Joined: Sat Apr 04 2009, 10:33PM
Location: washington
Posts: 163
I have read a few threads about this and am still unclear. What is the max tire size I can run under the skirts on my 66 new Yorker? I think one of the threads said a 5.5" backspace rim will allow a nice width tire under there, I plan on having 15" rims made with that back space, unless I hear different here. What rim width?
Joined: Wed Aug 11 2010, 10:15AM
Location: E WA
Posts: 1230
vucelick wrote ...
I have read a few threads about this and am still unclear. What is the max tire size I can run under the skirts on my 66 new Yorker? I think one of the threads said a 5.5" backspace rim will allow a nice width tire under there, I plan on having 15" rims made with that back space, unless I hear different here. What rim width?
Part of the issue with getting wide tires in these cars is actually getting the wheel/tire installed where it needs to go. That is where the fender skirts help giving a little more room to get the tire installed.
I have 255/60/15 tires on factory steel 15" x 7" rims on my 67 Polara and I am sure that there is more room for a wider tire but it is a challenge getting the tire into the wheel well. I realize that the Polara has a pretty low wheel arch and no fender skirts. On my 69 Imperial I have 255/70/15 tires.
You should be able to go to a 275/60/15 tire and possibly a 295/50/15 tire. When you get that big you really need to try it and see which is not the best answer if you have already ponied up the money for tires and rims.
Joined: Mon Oct 10 2005, 10:24AM
Location: The Netherlands
Posts: 160
When it comes to tight fitting tire-situations like this, would you really just copy some backspace number from a forum, or just measure it very carefully on the car itself?
I don't know the backspacing my wheels had. I do know the wheels were custom made to fit similar wheels on a '70 Roadrunner.