I'm looking for the widest combination I can get on the back of my GS- am I stuck with a 295- or can I go wider- please help- the wheels are on the way!! o No:
You can put 325'50R15's on the back. I have them with a 15x10 wheel with 5-5/8" backspacing. It's TIGHT, but it's up in there.
Did you have to cut the wheel well lip or anything like that to keep it up in there without rubbing? How is it cornering? Thanks.
Yes, the wheel well lip must be trimmed back up to the spot welds to insure no rubbing during suspension travel. But just along the top, you don't have to go down the sides at all. You can't even see it when you're looking at the car. Only if you stick your head down and look up can you notice it. And if you do a smooth transition, it's almost impossible to tell to the lay person. Car corners fine. I do have polygraphite bushings all around, front and rear oversized sway bars and Edelbrock IAS shocks.
I have 325/50-15s on just an 8.5 inch rim. Not the recommended rim to tire fit (but I like the look anyway). Mine fit fine with no trimming of the wheel wells for both my 70 GS and 71 Skylark. No rubbing on corners either. I have 4.5 backspacing if I remember correctly. Hope this helps.
Phil and or Rob, I started a thread about getting some new rims, I have a question for you guys, hope you can help me: I'm going to use 295's on the rear, I like that look. Can I use 15x10's with 295/15/50's and not have to trim anything.... Car is worth a bit too much now, not comfortable trimming anything. What backspacing with the 10" rim do you suggest? Thanks VinMan.......
You might be OK with a 15"X10" with 5" backspace however the 5" B/S on a 10" rim means that the wheel will be centered in the wheel well, on my two 72 Skylarks I meaured the distance between the drum and front edge of the outer wheel well and then the distance between the drum face and the inner fender and on both cars I had @ 1" more room on the inside than the outside so I had Specialty Wheels make my 15"X8" custom rims with a 5" B/S so the tires would be tucked inside the fender more than the outside. My 295X50X15 fit and look great. No rubbing and no cutting. Tim
Tim, I went to Specialty's web page, it's vague to say the least... (I hope they see this post so they can make a better page) I also went to Eastwoods and they show standard for the 15x8 with a 4.5" backspacing. But you went with a 5"..... That extra 1/2" will give me a little extra clearence to keep the tire from rubbing the inner fender...?....and, you have no issues with the 295's on the inside of the tire rubbing the frame? I guess it would be the same if I went with a 15x10, that extra 1/2 would give me some addition room to the inner fender also. Now I'm still in the dilemma of going with 15x8 or 15x10..... Thanks
if you have any pictures of the car from the rear, then some close up of the fit, those would be great to see. my email is: vferrante@ewingfoley.com
Dave, nice pictures thanks. Does anyone have a picture of a 15x10 rally rim with 295 tire on it. o No: I just want to see what it will look like before I decide. I know what a 15x8 looks like and that's what I'm leaning towards.....
I'm leaning towards the 15x10 rear. I'm still not clear as to what backspacing to use..... o No: .... I do not want to cut or modify anything. Tire will be 295/50/15 I think 15x10 with 5" backspacing would be ok, but would 5 & 1/2" fit better.....?
The 5.5" backspacing will tuck them in there better and avoid any chance of rubbing. That tire is about 1.25" narrower than the 325, so you'd be fine I believe.
Wheels I have put an N-50-15 and a 305-50-15 with a 5.5" backspace on a 70 and they both fit. The N-50 being taller and slightly wider sidewall to sidewall was close but did not rub. The 305 fit well so a 295 w/5.5" bs. is the way to go. A 17x11 w/6" backspace and a 315-35-17 works good too.
