Hey Guys, Car: 1969 Buick GS lowered approx 1" front, 1 1/2" rear using Hotchkis Springs I want to go to 17s so I can get good quality tires with better traction all around. Dont want to go any bigger to retain ride quality. Will this combo work? FRONT 17x8 4.5" backspacing with 235/45/17 REAR 17x9 5.25" backspacing with 255/55/17 I would have really liked 275/50/17 instead of 255/55/17. Any chance they would work? LINK TO THE WHEELS I AM CONSIDERING US Mags U109 Bandit wheels 17x8 + 17x9 http://www.ebay.com/itm/381692200711 LINKS TO THE TIRES I AM CONSIDERING FRONT 235/45/17 Federal 595 from ebay http://www.ebay.com/itm/252568637069 REAR 255/50/17 Federal 595 from ebay http://www.ebay.com/itm/282167495570 Any advice or help would be appreciated - CoolBH6
I wish I could be of more help but I have a 65 Skylark with aftermarket a-arms for the front. I am running a 245/45ZR17 on the front with 4.75" backspacing. No problem. With stock components yours should work with you 235's. On the back I am running 285/40ZR17 but you have more room than I do in the fender wells. My original rear end was 1" shorter that the 1971 rear I am running now. So I had to run a wheel with 6 3/8" back spacing but again my setup is different that yours. I think you are close. There are devices to use that you can get a real good measurement.
Optimally, you will want more back spacing. An 8" wide rim will need 5" of BS for the 68-69 cars. A 9" will need 5.5" of BS at the rear.
I'm thinking it's not enough backspacing with stock wheelhouse. Has the inside lip been trimmed or modified? The other thing to consider is you are lowering 1.5 at the rear which might have an effect also on the inside clearance. The body is most likely not centered either and will have an effect on required backspacing from left to right. My guess is you are going to need a 5.5 - 5.625 backspace for a 9" rim. On my 68 I'm running a 18 x 10" rim with 6.25 BS, some info in this thread http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.p...-5-in-the-rear-think-a-5-25-backspace-is-good You also have two different size rear tires mentioned here, 27" and 28" high. I would suggest you do some really good measuring (before buying) after the lowering springs are installed to verify what backspacing your car will require for whichever tire height you are deciding on going with.
I'm running those exact wheels in 17x8 square on my 65 with 245s. No issues in rear. Front was fine until I added my disc brake conversion (from a 4th gen Camaro) and it rubs slightly at full turn when compressed.
I went through the same thing from what I've been told any wheels over 7" wide will need 5" BS or trimming some off the inner fender lip. I went with 17x7+2mm with 17/55/225 tires. I got the look I was looking for. I installed a complete rear suspension yesterday so now I have to adjust the coil overs to get the rear even, I think the front is OK.
Hello again, guys, I hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving! I'm Black-Friday shopping and am planning on getting these wheels- http://www.jegs.com/i/JEGS-Performance-Products/555/670046/10002/-1 http://www.jegs.com/i/JEGS-Performance-Products/555/670056/10002/-1) They're 17"X8"- 5.25" BS and 17"X9"-6"BS respectively. I measured as per Larry's instructions (thank you) in this thread http://v8buick.com/index.php?threads/70-skylark-tire-size.322854/#post-2696395 and everything SEEMS to fit. Before I pull the trigger, does anyone see anything that I may have overlooked? My math has failed me before... Thanks, all... P.S. I'm planning on running Firestone Firehawk Indy 500s in either 245/45R17 (9.6" section/25.7" tall) front and 275/45R17 (10.9" sectional/25.7" tall) rear or 235/55R17 (9.7" sectional/27.2" tall) all around. I'll decide that when they go on sale or in the springtime. I currently am running BFG Radial T/As in 225/14R70s (9"sectional/26.4" tall) all around.
I have 235 55's all around now with plenty of room. I am going to wider in the rear, not sure what size yet. I have a 70 Skylark tho so not sure how that my differ from your 69
Thanks, Dave, I'm gonna go for them... Gonna go with the Firestone Firehawk Indy 500s in 235/55R17. They're 9.7" wide and 27.2" high. I think the 245/45R17s will be too short at 25.7" high. Thanks again and I'll post pics in the spring!
As long as you measured and there are no interference issues on the inside of the wheel, you are good. My 8" wide wheels have 4 1/2" B.S., but I know 5" would work as well. On a 9" wheel, I'd want at least 5". This is for the 70-72 cars.
69's and 70's are completely different, 70's have more room. I have 17x7's with standard backspace (4 inch?) as I didn't want to wait months for custom order (many years ago). I run 225/45 front and 245/45 rear. Wider in rear with more backspacing would be nice, fronts are fine.
