69 Firebird wheel questions

[bjoeaull]

Hello, first post, looking forward to learning a lot here! I have a 69 Firebird that I want to put wheels on in the near future. Its basically stock except for Ridetech coilovers front and rear, dropping it roughly 2 inches. I'm trying to figure out what size wheels and tires I can get away with and not have to worry about rubbing. I am thinking 17's front and 18's rear. I would love to go as wide as I can in rear safely. Hopefully a 9 or 10". But I am not great with widths and offsets so I am looking for help here. Also what tire size would fit the rim size once determined. Thanks in advance for the help.

[bjoeaull]

Considering the Billet Specialties Dagger G in gray with polished lip, but not 100% set on it thus far.
heres a link
http://www.billetspecialties.com/wheels/legends-series/legendsseries/dagger-g/

[mikewoods]

I can't speak to the questions on offsets or backspacing. A 275 series tire in the rear and 245 series tire in the front seems to be the consensus with stock steering components and no tubs in the rear. Be sure to post some pictures when you've made your decision!

[bjoeaull]

I can't speak to the questions on offsets or backspacing. A 275 series tire in the rear and 245 series tire in the front seems to be the consensus with stock steering components and no tubs in the rear. Be sure to post some pictures when you've made your decision!

ok, great thanks for that. I plan to one day add the tru turn from ridetech but not sure when. I live in the same town that ridetech is based in. I know quite a few people there. They do a lot of Camaros, but wasn't sure if firebirds had same rears and what nots.

[green 69]

I would go 18" all the way around. I just ordered wheels and tires for my 1969 Camaro redo. I went with 18x8 4 7/8" backspace in the front with a 235/40/18 tire and 18x9 5 1/2" backspace in the rear with a 275/40/18 tire. It will have Hotchkis TVS Stage 2 with 3"drop with Baer Brakes. I think this is a pretty good setup for a lowered non tubbed car. I might have went a little conservative on the sizes but I did not want to modify the body at all.

Brian

[bjoeaull]

I would go 18" all the way around. I just ordered wheels and tires for my 1969 Camaro redo. I went with 18x8 4 7/8" backspace in the front with a 235/40/18 tire and 18x9 5 1/2" backspace in the rear with a 275/40/18 tire. It will have Hotchkis TVS Stage 2 with 3"drop with Baer Brakes. I think this is a pretty good setup for a lowered non tubbed car. I might have went a little conservative on the sizes but I did not want to modify the body at all.

Brian

Thanks for that info. Do you know for sure that Camaros and Firebirds would have the same setup. I would want to think so but hate to assume. By the way, what wheels did you go with?

[MrQuick]

yep pretty close. If you can get a 9" wheel you can do a 5.25 back space up front

[bjoeaull]

yep pretty close. If you can get a 9" wheel you can do a 5.25 back space up front

great thanks for that! I am more interested in a wide rear, the front isn't as big a concern.

[bjoeaull]

I'm having a hell of a time picking a rim style. I like the classic design look with a modern size twist. Heres some styles I'm liking thus far, plus a quick pic of my car, sorry its the only one I have with the new suspension. I like them all, a little disappointed the AR500 is just 17's max. And I cant decide if I think its ok to put Camaro Rally style wheels on a firebird. Thoughts are appreciated! Thanks

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2013/08/IMG_2128_zps4dc16e35-1.jpg (http://s1182.photobucket.com/user/bjoeaull/media/IMG_2128_zps4dc16e35.jpg.html)

Dagger G in grey 18's
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2013/08/L92_DaggerG_zpse9339df3-1.png (http://s1182.photobucket.com/user/bjoeaull/media/L92_Dagger-G_zpse9339df3.png.html)

American racing Rally 18's
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2013/08/cbVN3274_zps5e884894-1.png (http://s1182.photobucket.com/user/bjoeaull/media/cbVN3274_zps5e884894.png.html)

American Racing AR500 17's I believe are biggest size
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2013/08/cbVC5001_zpsf1715da2-1.png (http://s1182.photobucket.com/user/bjoeaull/media/cbVC5001_zpsf1715da2.png.html)

[green 69]

I don't know for sure but I would think it would be the same or very close. I ordered Rushforth "Fuel" wheels, polished hoops with smoked titanium spokes and BFG KDW2 tires.

Brian

[bjoeaull]

Those are gonna look sweet! I'm guessing probably out of my range of wheel budget from the looks of them. I don't want to hit the $2k mark on rims. But I dig the smoked look.

[green 69]

Yeah I thought about it for a long time, I really like the look also.

