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Old 01-08-2017, 09:19 PM
size-o size-o is offline
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Default Front & Rear Tire Sizes

Hello All,

I plan on going with 345 wide tires in the rear so I've realized that I have to tub my 70 Chevelle and likely narrow the axle. Still have to figure that out. I would like to use 20" wheels front and rear however what is the widest wheel I can get up front. I want to drop the car 2-3" so with the wheels tucked in behind the fender what would be widest I can get up front.

Perry
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Old 01-08-2017, 11:16 PM
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shadowgray396 shadowgray396 is offline
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For a 20" wheel, I know I don't know the answer. I have seen 18x9 w/ 5.5 back space with 275/35's. For me 20" rims don't look that good on the Chevelles.
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Last edited by shadowgray396; 01-08-2017 at 11:24 PM.
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Old 02-20-2017, 08:42 PM
size-o size-o is offline
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In order to get wider tires in the rear, I will have to tub the car. Is there any frame work I have to do. Not sure if the frame gets in the way.

Also, would I have to narrow the rear axle?

Thanks for your input.

Perry
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Old 02-23-2017, 06:38 PM
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20" do not look good on the front of a Chevelle. Besides 2" or 3" drop and the 20's would not work up front anyways without rubbing the inner fenders. I know 15x10 with a 5.5 backspace and a 295/60 will fit the rears with no alterations at all.
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Old 02-23-2017, 10:12 PM
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I like information like that. I got 295/50/15's on the van. That is a nice tire.
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Old 02-27-2017, 04:26 PM
size-o size-o is offline
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Thanks for the replies everyone. After all my research I will be going with 325-335/35R18 wheel-tire combination. Has anyone used wide tires that forced you to tub the car? Plus, does anyone have any photos of what they had to do with the frame. Looks like I will have to narrow and box the frame.

Thanks again,
Perry
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Old 02-28-2017, 08:12 AM
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I never tubbed. But due to running M-50's back in the day, I did trim all excess metal from the fender lip when I did the metalwork. Made it match the wheel well up in there that can't be trimmed.
Gave myself a extra half inch to play with. It is half as wide as it was factory now. Actually it turned out nice. Same width as the trim piece is. And that was a sheer stroke of luck.
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Old 03-10-2017, 10:54 AM
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It took a fair bit of digging but I found this article in Car Craft (March/2000) magazine and it summarizes largest wheel combinations for our cars using stock suspension and no tubbing. I'm sure manufacturing tolerances then were not as good as they are today, but, it makes me hopeful that I can get a bigger tire in there. Sorry, but the chart got a little messed up when copying over but you get the idea.

Perry

Year Wheel Diameter Max Wheel Size Backspacing Tire info
64-67 All 8 inch wheel width 4.5 inch Section Width:245, Aspect Ratio: 15=60, 16=50, 17=40, 18=35
68-72 15" 15x8 4.5 inch 255/60
. 16" 16x8 4.5 inch 255/50
. 17" 17x9.5 (front) 5.5 inch 275/40
. 17" 17x11 (rear) 5.5 inch 315/35
. 18" 18x9.5 (front) 5.5 inch 275/40
. 18" 18x11 (rear) 5.5 inch 315/35
73-77 No Info Yet N/A N/A N/A
78-87 All 8 inch wheel width 4.5 inch Aspect ratio of 50 or less, 245 front 255 rear
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Old 03-10-2017, 02:13 PM
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Copy and pasted in the chevelle info folder. Thank you very much Sir.
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Old 03-10-2017, 09:14 PM
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Perry, my 70 has 15x8 4.5 inch with 275/60 and the car is lowered 2" with no alterations what so ever...........lots of room.
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