Wheels - 17x8 with 4.5" Backspace?

[erikj17]

Hey Guys -

I've looked over the "wheel fitment" thread and have not found anything documented for dimensions of what will fit. I'm not interested in putting 20s on my car or lowering the car, or anything like that. I'm running stock suspension with a stock rear end.

I've read everywhere that 16x8 wheels with a 4" backspace fit fine with 245/50 rubber. This is 25.6" diameter wheel+tire and 9.65" overall tire width (stock is 26" diameter and 8.46" overall tire width on 15x7 rims and 215/65 tires).

I've got an 85 Monte SS. What I want are the Cragar Soft 8 black steel wheels in either combo:
17x8 (4.5" BS) on 245/50 tires. This is a 26.6" wheel+tire diameter, 9.65" overall tire width.
or
less desirable, the 16x8 (5" BS) on 245/50 tires.

Anybody know if the 4.5" BS will be fine on the 17s? This would be the exact same tire width as the 16x8 with 245/50 tires everyone says is fine, with an extra 0.5" BS, pulling the tire in towards the car 0.5". The 16x8 with 5" BS would go a full inch in towards the car.

Like I said, I haven't seen a good definition of what is possible. I assume someone has measurements out there somewhere... just not sure where.

Thanks.

 

[SafariWagon]

I would guess they will NOT fit. I am running 17X9 with 4 1/2 B.S. but I have a 9" Ford rear that was made to fit these wheels. It's 1 3/4 inches WIDER than stock.

 

[mkiiisupra]

Erik, they will fit fine. I have 17x8 4.5" backspaced Coy's C5 wheels on my Regal on all four corners. 235/45 and 255/45 tires. The only issue I have with your setup is the 50 series tires. In the rear these would be just fine, but in the front you will get tire rub with any kind of lowering. I suggest a 40 series tire up front as my 45 series tires rub the extreme outside edge with a 3 inch drop in the front. No clearance issues at all in the rear with a 50 series though, unless you lower the hell out of the rear. My build thread will show pics I believe, its in my signature.

 

[FE3X CLONE]

I agree, the 4.5" should work. Although I prefer a 4" BS on an 8" wheel in the back so that it doesn't look tucked in too much.

 

[kingcolbert83]

Yes it will fit. Use this calculator to get a better idea if they will fit. I have determined a tire combo for my 20" up front that is exactly as my current 14" rally wheel. The front have a positive 30 offset which I have already worked in to compensate. It say it is closer to suspension parts but I am not worried about that small amount. My current tires rub the sway bar at full lock but the 20" tires have a smaller sidewall so it shouldnt be a problem. I might even run the 225/35/20 so I can get a little shorter tire and drop it some more without too much rubbing.


http://www.rimsntires.com/rt_specs.jsp? ... t1=&text2=

 

[erikj17]

Erik, they will fit fine. I have 17x8 4.5" backspaced Coy's C5 wheels on my Regal on all four corners. 235/45 and 255/45 tires. The only issue I have with your setup is the 50 series tires. In the rear these would be just fine, but in the front you will get tire rub with any kind of lowering. I suggest a 40 series tire up front as my 45 series tires rub the extreme outside edge with a 3 inch drop in the front. No clearance issues at all in the rear with a 50 series though, unless you lower the hell out of the rear. My build thread will show pics I believe, its in my signature.

Uhhh... you've just made my day. #1, you tell me the wheels I want will work fine. #2, you led me to a post with your car. That is the exact look I want. I love the flat black paint you've got and it looks great with the black wheels. The time you spent compiling your post is extremely helpful. Thank you.

What exactly did you do to lower your car? Can you tell me what you put in for that? I assume the 50s would be fine without a drop, but right now my car seems to sit a little higher in front than in the rear. I might redo everything there. Spent all last summer doing everything mechanical then turned my attention to the interior. This summer is suspension and wheels. Woo!

Again, thanks for the response - it was awesome.

 

[78MC-BBC]

On my 78 for the rears i am running a set of 17x9.5 American Racing rims with 275-40-17 nitto tires with a 5.0" backspace and they fit perfectly.

 

[mkiiisupra]

Hey Erik, thanks for the comments. My car has the following suspension components installed:

KYB gr2 shocks front and rear
Ground Force 2" drop spindles
Eibach Pro Kit Lowering springs front and rear
UMI Rear upper and Rear lower tubular control arms
Spohn Performance Front and Rear chrome moly sway bars

Hope this helps you out, it comes out to a 3" drop in the front and about 1.5" in the rear.