Largest rim/tire setup in a 68 skylark

[Dobie G]

Guys, the car is going to the shop tomorrow to start on the restoration.

One thing that I'm not keeping stock are the rims and tires. I DON'T want to put 20" rims or such but I did think that maybe 18" or 17" would work. I also don't know how wide I can go due to the clearence and rear skirts (which might not be able to be put on).

Anybody have an idea?

Any help will be appreciated.


Chris

[cjp69]

I have 17's on mine, 245/45 out rear, standard backspacing. Could have gone bigger, but didn't have the patience to measure and wait for more backspacing. I would guess you could go 5 inches of back spacing, I think there are a couple of guys on here who would know. I had to trim a little of the inner fenderwell lip, probably about a 1/4 inch or so, not enough to touch the chrome trim.

[Dobie G]

That actually looks really good. I like the stance too.

Do you have a lowering kit/airbags on it or is it just the low profile rims doing that?

[cjp69]

That actually looks really good. I like the stance too.

Do you have a lowering kit/airbags on it or is it just the low profile rims doing that?

Two inch drop coils from OPGI.com to get the right stance. Here it is with just the rims and tires, before it was lowered.

[freddervedder]

cpj69,
Perfect timing for the response...
Just happens to be what I am looking for.
Are those Cragars or Torque II's, 17 x 8 x (4) in back spacing???
I have some in mind that are 17x8x (5) inch back spacing, but I am a little leary of the extra inch of back spacing.
I would love to know if that 5 inch back spacing will work on all 4 wheels, if anyone knows......
The set up is great, and thanks for putting up the pic.
Also any suggestions on who has good wheel prices.
Thanks for the question Chris.
Fred

[cjp69]

cpj69,
Perfect timing for the response...
Just happens to be what I am looking for.
Are those Cragars or Torque II's, 17 x 8 x (4) in back spacing???
I have some in mind that are 17x8x (5) inch back spacing, but I am a little leary of the extra inch of back spacing.
I would love to know if that 5 inch back spacing will work on all 4 wheels, if anyone knows......
The set up is great, and thanks for putting up the pic.
Also any suggestions on who has good wheel prices.
Thanks for the question Chris.
Fred

Fred,

These are Boyd Coddington Smoothie II's, much cooler than either of the rims you listed! These have a deep dish look that the others don't. The negative though is that they are polished instead of chrome, so more work to keep clean. I wouldn't put them on a daily driver, and I would buy a powerball from Mother's for cleaning them.

17 x7, I think the backspacing is 4 inch (it was "standard"). The extra inch of backspacing would probably work fine in the rear, I have plenty of room on the inside of wheel (frame side), just not on the wheel lip side. I don't know that you need it on the front.

Discounttire carries them now, not sure how there price stacks up, I bought mine several years ago.

[cjp69]

Here is a picture of the Torque thrust's, not the lip in the wheel, which breaks up the deep dish look that the Boyd's have.

[freddervedder]

You are right...
I like the deeper dish look of the Boyds, thanks again.
Fred

[skyphix]

Off topic, but I gotta say, Chris, I love your car. I was afraid to go 2" down in the front of my '70 but now you've got me convinced. Instead of going up an inch in the back (to give it a rake, I've got Hotchkis 1" now, but changing directions the car is going) I'll just go down another inch in the front!

That hard top is nice too, whoevers it is!

[Dobie G]

Here is what I'm trying to do...ala Photoshop and I do like that 2" drop.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v358/DobieG/DARIDECOPPER.jpg


OR


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v358/DobieG/DARIDEBLACK.jpg

I think 17" is about the max I will go.

[skyphix]

Nice chop and choice in wheels. 17" were my max for a long time but as tasteful 18" wheels came out I started looking there.


Im still sticking with 17's all around, but 18" on the back would look pretty nice (if not make it interesting to stop :laugh: )

[fastest430]

Here is what I'm trying to do...ala Photoshop and I do like that 2" drop.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v358/DobieG/DARIDECOPPER.jpg


OR


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v358/DobieG/DARIDEBLACK.jpg

I think 17" is about the max I will go.

The 17's look great
I just wanted to drop in and see if that comes in green?

[Dobie G]

The 17's look great
I just wanted to drop in and see if that comes in green?


Give me an idea of what green you want and I'll knock it out.


Chris