A66 Wheels/Tires....almost there and could need some help before placing order

[kawahonda]

Hi all,

I've confirmed that I do not like the 17" ralleye wheels on these classic muscle cars. This rules out the aluminum ralleyes. Nice wheels, just not for me.

So now I'm back to 15" steelies. I'm assuming that the US Wheel Steel Series 667 is as good as ever?

Been doing a lot of research. Here's what I ended up with for tire sizes for a "set it and forget it" setup:

Rear: 255/60/15
Front: 225/60/15 or 235/60/15.

The rear at 255 pretty much guarantees that you shouldn't have to massage the opening lip with the correct backspacing. That's not something that I would want to do. 255 should look decently "meaty" too without being overbearing.

The front...I'm not sure weather or not to go 225 or 235. Any pros/cons?

Looking for a nice staggered look, but nothing too aggressive. Getting new eaton springs in the rear is definitely on the list since the current HD 4-leaf springs are probably a big saggy and one side already has "helper" springs. Will come later. Getting rid of the 18 year old tires comes first though.

Question:

15 x 7 or 15 x 8?

Both these sizes with the "silver/chrome" look come in 4.5" backspacing only.

[RUNCHARGER]

Hard to see but both these Challengers had 235X60X15 front and 245X60X15 rear on 7 inch wheels. The orange car was an A-66 but I powered it up a bit. For contrast the old photo of my FM3 Challenger shows 275X60X15 and 245X60X15 front, they were 7 inch wheels as well.

[kawahonda]

That Orange A66 has the perfect size tires/wheels IMO.

Sounds like 7" is the correct wheel to get, regardless of tire size for these beasts....

Do you know the backspacing of those wheels? 4.5" backspacing with steelies is my only choice. "assuming" that it's perfect...

I'm thinking 235 ft/255r is going to be the combo I may shoot for.....hell, even 245's may work for the rear, but those shadows in your photos definitely help "fatten" up the look a little....

[RUNCHARGER]

The orange car's wheels were supposed to be 3 3/4 inch BS. I never did measure them to confirm though. With more BS you could run a wider tire. It seems to me the stock rims had 4 3/4 inch BS, I may be wrong on that though. I do know the aftermarket wheels moved the tire out enough to limit it to 245X60X15. I think with a 4.5 inch BS you could run an 8 inch wheel and most likely run 275X60X15 if you want to. Hopefully some other guys will respond to back that idea up.

[kawahonda]

Thanks.

Seems like my choice is going to be 15 x 7 w/ 4.5" BS all around. 255/60/15 in rear, 235/60/15 in the front.

You guys see any problem with this on a stock 70 challenger 340? I think it should look a tad bit aggressive, but doesn't stray too far from stock. I'd think proportions should be good.

Wondering thoughts on 225 vs 235 for the front. Pros/Cons?

[Burdar]

This is a 235-60 drag radial on a 15x8 Rallye wheel.  Personally, I'd run the 235's up front on the 7" wide wheel and the 255's in back with the 8" wide wheel.

[kawahonda]

That's a good recommendation. The 8" wheel in the rear will help fill space up more, I presume. And 255s should guarantee no rubbing.

What's the difference that a 15x7 vs a 15x8 wheel in the back make with the same backspacing?

[kawahonda]

Runcharger, what backspacing do you have on your wheels?

I'm still trying to determine if I want 15 x 7 or 15 x 8 in the back or not! Same backspacing at 4 1/2".  Would the 8" wheel in the back give the illusion of a wider tire, even though the tire is the same size?

School me!

[ToxicWolf]

My Challenger was an A66 and I put 15s on.  Rears one inch wider than fronts.

[kawahonda]

I get that, but I'm trying to visualize what it does.

15 x 7 w/ 255 rear tires vs 15 x 8 w/ 255 rear tirres.

If 15 x 7 and 15 x 8 provide same back spacing, then I assume the tire swill "push" towards quarter more with 15 x 8 rim.

Pros/cons?

[ToxicWolf]

I get that, but I'm trying to visualize what it does.

15 x 7 w/ 255 rear tires vs 15 x 8 w/ 255 rear tirres.

If 15 x 7 and 15 x 8 provide same back spacing, then I assume the tire swill "push" towards quarter more with 15 x 8 rim.

Pros/cons?

Unfortunately mine is in the shop or I would run out and take some pictures for you ... get tire sizes ... etc.  The dish on the back wheels is definitely deeper than the fronts.  Here is the only pic I have on my computer. 

[kawahonda]

Nice Pic! Looks good to me. I'm just wondering what the Pro/Cons of 15 x 7 vs 15 x 8 with the same 255 tire on the rear is.

[ToxicWolf]

Nice Pic! Looks good to me. I'm just wondering what the Pro/Cons of 15 x 7 vs 15 x 8 with the same 255 tire on the rear is.

I put wider tires on the back. That was why I got the wider rear wheels.

[Chryco Psycho]

I ended up with 15x7 in front & 15x8 ralleys in the rear , I used the Nitto 555 275 / 50 / 15 on the rear with lots of room , I liked the look better with the wider 275 tread & the drag radial compound but with the shorter 50 series tire , the 275 60 looks too tall under there

[kawahonda]

Ugh, that's a different topic. I think 275 is too wide from what I've been seeing.....

I think I've nailed the tire sizes down as 235 and 255. You guys tell me if that won't look good....

All I'm wondering is for the rear rim, do I do 15 x 7 and 15 x 8. Either will work, I'm sure of it, I'm just wondering what the visual benefit is!



I do plan to get +1 rear leafs in the future....