Staggered Wheel Diameters on a 66 GM A-Body

[old66tiger]

I have decided on the Billet Specialties Dagger wheels on my 66 GTO. I was planning on 18X9 on the rear and either 18X8 OR 17X8 on the front. I saw a nice 66 Chevelle with the staggered combination at the Good Guys in Chicago that looked good. The owner said that if he did it again he would do 18's all of the way around because the tire selection is a bit better.

I am trying to get a sense if the same diameter for front and back would look OK or if I should go staggered. I know that this is purely personal preference but I would like some thoughts?

Thanks

[Yoda4561]

As long as you keep the sidewall height in mind, there's no problem with running 18's or 17's up front. Just make sure that the front tire's sidewall height (not necessarily ratio, or overall diameter though it will end up that way) is smaller than your rear sidewall. At the very least they should be the same sidewall height, with a slightly lower suspension up front. Whether it's 17's or 18's this is essential.

[dhutton]

17" front may limit your brake options. I've seen some 18 front, 19 or 20 rear. Since you can't lower the rear of these cars a whole lot it was explained to me that running a larger rear tire helps give the illusion of a lowered rear.

[66Malibu]

I had a 18/20 combo on my 66 before, and I'm my opinion it did look good. Compared to the 20" rear, the 18" front could have been considered "too small". I've gone to a 19/20 combo that should be arriving soon and think this will be the ticket for me. I think that if 18" is the biggest size wheel you are considering, then run them on all 4 corners.

[DriverzInc]

Another vote for 18s all the way around. The lines on your care are calling out for it. Let us know if we can help with the Billet Specialties purchase.

[gearheads78]

18/18 or 18/19 looks best on that car IMO. I went with 18/18 but if cost was not an object I would have used 19's on the rear.

[RYU]

I'm probably going to go with a 18/19 combo on my a-body but 18/18 is was still my original choice. I agree with Jon, the lines of the car dictate it. If I didn't want to be so low i'd go with a 18/18 but since I want to be in the weeds I think an 18/19 or 18/20 would look good. Tire selection isn't the best with the 19s but I feel the inventory is getting better since demand for 19s seems to be increasing.

If you're deciding on 17s, I was (surprisingly) able to fit 17s around the 14" Z06 brakes during a random test fit (http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff62/teechx/1966%20Chevelle%20Malibu/Brakes/P1040391.jpg). You just need to find the right wheel with high inner clearances. Both sets of 18s I have had valve stem clearance issues.

[DriverzInc]

Here's two of our chevelles: 18/19 combo on the blue and black car, and 19/20 combo on the grey car.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/01/IMG_1500a_small-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/03/HellOnWheels006-1.jpg

[MikeyG559]

Are both those cars on air ride or just lowered????

[JT_67Tempest]

Here is a pic of mine from the rear with staggered wheels 19/20 combo.

https://www.pro-touring.com/forum/vbpgimage.php?do=full&p=4305
https://www.pro-touring.com/forum/vbpgimage.php?do=full&p=4304https://www.pro-touring.com/forum/vbpgimage.php?do=full&p=4303

[RYU]

This was only for mockup purposes so final ride height is not set. No alignment. No rear brakes. Not the right tire sizing, not the right wheels, etc... but will give you an idea of what 17/18 set looks like.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/09/P1040386-1.jpg

[68Formula]

You could also consider running a lower front profile compared to rear to get the stagger in tire rather than rim.

For example, a 245/40R18 is 25.7" tall, and a 275/40R18 is 26.7" tall. The shorter front tire sidewall will add bite (to the front of course) due to the stiffer sidewall.

[T-CHRGD]

I went with 17 x 8 (F) and 17 x 10 (R), but when I hit the lottery, I would like to get 18 x 9's for the back.

IMO with same diameter F+R (17,18,19,or 20) the front wheel always looks too big to me. I think 17/18, 18/19, 19/20 always looks Best.

Just My opinion :)

[Yelcamino]

Click the "Chevelle" link in my sig to see 18/19 combo or click the El Camino link to see 18/18 combo.

[DriverzInc]

Are both those cars on air ride or just lowered????

We used SpeedTech for the front suspension on the blue and black car, with a coil over, and the rear is a 3" lowering spring.

On the Grey car, global wet uppers and lowers, with 3" lowering springs on all four corners.

[Capown]

Here is a pic of mine from the rear with staggered wheels 19/20 combo.

sorry for the post but I can't seem to PM him, been trying for 3 days now.

I was currious to what the sepcs are on your wheels? I picked up a 67 Lemans and Im working on finding a wheel and tire combo. I would love my car to sit like yours, I also saved your car as my desktop lol!!

[The WidowMaker]

call jon at driverzinc for the specs on those wheels. he set those up, so he's your best bet.

Tim

[JT_67Tempest]

sorry for the post but I can't seem to PM him, been trying for 3 days now.

I was currious to what the sepcs are on your wheels? I picked up a 67 Lemans and Im working on finding a wheel and tire combo. I would love my car to sit like yours, I also saved your car as my desktop lol!!

Sorry I've been busy with kids and baseball. Not hitting the boards like I used to, but here are the specs on my wheels and tires.

Wheels are Rushforth Strutters

Front are 19x8 with a 4 7/8" backspace
Rear are 20x10 with a 6.25" backspace
Front tires are 245/35/19
Rear tires are 285/30/20

[Capown]

Thanks for the PM JT, I got a job looking up so I may be starting on the car sooner.

[JT_67Tempest]

Thanks for the PM JT, I got a job looking up so I may be starting on the car sooner.

Well cool keep us posted on your project. And by the way the wheel specs I gave up above have changed as I'm running New Gen Wheels now.

Here is a link to another thread https://www.pro-touring.com/forum/showthread.php?p=580747#post580747