71 chevelle 5.25" back spacing 18x8.5 front wheel

[Kouba71]

Hello! I'm about to buy some 18x18.5 front and 18x9.5 rear wheels for my 71 chevelle. They only come with a 5.25 back spacing and I want to lower it 2 in the front and 3 in the rear. I've read a bunch of threads on this and most are saying 5.5 bs. I need some help, would the 5.25 fit without rubbing? I'm probably going to go with 275/35 front and 295 or 305/45 in the rear.

[dug]

I would like to know this too as I have a 70 and am looking at the same size tires. subscribing in case someone knows...

[hotrodalex]

I'm running 18x8.5 front and 18x9.5 rear. The front only has 4.5" BS. It used to rub on larger bumps, but with 550# springs and adjusting the ride height a bit (around a 2" drop) it no longer rubs. 5.25" shouldn't cause any issues.

[chevelletiger]

Heres mine with a 18x9 5.25 b.s. 275-35-18 kdws.i have not rolled the fender lips,there was small rubbing on the inner fender when it went thru the street dip in the middle at
Full lock,coil overs are set really low too but once i set the ride height i will be fine,rolling the inner fender well does need to be done.

[hotrodalex]

Heres mine with a 18x9 5.25 b.s. 275-35-18 kdws.i have not rolled the fender lips,there was small rubbing on the inner fender when it went thru the street dip in the middle at
Full lock,coil overs are set really low too but once i set the ride height i will be fine,rolling the inner fender well does need to be done.

I should have mentioned that I rolled my fender wells. I'm also running -1.5 camber and a tall upper ball joint for better camber gain (and keep the tires away from the fender on bumps)

[71beast]

I've got 18x8 4.5" backspacing on the 255x45 front of my 71, and 18x9.5 5" backspacing 285x40 boss 338's on my car. My suspension has had the full sc&c treatment and no issues with rubbing. I rolled my rear fender lips just of be on the safe side and I still have probably about 1" of clearance still. The fronts rubbed at the top of the inner fender when I first Installed them because my front as too low and I had to install the shims for the spc lowers, without them I think my front was lowered 4". After the raise, which was about 1.5-2" it s all good and perfect.

also, I think 275's are way too big for an 8.5" rim, and 295-305 would be too big for a 9.5" rim. You'll haven too much tire budge and it will difeet the purpose of having wide tires. They'll just fold over themselves on turns and not sit properly on the rim. Just my 2cents.

[chevelletiger]

Btw,rears are 18x10 6.125 bs. 305-35-18 tire