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Wheels: How wide is too wide?

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  • 60 T-Bird
    Experienced
    • Jun 2 2010
    • 347

    Wheels: How wide is too wide?

    I have read in a few past threads the width and offset of rim that will clear the wheel well. Last I heard someone had said their 7 1/2" wide cleared with a little clearance. Well... I picked up a set of American Racing torq thrust's The rears are 8" and the fronts, 6" (cheeeeeap). Without the skirt they just clear but to make the skirt work I had to remove 1/2" from the skirts. You can see from the photo's attached that I am showing the forward skirt modified and the one in the background not yet modified.
    I hope this is helpful.
    P.S. Please excuse the way "Angelina" looks. I'm doing the metal replacement and fairing of the body!
    Attached Files
    Last edited by 60 T-Bird; January 17, 2011, 12:30 AM.
    "Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming: Wow - what a ride!"
  • Anders
    Super-Experienced
    • Jan 19 2008
    • 2213

    #2
    I guess the question is you can put them on / take them off.
    I find it half-tricky with the original size with our wheel arch.
    sigpic..."Lil darling Ruth":)
    http://www.tbirdregistry.com/#33158

    Comment

    • RustyNCa
      Super-Experienced
      • May 31 2007
      • 1370

      #3
      Originally posted by Anders
      I guess the question is you can put them on / take them off.
      I find it half-tricky with the original size with our wheel arch.
      You should try it with the setup I am running .

      I have to lift the car, set it on jack stands, disconnect the passenger side shock, then lower the rear end, and let air out of the drivers side tire, to get that tire off the car.

      The passenger side isn't as hard.

      Now if or when I remove the rear drums and go to disc I don't think I will have those problems any more. The problem is getting the rim to clear the drum in the room provided.

      Originally posted by 60 T-Bird
      Without the skirt they just clear but to make the skirt work I had to remove 1/2" from the skirts. You can see from the photo's attached that I am showing the forward skirt modified and the one in the background not yet modified.
      I didn't cut my skirts, but I did have to roll them to get them to clear my tires.

      I am running a 17x8 rim in the rear with a 275x45 tire by the way.

      Comment

      • Anders
        Super-Experienced
        • Jan 19 2008
        • 2213

        #4
        Ha, ha, ha, ha !
        Last edited by Anders; January 17, 2011, 04:03 PM.
        sigpic..."Lil darling Ruth":)
        http://www.tbirdregistry.com/#33158

        Comment

        • 60 T-Bird
          Experienced
          • Jun 2 2010
          • 347

          #5
          For my set up I merely raise the car under the rear shackle so the differential is all the way in its extended position and keep about 3" under the tire to the ground so I can snake it out. I doubt anyone could get 8 1/2s to work unless fender mods were done.
          "Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming: Wow - what a ride!"

          Comment

          • dgs
            Super-Experienced
            • Feb 13 2003
            • 962

            #6
            Rusty, I thought you were running 9" or 10" wide in the rear. I've got 17" x 8" on mine as well and aside from the minor gymnastics to get them on and off, they fit just fine with the skirts. In fact, I'd say there's a little more room, especially on the inside.

            The missing dimension that many haven't mentioned is the offset. I'm running zero offset, a negative offset on the same 8" width would bring the tire closer to the skirt, positive offset would push it in toward the springs.

            I'd guess 9" is possible with a little positive offset, but I'm not sure you could get them installed.

            BTW - I'm running the same wheels up front and they just fit, no extra room at all. In fact, at extreme LH lock, my drivers front tire just rubs the bolt heads for the steering box.
            DGS (aka salguod)
            1960 Convertible - Raven Black, Red leather
            www.salguod.net

            Comment

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