf/radial_ta.pdf
http://www.bfgoodrichtires.com/assets/pdf/radial_ta.pdf
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 89
Likes: 0
From: St. Charles IL
there is more to it than the rim and trailing arm, I just put 255/45-17 on mine and the issue in the rear was the exhaust pipe and the E brake cable, once new exhaust was on, the ebrake cable is so close you cant even fit your finger between it and the tire. look at your clearance with the tires you have before you buy anything. the car being an auto and me being bubba (LOL) i dont need an e brake so cutting the cable is an option.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 653
Likes: 56
From: TX
I would suggest sticking w/ the OE size 255/60/15 - there are at least 2 decent tires that can still be had in that size.
In 295/50 you are at the limit of an 8" wide rim which may not be ideal for sidewall affects on handling and all that I know of that's avail in this size is basically non-performance oriented highway radials.
In 295/50 you are at the limit of an 8" wide rim which may not be ideal for sidewall affects on handling and all that I know of that's avail in this size is basically non-performance oriented highway radials.
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Advanced
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 94
Likes: 0
I will add one more element to the issue. I have the offset trailing arms that you speak of on my 71. Yeah they will probably accept 10" wheels BUT if you have a rear sway bar like I do, I'm pretty sure that it will hit. I havent decided what I'm going to do yet.