How wide can I go?

I have a 91 OCC, and I've been looking to replace the rims/tires with some aftermarket. Just one question though. I think it applies to all the earlier bubble wagons, but with the body kinda overhanging the rear wheels, how wide of wheel/tire can i go back there? What kind of backspacing? It feels like there isnt much room as it is, and i've only got stock wheels and tires now. I'd like to get some kind of black cragar wheels, preferably 16x8's.

Any input would be appreciated, thanks

Well lots of options depending on backspacing. Impala SS wheels work and they're 17x8.5. The wheels in my avatar/signature are also 17x8.5

User toomanytoyz (AKA Crovo the Car Slut) runs 18x9.5.


Also - consider getting 17" wheels over 16". Tires will be cheaper.

On my 92 and 95 Caprice Wagons I have run the Impala SS wheels and they are 17 X 8.5 and I think they have a 4.5 or 5.0 Inch back spacing ..

I have run the KUHMO ASX in a P255/50ZR15 and the BFG KDWS 255/50ZR17

I have seen the Chevy 9C1 15 X 7 wheels with a P255/60R15 tire.

On my 92 wagon I had a set of the Caprice GTZ wheels and on the rear I had a P255/70SR15
and on the front P235/70SR15 BFG TA Radial's

If you go to a Discount Tire store they can hook you up with some nice wheels and tires.
My car club has a good relationship with one of the managers here in the Chicago area.

Good Luck..

I use 285/40ZR18 tires in the back.

I have 295/35/18's out back right now on a 9.5" rims with 5.5" bs. But I also have an impala disc rear and 20mm spacers. I had those rims on the stock rear end with 275/40's with plenty of room all around.

So lets say i get a set of 16x8 Cragar Soft 8's with 4 inch backspacing, 225/70/15 tires. Would they fit?

You will have more than enough room for those.

Some members say that 8" wide Soft 8 wheels rub in the back with 4" BS.

YMMV.

I dont know exactly how backspacing is measured. Would i need lets say, a 3.50 backspace for them to fit, or 3.75, or more than 4? Like 4.50 or 5?

4.5 or more BS on the cragers would be better. I have a set of 15x8 with 4 in back space and they rub one the rear when cornering hard.

For whatever reason the rearend is NOT centered on the car and is slightly skewed to the pass side. I had these rims on three of my wagons and bought them off of another wagon owner. He rolled the lip on the wheel skirt to creat more space.

they fit but were tiiiiiight on the Pass side.


Driver's side

oh and there is a TON of room behind them.

That is of course with 255's. He said he wants to use 225/70s, which I think is a bit narrow for 8" wide wheels but.....

Is it too narrow? I had no idea, I appreciate that. What would be a good tire width?

I am pretty sure that a 15 inch tire wont fit a 16 inch rim but maybe I forget something about mounting tires!

-_-

-_-,meaning please?

It was a joke, like a "im an idiot" face.

didn't realize I put a 15 on the tire size

Just razin the new guy,we always have fun but we wont let you go wrong deliberately!

Lol thanks. So I found a set of 16x8 soft 8's with a 5 inch backspace. I'm assuming from what you guys are saying that those would fit pretty good. Now what would be an appropriate tire size?

Dont really know whats available in 16 inch but go to the Tire Rack site and it gives you all the
dimensions for every tire they sell.Correction about the dimensions,whats posted is from the
manufacture and is usually fairly complete.

Ok, may toss the idea for 16's.

Found a good deal on some 15x8 soft 8's with 5 inch backspacing.
Would those be ok all around? What size tire?

anyone?

it depends on if you want a white wall tire or a white letter tire. 255/60r15's would be really nice on all four corners but they are hard to find. a 235/70r15 would also look great.

275/55/15 then drop it a tad....