5" or 5.47" BS

Discussion in 'The Hides' started by Oldskewl59, Sep 22, 2021.

  1. Oldskewl59

    Oldskewl59 Gold Level Contributor

    So I was about to hit the buy button at Summit for the American Racing VN501's. 17x9 with a 5" backspace. Then I saw they they also had 5.47" backspace for this wheel. I have a 1971 GS and 1" lower UMI Springs in the rear. Which one of the options is the better choice?
     
  2. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    Gary,
    I currently have an 8" wide wheel with 4 1/2" of back spacing. That isn't enough on one side of the car. It rubs a bit on the driver's side. I currently have 2 more 8" wide wheels on order from Wheel Vintiques, with 5" of back spacing.

    In theory, a 9" wide wheel would need another 1/2" of back spacing to 5". If I was ordering those wheels, I would want the extra 1/2" of back spacing, so 5.47".

    I can't guarantee what will fit YOUR car, all I can tell you is what I would do for MY car. Be guided accordingly.:)
     
  3. Oldskewl59

    Oldskewl59 Gold Level Contributor

    Thanks, Larry. I was thinking the 5" would be pretty close. When I saw the 5.47's, I was happy, but not entirely sure. I am also putting Baer 13" rotors on it and I need to check to make sure they are the same as the drums, but with the extra backspace and your experience, I am much more confident it will work fine.
     
  4. Canadian GS 350

    Canadian GS 350 Well-Known Member

    CEE2D5F5-F183-407D-8FD4-D2E57B81036D.jpeg E39B672B-3D6F-40B8-A52D-D186BF724DD7.jpeg E7285A21-9F9D-41FD-897F-61444FE3615F.jpeg E8F0B0AB-C2F7-4964-8FAD-F99C9E2404B9.jpeg AF42D05B-67F2-4CA0-8FA1-196ABD309E90.jpeg 205DA0C6-3177-4D97-AC6B-4508D4961CF7.jpeg 6353044C-0525-4B68-9FFC-4CC94C3A8CF6.jpeg I just mounted 275/50/15 on 8 inch wide rims with 5.5 bs on a 72 GS. There is about 5/8 to 3/4 “ of space between tire and inner wheel well/frame, 1.5 inches between tire and outer wheel well lip. As long as drum face, position of wheel when mounted on your disc brake are the same, your back space and rim width should position your wheel in center of the wheel well.
     
  5. Oldskewl59

    Oldskewl59 Gold Level Contributor

    Thanks Canadian. That helps. I believe the tire will be a 245/45/17, but not sure of that just yet. I will contact Baer and check the measurement. If its too wide I will have to make another choice, but I believe its all good.
     
  6. 87GN_70GS

    87GN_70GS Well-Known Member

    Flip a coin. Factory offset was 1/4", that would be 5.25" b.s. in your case. Either will work
     
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