Ok, I've been racking my brain for about a week now and I've done some measuring, but I still need some help. I have a 69 Camaro with the stock suspension (mono leaf) and a set of air shocks that gave me about 1 to 1 1/2 inch of extra room in the rear. I have 15x8 (4in. backspace) rally's for the rear and the 15x7 for the front. I just need to know what the largest tire is that will not rub. I did read some things on other sites, but I'm still a little confused. Most of them talk about 16" or 17" wheels and for some reason it's completely throwing me off. I want to try to keep the profile about the same front to rear but with the widest tire possible. I don't want to do any cutting on the rear quarters. I held a set of 265/50R15's up to the rear off of my dad's 69 C-10 but couldn't get a good look because of the bolt pattern. They looked a little wide though. If anyone is running this size wheel combination, please tell me what size tire. Next year I plan on changing the entire suspension and going to a 17" wheel, but I just need to get it on the road till then. Thanks!
www.geocities.com/frstgencamaro (http://www.geocities.com/frstgencamaro)

275-60-15 will work

TIM

On a 69 with a 4" backspace? I don't think so. A 255/60 is probably as big as you can get, and you might have trouble with that too. 4.5" backspace would give you more leeway.

Ken, thanks for the reply. I don't have the wheels on the car yet and I measured that backspacing myself. When I bought the car last year, those were the wheels that the guy had. I need to get tires on it this week just to get it on the road and get it inspected. The way that I measured it, I think that I should go with a 255/60/15 in the rear and a 235/60/15 up front, but I want to make sure before I mount some tires and can't return them. The wheels are the factory style rally, but they are not the originals. I measured 11 inches from the part of the closest part of the shock to the inside of the quarter lip. These are going to be temporary until I get the suspension changed and 17's next year, but I want it to look as good as possible until next year. If you think I'll be okay with this combo, please let me know. I don't want to waste a bunch of money on tires that won't work. Thanks again!

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www.geocities.com/frstgencamaro (http://www.geocities.com/frstgencamaro)

This is a set of 275/60/15's on my car with mono leaf and the coil helper springs on the shocks that have extensions on them. Its fits fine but I am not sure what the backspacing is on the rims. I can tell you that they are from a mid 70's monte carlo and I have a small spacer also. I believe that the spacer is 7/16 or 3/8. I also put these on untill I get 17's. I hope this helps and not confuse you more. That happens to me all the time. One person tells you one thing and then someone else tells you another. Anyway look at the pics. judge for yourself. Ryan

http://content.communities.msn.com/isapi/fetch.dll?action=get_album&ID_Community=NickandSadie&ID_Topic=1

I agree with Ken, the 255's will work for sure, better to be safe than sorry. KZ

Thanks for the help everybody. I'm going to order the 255's for the rear. Will a 235/60/15 work up front with the stock suspension? I don't know what anyone else is running up front or if there are rubbing problems when turning.

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www.geocities.com/frstgencamaro (http://www.geocities.com/frstgencamaro)

As long as your suspension is up to par, 235's will work fine, that's what I run on my 69. However, I redid the front-end with new shocks and BB coil springs, so it sits up alot higher than it did at first. 225's will fit for sure, 235's are borderline depending on your suspension, but if it's in good shape, it'll work fine.....KZ

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John D. Smith
69' SS/396 CLONE!
http://www.geocities.com/kz1000ltd/
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http://www.fototime.com/inv/65C66018BF43AB7</A>

im going thru a similar situation. i ordered 15x8 w/ 4-1/2 backspacing, for all 4 wheels.
i tried to put 235 up front and 245 out back. The 245's are perfect, but the 235's rubbed pretty bad on top of the tire when i took a turn to the left. They just didnt look right either. Im now waiting on my 15x7's to come in. I will try to use the 235/60, but if not i will go with 225's.
My springs are new, but my car is a conv. with a/c and does not sit up as high as a Z28 or BB car. This seems to make a big difference on what fits up front. The shop i brought it to is cool with changing the tires out, which is a big help. I really want to use the 235's up front. It should work, since on a 7" rim the backspace is still 4.5" and that would bring the outside edge of the tire in by 1/2".
Next is the trim ring dilemma. I think i can find a rounded edge trim ring for the 15x7's that will match a typical corvette style 15x8 in back.

Say, has anyone ever used the short style derby cap? Wheel Vintiques sell them and id sure like to see a picture of it on a wheel.

mike

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My '69 Camaro Convertible (http://www.geocities.com/TelevisionCity/Screen/1243/Camaro3-1.html)

[This message has been edited by mr69 (edited 05-24-2001).]

[This message has been edited by mr69 (edited 05-24-2001).]

I have hotchkis front and rear springs on my 69 which lowers the car ~2". I have rebuilt my frontend also. I run 235/60/15 on 15x7 with 4"bs. I have no rubbing at all and my car is 2" lower than stock. It did rub some when I had 15x8 on front. In the rear 255/60/15 will work perfect with car lowered or stock height.

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Jay
69 SS-350 4-speed
Hotchkis suspension

Thanks so much everybody. I've gotten the tire questions all sorted out and had them mounted and balanced last night. I went with the BFG T/A's 245 and 225/60/15. They fit perfect with the 4" backspace. Thanks again!!!

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www.geocities.com/frstgencamaro (http://www.geocities.com/frstgencamaro)

jaybird,
what did you use for trim rings?

I can't wait until you post some pics on your website! congrats.