Hey guys, just looking for a little info. Can I put on larger wheels (17inch plus) on a 69 with drum brakes? Or will i have to do a disc break conversion? Sorry if its a dumb question. Im a newbie.

Thanks

No problem... Pick a wheel that doesn't have a lot of open area in the center and the drums will not show too bad...

You should have no size issues because of the drums. And since you are likely moving away from steel wheels, the net effect on un-sprung weight should be negligible. If you are contemplating a brake upgrade, you might want to do it first. The change may alter your required wheel sizing (specifically back spacing).

But I think all this +2, +3 and greater plus sizing in the recent years is having a negative effect on safety. Here is an article on the impact of larger ties on SUVs that is very interesting. On our Camaros, especially the light 1st gens, this is less of an issue. But adding even 5 feet to the braking distance from 60 mph can be all the difference in the world. I think this is good FYI reading.

http://www.mtdealer.com/t_inside.cfm?action=performancehb_det&storyID=1201

But I am a freak. I think stopping is just as, if not more, important, than going.

hmm, sounds good, thanks for the info!

btw, anyone have pictures of plus size wheels with drum brakes?

thanks

on one episode of Monster Garage, Jesse was showing off the new bigger brakes they were putting on their project tahoe or whatever- 14" rotors and 6 piston Brembo calipers, if i remember correctly- he said that anyone who puts on bigger wheels without also putting on bigger brakes is an idiot just asking for an accident.
plus, 18" wheels with a stock 9" drum in the middle just looks silly.

A plus size wheel doesn't mean you are going to end up with a taller tire than you started with, a 235/60/15 is 26" tall, so is a 255/45/17. Also a 14" or 15" steel wheel and a 60 or 70 series tire is going to be heaver than a 17" budnik with 40 or 45 series rubber on it. The added unsprung weight in the suv article is comparing stock 16" alum wheels and tires off a new suv to 20" and larger bling wheels and tires...

Don't take that wrong, good brakes are more important than the go fast stuff any day. The warnings given here are valid concerns but keeping things in perspective, if someone is going to drive around with drum brakes and 15x8 rallys with 235/60's up front and 255/60's in the back it's no difference than throwing on some 17x8 alum wheels with 40 or 45 series tires on them...

Right, I assume when the term ‘plus sizing’ is used, the overall height is the same. That is what I know it to mean. And agreed, like I said, in this app, the change in un-sprung is likely negligible and there should be no issue.

But don’t assume the aluminum wheel is lighter than steel in all cases. Not true. They are not all drag lites and centerlines.