If your looking on the inside part of the rim my 14" wheels are about 1/2 inch away from the lower shock mount bolt with 4 1/4 backspacing. If I went with 17's would the shock mount be on the inner edge of the rim? I'm going with 17x9 with 5" backspace. Any pictures? Just wanted to make sure they wouldn't hit.

i have wheel vintiques steel rallys, 17x9 with 5" backspace and they fit fine. with only a 9" wheel width, i would have perferred a 5 1/4" or 5 1/2" backspace, as i had to roll the fender lip to prevent contact on the outside. you should have no problems with the shocks inside.

i have wheel vintiques steel rallys, 17x9 with 5" backspace and they fit fine. with only a 9" wheel width, i would have perferred a 5 1/4" or 5 1/2" backspace, as i had to roll the fender lip to prevent contact on the outside. you should have no problems with the shocks inside.

What size tire do you have?

When I did my measurements from the mounting surface to the inner well I got 6 1/4" , and from the mounting surface to the beginning edge of the fender lip(inner edge) I got 5". So I figured with a 9" rim and 5 inches of backspacing that would give me 5 inches in (1 1/4 to spare ) and 4 inches out (1 inch to spare). Was this close to your measurements?

With 17's, the lower shock mount will tuck nicely completely inside the rim.

Thanks Jim. I have another question.. What size rim do I have? I measured my 14 inch rims and I'm not sure if its correct. It's a sad picture. Can you make it out?

Current tire 235/60/14 with 2 inch drop and it doesn't rub.

If this is correct? If so wouldn't I be able to use a 17x7 with 3 3/4 backspace and a 225/45 tire? The reason I'm asking is Newstalgia Wheel said it wouldn't work. Whats your take? I could only get a 17x7 in a 3 3/4 backspace or a 8 in a 4 1/2 backspace.

I "think" your drawing is an 8" rim with 4 1/2" of backspace, just with some measuring wierdness.

An 8" rim with 4 1/2" backspace is "normal" on a 68, it's what I run and everything clears fine.

a 225/45 tires is a tiny lil thing tho, relatively narrow and very short. I run a 255/45 in back and they clear fine. The 17 x 7 - 3 3/4"bs should fit too.

I "think" your drawing is an 8" rim with 4 1/2" of backspace, just with some measuring wierdness.

An 8" rim with 4 1/2" backspace is "normal" on a 68, it's what I run and everything clears fine.

a 225/45 tires is a tiny lil thing tho, relatively narrow and very short. I run a 255/45 in back and they clear fine. The 17 x 7 - 3 3/4"bs should fit too.


I have the 235 on the front now. If I do have a 8" rim the 7" would bulge the 235 more. Using the calculator You posted I came up with.

235/60/14--(9.25" wide) and (25.10" tall) recommended wheel (6-8.5)
225/45/17--(8.85" wide) and (24.97" tall) recommended wheel (7-8.5)

I didn't think it was that far off.

I was going with 17x9 with 5" backspace and a 255/45/17 in the rear.
(10.03" wide) and (26.03" tall) recommended wheel (8-9.5)

a 255-45-17 is perectly happy on an 8" rim, think it would look funny on a 9.

And for some reason I thought we were taling about the front before.... oops.

On the front, I run a 225/50/16 on a 7" 3 7/8" bs wheel, no problem. Think I'd rather have a 4" bs than 3 3/4" tho.

What size tire do you have?

When I did my measurements from the mounting surface to the inner well I got 6 1/4" , and from the mounting surface to the beginning edge of the fender lip(inner edge) I got 5". So I figured with a 9" rim and 5 inches of backspacing that would give me 5 inches in (1 1/4 to spare ) and 4 inches out (1 inch to spare). Was this close to your measurements?

my measurements are the same. i have the 'standard' 275/40r17 with no problems.

my measurements are the same. i have the 'standard' 275/40r17 with no problems.

What size rim do you have and backspacing? Also what do you have on the front?

I really wanted the vintage V40 for the front but the 17x7 only comes in a 3 3/4 backspace.

The rear I was looking at 17x9 with 5 inch backspace. Jim thought the 255 would look lost. I would love to put a 275 on there, but I'm afraid of it rubbing. remember I have a 2 inch drop on the front and 1 1/2 in the rear.

Can you post some pics? I have a 68 also.

When I went to the strip last October, I had occasion to borrow some ET Streets. They were 275 on 15, on a 7" rim. Not sure unfortunately what the backspace was on the rims. They were original 79 second gen rims, and I'm guessing were zero offset (3 1/2" backspace.)

They were into the inside of the fenderwell slightly on one side only.

Later measuring showed the rear was offset in the car a 1/4", giving 1/2" more inside clearance on the left than on the right. If the rear was centered, they woulda cleared.