Thoughts on This Setup

[WatchThis]

Hello everyone. I'll preface this by saying I did some research on here first to get some basic information and I also sent the wheel manufacturer an email a few weeks ago directly asking these questions. I haven't received a response from them so I figured I'd post up here and get the experiences, thoughts, and advice from you all.

For starters, I have a 1969 Camaro that is lowered two inches front and rear, factory rear end, not tubbed or anything like that and I'm looking to put a set of 18" rally's on it. The car is strictly a cruiser, it won't see a drag strip or any autocross duty, just a fun car that I can drive to work once or twice a week and go to some weekend car shows and meets. The wheel setup I'm looking at is a pair of 18"x8.5" with 5.13" backspacing (10 offset) for the front and a pair of 18"x9.5" with 5.25" backspacing (0 offset) for the rear. Here is a link to the wheels: https://www.visionwheel.com/wheel/4714/VisionWheel/55%20Rally%20Aluminum?finishID=101 Part numbers are 55-8804GMML10 (fronts) and 55-8904GMML0 (rears).

As for tires, I'm looking at a set of BFG G-Force Sport Comp 2's in a 245/40r18 for the front and 275/35r18 for the rear. Like I said earlier, I don't need anything extensively performance-oriented so for tires I mainly wanted a set that would perform and handle well for an all-around tire and also be as close as possible to the factory height so the speedometer and odometer remain as accurate as possible. The car will be driven in south Alabama so snow and ice aren't really a concern for tire selection.

So there it is. My main concern with this setup is fitment as I want to purchase a combination that won't have any issues with rubbing and whatnot. I do apologize for the lengthy post but I would really appreciate the help of those who have been down this road before and can offer some advice to make the best and most educated purchase. Thank you all for your time and help.

[68Formula]

With that backspacing, 245s and a stock frame, you will for sure have rubbing on the inside (tire to frame) at full-lock. Dropping to 235s might as well, but pretty minor.

Rear combo is also iffy. Probably need to roll the fender lips. If you went 255/40 you should be safe.

[ilikeike]

With that backspacing, 245s and a stock frame, you will for sure have rubbing on the inside (tire to frame) at full-lock. Dropping to 235s might as well, but pretty minor.

Rear combo is also iffy. Probably need to roll the fender lips. If you went 255/40 you should be safe.

I ran 275-35-18 on my stock tub 68 Camaro no issue, I think the 69 is a bit roomier.

[68Formula]

I ran 275-35-18 on my stock tub 68 Camaro no issue, I think the 69 is a bit roomier.

What was your rim width and offset? For a 9.5", the 5.5" backspacing (stock rear and discs) is usually optimum. His is only 5.25", so it's pushing the wheel further out. Unless he's still running drums out back.

[ilikeike]

What was your rim width and offset? For a 9.5", the 5.5" backspacing (stock rear and discs) is usually optimum. His is only 5.25", so it's pushing the wheel further out. Unless he's still running drums out back.
My numbers are a bit different since I narrowed my rear end for a bit more lip on the wheel. I was just under 4.5" on the back space,maybe 4.375" I can't remember exactly,
I'm tubbed now,so it was awhile ago. Budnick helped me out when I ordered, J.Swain over there had a 68 Camaro so he's familiar with what works on the first gen.

[WatchThis]

Thank you guys for the replies. I’ve heard that the 69s have more room in the wheel well than 67s and 68s but this is my first experience with modifying first gens so I’m relying on your guys’ input. So I could drop the front tires down to a 235/40 and the rears to a 255/40 and shouldn’t have any rubbing or clearance issues? I do have disc brakes up front and drums in the back if that helps at all.

[130fe]

You can run a +6 offset on an 8” wheel (4.75bs) with a 235 or 245/45-17 tire and not have any issues on a stock subframe. +6 offset works awesome on a stock subframe/rear width housing. I ran this setup on the front for many years on my 68. DSE recommends a 4 7/8” bs on the same wheel, either works well. When you go up to a 9” up front (I have 18x9 right now) is where you can have rub issues. The only other thing I would consider is putting button head bolts on the inner fender mounts.

[Btlord69]

I have a 69 as well with a 2” drop in the front and 3” drop in the rear. I had the 245/40/18 BFG Sport Comp 2 tires on an 18x8 wheel on the front and did have some rubbing when turning into certain driveways, typically uphill. I would also recommend dropping to a 235 tire for the front. In the rear you should be able to run a 275/35/18 on a 9.5” wide wheel all day long without any issues. I had the same backspacing and offset you do and never had any issues in the rear with a more aggressive drop.

[WatchThis]

You can run a +6 offset on an 8” wheel (4.75bs) with a 235 or 245/45-17 tire and not have any issues on a stock subframe. +6 offset works awesome on a stock subframe/rear width housing. I ran this setup on the front for many years on my 68. DSE recommends a 4 7/8” bs on the same wheel, either works well. When you go up to a 9” up front (I have 18x9 right now) is where you can have rub issues. The only other thing I would consider is putting button head bolts on the inner fender mounts.


I have a 69 as well with a 2” drop in the front and 3” drop in the rear. I had the 245/40/18 BFG Sport Comp 2 tires on an 18x8 wheel on the front and did have some rubbing when turning into certain driveways, typically uphill. I would also recommend dropping to a 235 tire for the front. In the rear you should be able to run a 275/35/18 on a 9.5” wide wheel all day long without any issues. I had the same backspacing and offset you do and never had any issues in the rear with a more aggressive drop.

Thank you both for dropping in and adding your experiences also. That helped a lot and I really appreciate the input. I just ordered the wheels exactly as I referenced them in the initial post and am shifting focus to tires to complete the package. It sounds like going with a 235/40r18 for the front might be the best option to avoid any clearance issues and 275/35r18 should work just fine for the rear. Does this sound accurate?

[68Formula]

Thank you both for dropping in and adding your experiences also. That helped a lot and I really appreciate the input. I just ordered the wheels exactly as I referenced them in the initial post and am shifting focus to tires to complete the package. It sounds like going with a 235/40r18 for the front might be the best option to avoid any clearance issues and 275/35r18 should work just fine for the rear. Does this sound accurate?

I think as long as you stay with drums on the rear, yes. If you change later to discs, you may need to roll the lips or drop down in width (luckily a 255/40 will also fit on a 9.5" rim). But at least if you start with that setup, you can see how clearance you have, and get a better idea if it will work with discs later.