My resto-mod 57 Ranchero is in final primer, ready for paint.
I know it has been asked before, and answered several times before, but I am about ready to order my wheels, and tires.
The wheels I am looking at are
Front 17 x 7 with 4.25 backspace --- I have the R & P from this forum installed, Disc brakes installed, no other modifications.
Rear 18 x 8 with 4.50 backspace--- No Mods to suspension.
Does anyone have actual knowledge, or opinions if these wheels will fit.
Anyone ??
Can't help you out with that. How are you going to get an accurate speedometer if you put 17 inch tires on?
I don't know if this will help but I took the rear wheels off my 02 GT Mustang which were 18x10 and put them on the rear of my 57 fairlane 500. I had a 1/8 inch space to the leaf spring. About the same to the outer body
I was running torque thrusts 17x7 with a 4" backspace on the front with no problems, 18x8 with a 4.75 backspace on the back with plenty of room on the back side and about 1/2" on the front side. It also depends on the tire you use. I recently changed to a cragar street pros 17x7 with a 3.75 backspace on the front with no problems and a 17x8 with a 4-5/8 backspace doesn't rub but its tight. Threw in a picture of my 351W y-block one a be.
Pictures of the ranchero didn't work, I will try it again.
looks good..wheels look good too, good choice.
Those pictures don't do it any justice, its beautiful in person.
Zap- :unitedstates:
Quote from: clusterbuster on 2014-10-17 18:52
Can't help you out with that. How are you going to get an accurate speedometer if you put 17 inch tires on?
As long as the tire circumference is the same as original it shouldn't change the speedo readings.
All that's out the window with a more modern running gear though.
Didn't know that you could maintain the same circumference with that big of a tire. That is one beautiful Ranchero pictured there.
Quote from: clusterbuster on 2014-10-18 08:35
Didn't know that you could maintain the same circumference with that big of a tire. That is one beautiful Ranchero pictured there.
A p205 75 14 is within 1/4" of a p245 50 17 in height. I personally don't like the look of low profile tires on older cars, but that's just my taste.
Randy
I have a set of torque thrust 2s, 17x7, 4" backspace. No clearance issues, I did learn that my axle was not centered, I have fixed that problem. I wanted this style and color for the car, they only came in 17s. Im happy with the look. The tires are 235x50x17, I mounted a set of freebies to make sure that they cleared, when I get the keeper's I'll go for less tire on the front, this is to much tire for this old girl. Mark
The 205/70/14 inch tires are what my 57 has on it. They fit well and the radial tire sure is an improvement over the old tires from the 50"s. Has a softer ride..
Quote from: Frankenstein57 on 2014-10-18 11:42
I have a set of torque thrust 2s, 17x7, 4" backspace. No clearance issues, I did learn that my axle was not centered, I have fixed that problem. I wanted this style and color for the car, they only came in 17s. Im happy with the look. The tires are 235x50x17, I mounted a set of freebies to make sure that they cleared, when I get the keeper's I'll go for less tire on the front, this is to much tire for this old girl. Mark
Mark...when you get your "keepers", are you going to stay with the 17 x 7 up front, or go with a narrower rim (assuming they offer one).
I really think your wheel/tire size is perfect on the back....what I was hoping to get on mine.
Rich
Rich , I was hoping to put a bit less tire on those wheels. Not wanting to spend more $ on wheels. If anyone has any input if a 225 or 215 would fit a 17x 7 OK, please join in. This car doesn't have power steering, it handled much better with explorer wheels and smaller 15" radials. The front end has been gone over and is fairly tight, I recently found I was towed in, I fixed that and its driving better. The wider low profile tires definitely search around on the pavement, and our roads up here take a beating in winter, Mark
I trial fit my Coys wheels Elenanors 17x8 w/ 4.75 backspacing off my 65 Mustang Fastback. Fronts 225/45/17, Rears 245/45/17. No problem with clearance on either. I however, never drove it like that, and didn't have the engine in either. Hope this helps.... maybe muddy the waters even worse! haha
Kevin
Kevin, if you still have that wheel/tire combination from the Mustang, would you measure the outside diameter of the front tire for me? I'm putting a battery box partially into the wheelwell and need to double check clearance. I think the size you mentioned is pretty close to what I'm hoping to end up with.
Rich,
The 225/45/17 Kuhmo Ecsta SPT I have are about 24.5". I have found over the years that tire sizes are actually different depending on the brand even though they are the same .../../17
Kevin
I have posted this information once before but since my car is a daily driver and I have had no tire clearance problems I thought it was worth putting my specs out there again. I'm running American Eagle 111 Series wheels all around on my Custom 300. They have a 3.850" backspacing. My 300 has Granada disc brakes on front and drum brakes on rear. Front tires are P195/65-R15 and the rear are P215/75-R15. No clearance problems . . . but with the tires I?m running on the back they are tight to the outside. You could run a narrower rear tire and have more clearance but with a 460 Lincoln engine and posi rear end I wanted something that would give me a little more traction.
Quote from: 65kcode on 2014-10-24 15:24
Rich,
The 225/45/17 Kuhmo Ecsta SPT I have are about 24.5". I have found over the years that tire sizes are actually different depending on the brand even though they are the same .../../17
Kevin
Thanks....appreciate the time!
Thats what we do Rich! :001:
Kevin
Quote from: 65kcode on 2014-10-24 15:24
Rich,
The 225/45/17 Kuhmo Ecsta SPT I have are about 24.5". I have found over the years that tire sizes are actually different depending on the brand even though they are the same .../../17
Kevin
I ran into this when I installed 215's, they are now the size of a 205 and I could have used 225's :005:. The tire dealer I use, a small mom & pop shop, told me all the tire manufactures are making them smaller then they use to be. Save a $1 on each tire and after you sell a few million it adds up. I noticed the same thing with fan belts, the same part number replacement for an old belt is now narrower.......
Here's an old hot rodders trick. Because the right look with big and little tire combinations on a hot rod is so important the speedo in never correct. To correct this we take the cars to a speedometer shop and let them do all the math and build us a small inline gear box. Not too expensive and allows you to have the exact look you want.
LOL...here's a NEW hot rodder's trick...get a digital speedometer (or a gps speedometer)...push a button, drive a mile, push it again...your speedometer is calibrated. One of the advantages of doing a restomod.
Quote from: RICH MUISE on 2014-10-25 18:28
LOL...here's a NEW hot rodder's trick...get a digital speedometer (or a gps speedometer)...push a button, drive a mile, push it again...your speedometer is calibrated. One of the advantages of doing a restomod.
LOL, we'll believe it when we see it. If the reading is taken from the trans output shaft and you are running the lower 57 rear end gears all your friends will be impressed when they go for a ride and you are doing 140 mph LOL. What is the top speed those digital register?
I think mine's 140 top. I may be wrong, but I thought that was the whole point of driving the measured mile between pushing buttons....to set the speedometer regardless of gearing/tire size. My book of times I've been wrong is getting pretty thick....I went beyond just a list a long time ago.
Rich, that maybe, I haven't a clue how this new electronics works LOL. I'm old school and just swap a different tooth speedo gear.
Rich, you're right this time............
Zap- :unitedstates:
Quote from: hiball3985 on 2014-10-25 21:01
Rich, that maybe, I haven't a clue how this new electronics works LOL. I'm old school and just swap a different tooth speedo gear.
Jim We are both in the same boat. I do things the old school way also.
Bob...That 57 Custom 300 of yours is absolutely beautiful.