Thread: Wheel size help

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I am ready to get my wheels. I am building a 32 3 window coupe highboy. I would like to run a 16x8 with a 5 inch back spacing. I would run a 225/70/R16 tire. Would this combo work?

I don't intend to be critical here, but it would be impossible for anyone to answer your question accurately/correctly/realistically without having the vehicle in front of them. Custom built cars are each different and the actual components and their relationship dictate what works. All anyone can do remotely is guess what might work.

Info like this might help you more: https://www.rsracing.com/tech-wheel.html

Originally Posted by 32highboy54

I am ready to get my wheels. I am building a 32 3 window coupe highboy. I would like to run a 16x8 with a 5 inch back spacing. I would run a 225/70/R16 tire. Would this combo work?

Most high boys I have seen, including mine, run a rear tire that is between 29-31 inches in diameter. But like the previous poster stated, it depends on the individual vehicle. Check mine out on the link below. I run BFG P285-70R X15's. If I had to do it over, I think I would consider using 17's rather than 15's on the rear.

Lynn think i will replace my "hot wheels"" 33x18.5-15 with the p285/70r-15 nice look. What size do you have on front ?

Originally Posted by roadburn66

Lynn think i will replace my "hot wheels"" 33x18.5-15 with the p285/70r-15 nice look. What size do you have on front ?

You'll find out soon enough, but the p285/70R-15's are a discontinued size in the general market. The only place I found them (and bought them) was from Corey Coker - http://store.cokertire.com/catalogse...t/?q=285/70R15 Coker bought the molds from BFG, I believe. I have disc brakes on the back, plain Ford Explorer's, and I had to grind my calipers to clear the rim. Like Lynn, if I may switch to 16's or 17's sometime down the road, but I love the look of the 285's.

You'll find out soon enough, but the p285/70R-15's are a discontinued size in the general market.

Funny, You really start to feel your age, when you go to find 14" tires and the youngster behind the counter says " 14 inch " ? They only use that stuff on OLD TIMEY cars".

I originally had some fairly tall 15s on mine - that is until I decided to go rear discs. Now (and ~$900 later), I have 17's, 265-60x17 ( 29.1Dia) as the 15 inch Billet Specialties wheel would not clear the Wilwood calipers on their 12" rotor. The problem I found with 17s was the lack of good tire selection as many are LT rated and real stiff.

Originally Posted by 32highboy54

I am ready to get my wheels. I am building a 32 3 window coupe highboy. I would like to run a 16x8 with a 5 inch back spacing. I would run a 225/70/R16 tire. Would this combo work?

32highboy54,
Like Bob said at the start, there are simply too many variables on a custom build to help you select wheels/tires for what will "work" on your ride. Based on my rear differential width there's no way a 5" backspace wheel would work for me (mine are 3.5"BS and my sidewall to body clearance is only about 1.5"), but if your's is 2"-3" wider they may fit yours just fine. I looked back and found a scratch pad page I had filled with sketches showing the overall relationship of wheel backspace, tire section width, wheel width and body/axle flange dimension trying to find the "right" combination. I was driven by an overall relationship of wanting 29" to 31" tall tires in back, and 23" to 25" front (6" drop, back to front) and ended up with p285/70r15 (30" tall) back vs 145r15 F560's (24" tall) in front. I looked at hundreds of highboys at shows, concentrating on the stance and what looked "right" to me for wheel/sidewall/rake, and pulled tire details from on-line tire places like Tire Rack and Coker who have "shop by size". Then after I had what I liked I had to grind calipers to make them fit Oh well....
Good luck in your quest for the perfect combo for yours!!

Originally Posted by roadburn66

Lynn think i will replace my "hot wheels"" 33x18.5-15 with the p285/70r-15 nice look. What size do you have on front ?

The fronts are BFG P175 X 15's. rspears is correct about the rear tires. You can only get them from Coker Tires, and they are more expensive than the old BFG price. If something happens to one of mine, I will consider going to 17 inch rather than pay the Coker price. I think they cost around $185.00 each.

Originally Posted by rumrumm

The fronts are BFG P175 X 15's. rspears is correct about the rear tires. You can only get them from Coker Tires, and they are more expensive than the old BFG price. If something happens to one of mine, I will consider going to 17 inch rather than pay the Coker price. I think they cost around $185.00 each.

My rears were $170 each and fronts were $94 each, plus $72 shipping 9/09 $600 for the set at my door.

I'll add something else to think about regarding the BFG 285/70R-15 from Coker.

Three weeks ago, I called Summit to check availability on the wheels I've been wanting (the 15x10 rears have been on backorder for months) and was very surprised to hear they are available now. Before ordering, I followed that call with one to Coker to order the 285/70R-15 tires, surprised again, I was told they were out of the BFG Silvertown blackwalls (Roger is right, they are still $170 each + another $17-$25 each for shipping). I asked when they expected to have them back in stock and was shocked to hear it might be as late as next March!!! That could mean waiting 5 months for rear tires. This really got me thinking about going in a different direction for rear tires/wheels, I'm soooo glad I didn't order the wheels when I had Summit on the phone!!

BTW, if you are looking for BFG front tires to go with your BFG rear tires, check out your local Sam's Club or Costco, they have 165/70-14 thru 195/70-15 for about $58-$65 each, and no shipping.... These BFG Touring TA Pro series are made exclusively for Sam's and Costco.


Mike

rum rumm and rspears- what is your reasoning for wanting 17's in the rear? Does that mean you would keep 15's up front? I am leaning towards a 15/17" combo myself.

Just realized this is from June and the original poster never responded so I don't feel bad hijacking now

Originally Posted by 35fordcoupe

rum rumm and rspears- what is your reasoning for wanting 17's in the rear? Does that mean you would keep 15's up front? I am leaning towards a 15/17" combo myself.

Just realized this is from June and the original poster never responded so I don't feel bad hijacking now

For me it would be two things - more clearance for my calipers, in case I ever need to replace one and availability of tires at lower prices. If you check Tire Rack you will find several options for 30" - 31" big tires for 17" wheels, mostly light truck tires, but not all. Yes, I would likely keep the 15's on front.

I agree with what Roger said. In addition, IMO, the 17 inch wheel fills out the tire a little more and gives is a little more aesthetic look.

Thanks guys. Dave W. what is that 265-60x17 tire you have pictured? I can't quite read it. Do you like it? I can't fit a 265, but maybe it comes in 245/255 Thanks