schmidtd

Just picked up a 65 midyear and am thinking of adding a set of aftermarket wheels. What can I run for size? What is the backspacing that I will need? Would like to run a set of 17 or 18 wheels if possible.
Are a set of offset trailing arms needed and if so, at what width do they come into play?

Land Shark 64

Went through the same issue as well. Check out my blog post about it.

70mph@2200rpm

I too just added new 17x7 wheels with 225 55-17's, but had to move the E brake cable and bracket from the sides of the t/a's to the tops of the regular trailing arms (cut and weld) , as another forum member had done (I believe off-set t/a's have the E brackets mounted on top). I have a 4 3/4" backspace, so there's enough space at the fender lips, however, the front tires now slightly rub the sway bar, on a tight turn.
The only consideration with using the off-set t/a's is that although you'll have more space for an 8" wheel, it'll have to come from increasing the back spacing, about 5 3/4". From my experience, you won't have enough room up front for the 8" wheel.

Plankton

Just an FYI for ya -

I have stock trailing arms and am running 17x7 Rocket Booster (chromed aluminum) wheels with stock tailing arms and stock brake mount...

17x7 with 4.25 BS
225/50-17 Front
235/50-17 Rear
8" lowering bolts in rear
1 full coil cut from front springs

No body contact, no rubbing...

I have some pics in my profile...

Good luck,
Billy

TOM WILLARD

I have 5.25 backspace all the way around. Fit is perfect but I dont have a sway bar. Not sure if it would fit or not on front. I have offset trailing arms in the rear from vett parts and brakes. They are very nice and there service was awsome.[IMG][/IMG]

70mph@2200rpm

Billy,
Do you have the stock 1/2" fender lips?

So according to Billy, he did not need to move his E brake lines because his wheel has 1/2" less backspacing than mine. Still, I don't have much room at all between the rear tire and the 1/2" fender lip, 1/4"+, so I was not willing to take a chance on less backspacing.

Plankton

Hi,

Yes, my car has 1/2" fender lips. The outer sidewalls on the 235 tires in the rear look like they should hit the fenders but they don't. There isn't a mark on my tires and I've driven over 1000 miles like this. It's as close as you can get without touching.

Billy

RJ1

I have 17x7 with 4 inch back spacing. Tires are 225/50 front 235/50 rears and car lowered 2 inches so tires are tucked under stock fenders lips. No rubbing or touching. Has off set TA's from Van Steel.

70mph@2200rpm

Billy,
How much did your car drop from cutting the springs 1 coil? which springs are they?

Billy and RJ1,
Do you know the height from floor to lips on the fenders?
Currently, my fronts are 25 3/4", rears are 25 1/2", with 8" bolts. I'd like to drop the front some.
Thanks

MiguelsC2

Same for me. No sway bar rubbing or clearance issues on mine.

70mph@2200rpm

It's probably my 4 3/4" backspacing.

Miguel, what is your backspace?

MiguelsC2

That's right mine are 4 inch.

70mph@2200rpm

Yep, maybe I can try a 1/4" shim.
Thanks

MiguelsC2

That should be just about right. I wish I had 1/4-1/2 inch more on the rear for a little better profile and fender clearance. Mine don't rub but they are close.

70mph@2200rpm

Actually, I was referring to the front wheels, as they do slightly rub when turning sharply.

MiguelsC2

4 inch is great up front. Very little turning radius loss. I tend to polish one frame rivet on a full left lock.

Funny how a 1/4 here and there makes a big difference.

RJ1

70 MPH
my front fender lip to ground is 24 1/2 and back is 25 1/2

70mph@2200rpm

I'd also like to approach that 1" difference between front and rear.
Did you do anything to the front to achieve the 24.5" height?

RJ1

70 MPH the front end has Van Steel tubular a-arms with adjustable QA 1 coil overs. In rear the leaf spring was replaced with QA 1 adjustables also. Wanted a slight front end rake.

70mph@2200rpm

That is a nice rake. Do you like how the coil overs feel? Is the ride a bit "hard"?