Can I put wider rear wheels on my stock 1966 convertible?

[Rehale5711]

I am reassembling a 1966 T-bird that is stock. I'd like to put on wider wheels in the rear. Maybe 17", Can I go larger than the 16s without modifications? What have people done with what size tire? Thank you

[Herb66]

Probably not if u have skirts

[Rehale5711]

Thanks for the reply. If I opt not to put the skirts on, would I be able to? Not sure which way to go.. I do tend to keep things stock but ...

[bbogue]

On my 61, in order to use slightly wider tires than the 215/75’s on 14” rims that it came to me with, I was able to use 7” wide X 15” diameter wheels. They have a 4 1/4” backspace. I found that sufficient backspace is critical to fitting larger wheels and tires. Much measuring and figuring was required. I’m using 225/70 tires and their diameter is very close to the original bias ply tires. I can just get a finger between the tires and skirts. A stiffer than stock suspension helps prevent rubbing when cornering.
Summit Racing’s generous return policy allowed me to purchase a couple of wheels of slightly different dimensions, trial fit them (without tires), then purchase the best fitting set of wheels, returning the unused one. Something to keep in mind is that the tire will be wider than the wheel. Good luck.

Bill

[scumdog]

I fitted 7" X 15" alloy wheels with 215/75/15 radials on my '66 with no rubbing issues - even with four on board and the trunk full of luggage.

Not the widest wheel I know but (a) not that big of choice of wheels in NZ that clear the front calipers and (b) I could use the tyres I had on the stock rims.!

PS: I still run skirts.

[jtschug]

I have 18x7 wheels all the way around on my convertible with skirts on the back. If I wanted to go wider on the rear I'm sure I could get 8" wide back there if I increased the backspace by an inch

[Alan H. Tast]

The trick is in the distance (backspace) from mounting face of the rim/drum to the inside edge of the rim, and the offset (distance from center of wheel to mounting face of wheel/drum); the distance from the mounting face of the rim/drum to the outside edge of the rim (subtract the backspace distance from the overall rim width) is also critical, as is distance from the the face of the rim and tire to the rear spring, inner wheelhouse and outer wheelhouse/wheel well lip.

The comments in previous posts are somewhat worthless unless we know what the distances for backspace, offset and overall width are for comparison, not to mention the overall width of the rear axle assembly from face of drum to face of drum and distance from face of drum to inner lip of the wheel well. And, don't forget you'll also need to know the overall width/aspect ratio of the tire in a loaded, fully-inflated condition.

See these posts for original specifications on rims:
https://www.vintagethunderbirdclub.net/ ... ons#p70043
https://www.vintagethunderbirdclub.net/ ... ns#p107806

And see this post requesting dimensions for wheelhouses (front and rear), along with rear axle widths.
https://www.vintagethunderbirdclub.net/ ... dth#p53045

[Hasl3r]

I fitted 7" X 15" alloy wheels with 215/75/15 radials on my '66 with no rubbing issues - even with four on board and the trunk full of luggage.

Not the widest wheel I know but (a) not that big of choice of wheels in NZ that clear the front calipers and (b) I could use the tyres I had on the stock rims.!

PS: I still run skirts.
I have a sneaky suspicion my 63 was in same spot at your 66 earlier in week. I'm guessing your name starts with a "T"???? Not that many TBirds in NZ and even less with owners nickname "Scumdog"
John

[stubbie]

According to someone on Facebook
Ridler 675 wheels 17" x 8" they have 0 offset which on an 8 " rim gives you 4.5" backspacing.
I order Riken Raptor ZR A/S tires fronts are 235/55/17 which according to tiresize.com are 27.2" tall 9.3" wide. The rears are 255/50/17 - 27" tall 10" wide.

[dgalietti]

I just put on 18x8 front and 18x9 rear torque thrust m wheels.

I didnt mount the tires yet. I was checking to make sure there were no issues first. The fronts fit perfectly with no spacers and dont rub on anything. I checked the steering lock to lock. And they do not come close to the control arms or calipers.

The rears also fot perfectly. I am not planning on using skirts, but I dont believe they would fit with the skirts. There is plenty of clearance though. There is a spacer in the rear, although I believe they would still work fine without it. It looks like about a 3/4" spacer. I didnt even know they were there.

[jtschug]

On the front rubbing usually happens with tires, not wheels. Specifically I've had problems with the tire rubbing on the steering gear frame bolt head when turning to the left. Also I get a very close clearance to the wheel opening on the passenger side.

[dgalietti]

I will keep an eye out when I install the tires. What size wheel and tire did you end up going with?

[Alan H. Tast]

And for our edification PLEASE state what your rim/tire sizes and backspacing ended up being. Threads like these are worthless when people don't follow up and provide info on what works (or doesn't).

[dgalietti]

I will definitely update with results and specifics when I mount the tires. I was thinking of going with a 235/45r18 but I might go with a 225 if it is going to rub.

[mitch0537]

I have 235/50-17's on my '65 landau. No problems with the skirts but there was minor rubbing on the snubbers so I took them off. I also have air shocks.