275 Square on a Malibu

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Wraith

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Jan 13, 2013
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Anyone pulling off 275/45/17 on a 9-9.5" wheel all around on a Malibu? Preferably a lowered one using drop spindles? I have an idea for my wheels that would be nice to run a squared setup but not required. I can always revert to an 8-8.5" up front. I've seen the Cutlass wagons with it.
 

UNGN

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Sep 6, 2016
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I know it can be done, but you'll need to roll the fender lip flat and completely rework the inner fender. Tall ball joints will help to lessen the wheel rub. The Offset requirements front to back are off by 1" to 1.5" to run a 9" rim, especially if you go with big brakes, so you can run 1" to 1.5" wheel adapters in back and run the same size wheels all around
 

Streetbu

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Well since I bought 275/35/18 for all four corners I'm hoping they'll fit LOL I'm not using drop spindles though. Blazer spindles here. I worked on getting the new body bolts in and the body aligned tonight on the new frame. Hopefully be at point for the tires and wheels in a month or so...
 

1983calais

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Feb 26, 2015
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Well since I bought 275/35/18 for all four corners I'm hoping they'll fit LOL I'm not using drop spindles though. Blazer spindles here. I worked on getting the new body bolts in and the body aligned tonight on the new frame. Hopefully be at point for the tires and wheels in a month or so...
That's what I have on the Monte Carlo and have no issues what so ever. I have blazer spindles as well. I went with a 4.75 backspace and Mickey Thompson sportsmans. No rubbing and look great! Good luck!
 
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Wraith

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I know it can be done, but you'll need to roll the fender lip flat and completely rework the inner fender. Tall ball joints will help to lessen the wheel rub. The Offset requirements front to back are off by 1" to 1.5" to run a 9" rim, especially if you go with big brakes, so you can run 1" to 1.5" wheel adapters in back and run the same size wheels all around

Dammit, I kind of knew this is where it might lead and I'm trying to avoid building custom inner fenders. I am using drop spindles and tall ball joints, haven't ordered suspension yet, I'm waiting to set up ride height and buy from there.

Well since I bought 275/35/18 for all four corners I'm hoping they'll fit LOL I'm not using drop spindles though. Blazer spindles here. I worked on getting the new body bolts in and the body aligned tonight on the new frame. Hopefully be at point for the tires and wheels in a month or so...

Probably will work fine if it's on a 9" wheel and not aggressively lowered.

That's what I have on the Monte Carlo and have no issues what so ever. I have blazer spindles as well. I went with a 4.75 backspace and Mickey Thompson sportsmans. No rubbing and look great! Good luck!

They seem to fit fine on Monte's, Cutlass, Regal, anything other than a Malibu but that's just my internet research.


I may just have to suck it up and run a staggered fitment, not the end of the world and goes with the rendering I'm working from but......

image.png
 
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Rktpwrd

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I may just have to suck it up and run a staggered fitment, not the end of the world and goes with the rendering I'm working from

You’re working from a rendering brother?
I’d love to see it as I’m sure the others would...
Post it up!!
 
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superbon54

G-Body Guru
Apr 15, 2014
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26BF9857-95C6-4882-87C4-56CF092237E0.jpeg

These are 275/40/17 on 17x9.5 with 5 3/8” backspacing on my Malibu. 1” drop spindles and 1” drop springs. All mechanicals clear the wheels fine but the inner fenders may require some “customization” to avoid rubbing the tire. The same offset wheels could be used on the rear with 1 or 1.25” spacers.
 
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Wraith

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You’re working from a rendering brother?
I’d love to see it as I’m sure the others would...
Post it up!!

Well I would BUT it is "borrowed" from someone that had it commissioned and hasn't chose it yet(although down several years ago). I should probably have the originator do one for me to officially steal the idea but I had planned to steal it buy introducing it after paint.

View attachment 88624
These are 275/40/17 on 17x9.5 with 5 3/8” backspacing on my Malibu. 1” drop spindles and 1” drop springs. All mechanicals clear the wheels fine but the inner fenders may require some “customization” to avoid rubbing the tire. The same offset wheels could be used on the rear with 1 or 1.25” spacers.

Damn that looks good. I may have to grab a tire and throw my mock up wheel on to see how custom I have to get. Thanks!
 
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superbon54

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Apr 15, 2014
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Thanks Wraith. Because of the shape of the fender, you can’t go out too far from stock without surgery. With a large enough diameter wheel to clear the UBJ and steering arm, you can go in quite a ways though. I kicked around a 295 tire on a 10” rim with 6” BS, but didn’t want to push it too far and end up with a junk set of wheels or a car that requires a 4 point turn to pull in a parking spot.
 
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