Novice trying to buy steel wheels

Discussion in 'Wet behind the ears??' started by 79Regal17, Mar 25, 2021.

  1. 79Regal17

    79Regal17 Member

    Hi Guys!

    Long, long time since I've signed on to this site. I got my 79 regal with a Chevy 350 when I was 17. I wanted to change the wheels since the day I got it, and only now that I'm 32 am I finally doing something about it lol. I would like to run standard body colored GM steel wheels with the poverty / dog dish center caps , 15x7 in front and 15x8 in back but I have no idea what the backspacing is. I have standard factory disk brakes up front and a grand national rear axle out back , which I assume is the same as standard g-body width. From there I don't know what tire to go with. I would prefer to stick with the tried and trueBFG radial t/a's for brand. Currently I'm running 14s, 205/70 in front, and 245/60 out back. I like that look and would like to do something similar with the 15s.

    So pretty much I need someone with knowledge of the 78-80 A/G- body to tell me what backspacing for the 15x7 and 15x8 steel wheels to buy, as well as the corresponding tire sizes.

    Thank You in advance!
     
  2. Nailhead in a 1967

    Nailhead in a 1967 Kell-Mnown Wember

    Bolt circle is 5 x 4.75 a.k.a. "GM small bolt circle".
     
  3. pbr400

    pbr400 68GS400

    235/60/15 is the correct height for G bodies. GNs had 215/65/15, and 215x.65=139.75. 139.75/.60=232.9 which is essentially 235. It looks like the factory 15x7s had 3 3/4” of backspace. So that should work on the front and you’ll want a little more for a 15x8 rear.
    When you swap in a 455 you may need different front springs.
    Patrick
     
    79Regal17 likes this.
  4. 79Regal17

    79Regal17 Member

    How did you know I wanted to swap in a 455? Lol

     
  5. pbr400

    pbr400 68GS400

    It’s the right thing to do!
    Patrick
     
    DasRottweiler likes this.
  6. sean Buick 76

    sean Buick 76 Buick Nut

    I’m running 15x8 Trans am wheels on my 75 Regal. 4- 3/8" backspacing. I run 235/60R15 up front and 295/50R15 rear. Perfect fit and no rub.
     

    Attached Files:

    pbr400 likes this.
  7. 79Regal17

    79Regal17 Member

    So for the front I'm thinking these:
    15x6 - 5x4.75- 3.75" BS
    https://www.jegs.com/i/Wheel-Vintiques/939/62-5634334/10002/-1


    and rears these:
    15x8 - 5x4.75 - 4.25" BS
    https://www.jegs.com/i/Wheel-Vintiques/939/62-5834044/10002/-1

    Is that enough backspace for the rears? should I go more?

    also...why the hell are plain jane steel wheels so expensive and hard to find used!? lol
     
  8. 79Regal17

    79Regal17 Member

    Also for tires I was thinking 205/60/15 BFG Radial t/a's out front and 275/60/15 Mickey Thompson ET Streets out back. good idea?
     
  9. sean Buick 76

    sean Buick 76 Buick Nut

    4.25 should be fine. I have tons of room with the 295-50R 15 and I would use 235/60R 15 up front.
     
  10. pbr400

    pbr400 68GS400

    Steel wheels are cool now. Combine that with all the crushing and recycling that happened a few years ago (when they weren’t cool) and suddenly they’re scarce. I think your wheel choices are good. Personally I’d do 15x7 all the way around with the same size tire (235/60), but there’s nothing wrong with more in the rear. 205/60 is a short tire for the front though, you may have too much open wheelwell with it.
    Patrick
     
  11. 79Regal17

    79Regal17 Member

    Soo maybe 205/70 then?
     
  12. pbr400

    pbr400 68GS400

    79Regal17 likes this.
  13. Dragdoc

    Dragdoc Well-Known Member

    I think you will find that 275/60-15 is pretty wide under a ‘79 Regal. Its definitely NOT the same as a ‘75.

    Consider a 255/60-15 on a 7” rim
     

Share This Page