Brian

[bjoeaull]

I'm thinking about either the Billet specialties Dagger G in grey, or American Racing VN500 or AR500(not sure if theres a difference), or possibly the American racing Rally rim.
The VN500 only goes to 17, so thats a negative.
The AR Rally not sure if I think it would be fitting on a firebird since its based on the camaro rally style.
I really dig the look of the Dagger G in grey/ polished.
Those are my current pics, any thoughts would be appreciated from anyone!

[bjoeaull]

Heres my Firebird
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2013/08/IMG_2125_zps3a695c7d-1.jpg (http://s1182.photobucket.com/user/bjoeaull/media/IMG_2125_zps3a695c7d.jpg.html)

[bjoeaull]

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2013/08/IMG_2125_zps3a695c7d-1.jpg

[green 69]

I like the gray/polished Dagger G a lot. Billet Specialties makes a great wheel.

Brian

[bjoeaull]

So the local wheel and tire place here in town suggested 17x7 front and 18x8 in rear with 0 backspacing. Said that 18x9 might be possible but they couldn't promise they'd fit. Not sure what to go with since you had a different offset suggestion green 69. Any thoughts

[Dantigan]

On my 1969 firebird I was running 18x8 with 4.5 bs in front and 18x9 with 5.25 bs in rear. All stock suspension except tubular a-arms. No rubbing with that set up.

I am tubbing my rear and going to upgrade to 18x12 rear maybe 8.25 bs (need to check fitment). Then going to try and fit my 18x9s in the front. I have my front fenders off ATM so I can't check for rubbing yet will let you know when I do.

[bjoeaull]

on your original setup did it look like rear was sticking out past fender, since mine sits lower. when they said offset at wheel place is that same as backspacing?

[Dantigan]

81257

This photo is from before I tore my car down to bare frame with the wheels I gave you dimensions on. Yours definately sits better than mine did, but my rear wheels were tucked up nice and didnt have any issues with rubbing. My frontend rode way too high with the stock springs. I am switching over to a chicane and coilover set up so I will be dropping it down. But even through the entire wheel travel the front end never rubbed.

Backspace and offset are different, but both are meant to determine wheel positioning, just measured differently kinda like standard and metric. Backspace is measured from the wheel mount surface to the inside edge of the rim (standard). Offset from the way I understand it is a measurement in reference to the centerline of the wheel (metric). Both will essentially assist you in finding proper wheel depth, backspacing is just easier for me to relate to.

[bjoeaull]

awesome, thats great to hear! I like the idea of 9's in the back, might try it. I appreciate you chiming in.

[bjoeaull]

I see that on the rear the suggestions were 18x9 backspacing of 5.5 BS or 5.25BS
Then front suggestions were 17x8 with 4.5 BS or 4 7/8 BS
Which would be the safest Backspaces to choose? Think I bout got it, lol!

Really leaning towards these
Billet Specialties Dagger G
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2013/08/L92_DaggerG_zpse9339df3-1.png[/URL]

[Dantigan]

5.25 in back was pretty close to the stock shock location. It is really the limiting factor on backspace on rear. I have already removed my stock suspension or I would measure it for you. No clue the clearance on the 5.5

[bjoeaull]

ok, so I think I may order the Dagger G now, been trying to decide what I want. but anyways heres the sizes I think I will order. PLEASE chime in if you think they wont work on my 69 Firebird lowered on Ridetech coilovers.

18x8 BS 5
18x10 BS 6

[bjoeaull]

maybe a little high on the BS
front 18x8 BS 4.75
Rear 18x10 BS 5.75
Would that look better?

[bjoeaull]

Tires I'm thinking
235/40/18
275/35/18

For now anyways

[First Bird]

I just ordered wheels for my 1968 Firebird. I used a Percy's Wheelrite (now owned by Taylor) to maximize wheel width and minimize wheel rub. Before getting the tool I got advice from people about what width and backspacing to get. After actually measuring I found that some advice was wrong. Some advice couldn't take into account my mods: 10-bolt rear from a 1973 Nova, 4-wheel disc conversion, rolled fenders. Other advisors would have been too conservative: turns out I could fit 8.5/10" when some said 8/9.5" would be the biggest. And some knew specs for Camaros which may or may not be right for your Firebird. Not until you ACTUALLY measure will you know exactly what's best for your car. If you do decide to measure, be sure to measure all four wells and not just one side. Wheel fit can vary from side to side.
Good luck. FWIW I ended up with 18x8.5 at 5"bs and 18x10 at 5.5"bs.