E-Body Tire Combos

[73Chally]

I am looking at putting 18 x 9 inch wide rims on the rear of a 71 Challenger.  Would 5.5 inches of back space be to much or to little.  Does anyone have any experience with this size rim.  Also what would be the tallest tire I could put on the rear without causing a problem.  I've been told a 27" is about normal, but could you go up to a 29".

I am running 17x8 wheels with 4 3/4" BS (I think), and 255/60-17 tires, which are 29" tall and no problems with rubbing.  The problem you might run into is width, but height should not be an issue.

[nz70cuda]

hi before i had the cuda i had a 70 challenger i had 18x8 on the front with 245/40/18  with a 4.5 back spaceand on the rear i had 18x10 with 27540/18  with a 5.5 back space but next time i would go bigger on the rear maby a 285/40/18 to give it a bit of sidewall  .   

[ShelbyDogg]

I am looking at putting 18 x 9 inch wide rims on the rear of a 71 Challenger.  Would 5.5 inches of back space be to much or to little. 

I think that with a 9" wheel on a CHALLENGER, a 5" backspacing would be the one to use.

[tommyg29]

I'm no expert, but I think about 4.75" is about maximum backspace for a rear wheel, unless you move the leaf springs, or you use a narrow tire. Maybe 5.5" on some cars due to factory tolerances and if you use a tire smaller than about a 275.
I think I have 15x8 rear w/3.75 backspace, with a 275/60 tire and theres a little more than one inch of space left, so about 5" bs would be about max for me.
I dont know how some people manage larger tires without mods. Some of the numbers I have seen I know for a fact will not work with my 71 cuda. Like I said, maybe poor factory tolerances, or slight changes from one year to the next, or both?

[tommyg29]

nzcuda terry,
love that look with the AR TTs, but theres NO way I can fit tires that big under my car. I've measured every which way from sunday, and it's not happening.
But a set of 17x9 rear and 17x8 front, both 4.5" backspace should fit comfortably with 275/50 and 245/50 rubber.
The stance is perfect also, and with my air shocks and hemi torsion bars I shouldnt have a hard time lowering my car about 1" to make it look like yours...perfect.
 

[nz70cuda]

hi tommy i think i have been lucky i have made no mods to the rear of the cuda springs and body ect , you would think all cudas would be approx the same but a 9 inch would be better for the 275/40/18 , on the challenger i had, it did need a bigger tyre to look good because of the bigger rear  gaurds they have . anyway any chance of a pic of your cuda cheers terry

[tommyg29]

I think I posted these in this topic before but:




These are 15x8 and 15x7 Weld Prostars w/275 and 235 BFG rubber.
I'm definitely looking to go with the 17" AR TTs, and probably blackwall.

[tommyg29]

PS
I like the way the 275 rubber fills the rear fender, but I want to fill out the front a little more, but I think 17x8 is about the max, and the backspace is critical.

[Skeleton73]

Put these on earlier this summer: 16x8 Vintage Wheel Works all around, 4.5 BS.  I had 245/45/16s all around at first but they were too short and wouldn't balance. I upgraded to 245/50/16 BFG G-Force in front and 255/50/16 rear BFG in the rear.

I've raised the front 1" since these pics were taken.  My friend set it up super low for the track, but you couldn't turn the wheels more than a few inches right or left!

[nz70cuda]

PS
I like the way the 275 rubber fills the rear fender, but I want to fill out the front a little more, but I think 17x8 is about the max, and the backspace is critical.

hi tommy thats a nice cuda your a lucky man , it will be nice to see when you do change the wheels   

[punisher72]

My wheels are Coys 18x7" front and 20x8" back 225 on front and 275 35' on back. We didnt have enough clearance between the tyre and gaurd at back so the locating holes were redrilled and moved back!!!!!

[punisher72]

Sorry the diff was moved back just to clarify  I took her in to day to lower back 2 inches and bring front down so it was even along sill panel. 

[punisher72]

Lowered

[miketyler]

Does look better lowered. 

[punisher72]

Yeh it certainly does. Only the tailshaft hits the floor now  So im gunna have to raise her up again