Have a quick BS question

[JERMzSS]

Im sure I can find this by searching for a while but i really dont have the time this morning.

Will a 18x9.5 wheel with 5.031 inches of back spacing fit in the rear of my 84 MC?



I assume I will have to roll the fenders but im not sure if they will clear the frame.

Thanks!

 

[Blake442]

No.

5" is too much, unless you run a 1" thick adapter.

 

[jrm81bu]

There are some people that have gotten away with it, but the most i've ever been able to run is 4.5. 17x8 with 4.5bs is what i'm running currently.

 

[JERMzSS]

Thanks guys....might have to start thinking about a frame notch lol

 

[SumoBu]

I'm real curious about this too because i've heard a whole bunch of conflicting things about what fits. There's a guy on maliburacing that said he's running 18x9.5 with 5.5 inch bs, havent gotten him to answer about any other mods he has to accommodate this size though. heres the link to the post http://www.maliburacing.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=25&t=100277&start=0

 

[khan0165]

I'm real curious about this too because i've heard a whole bunch of conflicting things about what fits. There's a guy on maliburacing that said he's running 18x9.5 with 5.5 inch bs, havent gotten him to answer about any other mods
more than likely, he's running those on a 12bolt rear. That'll give you an extra inch on each side. He probably has a notch frame too. 5.5" is nuts...

conflicting reports are common. Build quality in these cars was inconsistant at best, and you'll hear lots of differing opinions. General rule (in my experience) anything from 4" to 4.5" is "comfortable". It starts to get iffy past 4.5", and in some cars, like mine, it's even iffy past 4". Past this, you need some modification, whether it be minor or major.

 

[JERMzSS]

I finally got to measure the rear of my car and im a little more confused now lol

6 inches from the wheel mounting surface on the brake drum to the frame rail.

A wheel with a hair over 5 inches of BS seams like a snug fit but is it to close? I am at stock height right now but I do plan on lowering the car very soon.

 

[khan0165]

yeah, those measurements confuse me too... I seemed to get a similar measurement, for when I put the wheel on, it's alot tighter than the measurements indicate.
You also need to consider the sidewall width of the tire. And you need to consider that the wheel tub is rounded at the top, so the edges of your tires might rub...

I learned a neat trick... Take a coat hanger, and bend it into the shape of the profile of a wheel and tire.
like this:

but include the radius of the wheel.

then hold it up against your hub, and rotate it around in the wheel tub to see if anything hits. Play with different profile widths to see how wide you can go.

 

[JERMzSS]

Thanks for the tip man, will def. do that.