Wheel Size for Chicken Nugget? (65 Falcon)

[LowFast]

Alright, time to determine wheel size. Already know I want to go with the Team III LT-III wheels, color combo is brushed barrel with gold/bronzish painted center (think anvil mustang)

http://www.royrezentesdesign.com/clientspace/t3w/T3W2843_WebSiteRedesign/staging6/production_wheels/lt/images/lt_cast_1812_sc.jpg

Here is the dilemma. I want to run an 8" wide front wheel, and have to keep the tire diameter under 25" in order for it to work at my ride height, which will be low, tucking full tire if not some rim for about a 6" rocket to ground clearance at ride height.

Options:

18's f/r with 18x8 - 235/35/18 up front (24.5od) and 18x12 - 335/30/18 (25.9od)out back

or

17/18 combo with 17x8 -235/40/17 (24.4od) up front and 18x12 - 335/30/18 (25.9od) out back.

or

The crazy combo would be an 18/20 set-up with the 235/40/18 up front and 315/25/20 out back, which would require going to a different wheel. I have seen 18/20 combos on the falcon and it is hit or miss, you really have to tuck and ride low to pull it off, but I can't get the thought out of my mind. Since there are not many modded Falcons I have also been looking at first gen novas for inspiration since they are very similar to the falcon in size and proportion.

All of these tires have a relatively short sidewall but I have noticed the lower the ride height the better it looks with a little larger rim and less tire. Given the cut of the Falcon rear fender it tends to make wheels look about one size smaller since half the wheel is tucked. I need opinions and example pics if you got'em. I want to order up wheels and tires before the end of the year.

[muthstryker]

17/18 combo, your front fender openings are tiiiiny and the 18s look like 20s

[Doodler]

For what it's worth, I'm putting 18s all the way around on my 65. Like what muthstryker said, the wheel opening are so small on those cars they will look huge at 18 IMO.

[LowFast]

For what it's worth, I'm putting 18s all the way around on my 65. Like what muthstryker said, the wheel opening are so small on those cars they will look huge at 18 IMO.

Any pictures of your set-up. I have not been able to find a 64-65 falcon running 18's all around. Have a couple of pics on 18/20 and a few on 17's.

[Doodler]

Any pictures of your set-up. I have not been able to find a 64-65 falcon running 18's all around. Have a couple of pics on 18/20 and a few on 17's.

I wish I did, haha! My project is getting out of hand really quickly...

Background: I bought the car when I was 15 and restored it while in H.S. Sitting in the garage now for the last 15 years I decided to "freshen the car up". That turned into resto-mod and then turned into full-on tube-chassis, twin turbo BBF pro-touring. It's getting the chassis put in it right now since I don't trust myself and would feel a hell of a lot safer if somebody else built that part. The floors should all be cut out hopefully soon and we could stick the wheels/tires under it if you haven't found a picture by then.

[Bryce]

I like 17s all the way around. I liked my falcon with my black 16s on all four. I was tire limited and needed to step up to a 17. But I run a 25.6 diameter on all four. 245/45/17 and 275/40/17

[LowFast]

Here are the best example pics I have

65 Black Falcon on I believe 18's F/R

64-65 Comet (almost same as Falcon) with 18's F/R

Early Falcon wagon with 17/18 combo

65 mustang with 17/18 combo (generally early Mustang have same small wheel openings)

[LowFast]

The black Falcon looks mean and is the best representation of the look I am going for. Forgot I had that picture, no idea where it originally came from or any real information on the car itself.

[wellis77]

18's all over!

On another note, I need a falcon wagon! That thing is great!

[jgpclone]

18's all over!

x2...

[Buryingthesun]

17's all over all day, big wheels look trashy and "hood" imo

[LowFast]

17's all over all day, big wheels look trashy and "hood" imo

Appreciate your comment, and I have seen quite a few Falcons both in print and person on 17's. At a stock or close to stock ride height they look good but as you start to dump it in the weeds the tall sidewalls look frumpy (miss proportioned.) I really dig the look of the black falcon I posted above, if I can acheive that look I will be more than happy, it happens to be sitting on 18's all around.

[LowFast]

Update: Wheels were ordered, Team III LTIII's in 18x8 for the front and 18x11 out back. Plan to run a 245/35 front tire and 315/30 rear. Should have the wheels in 2-4 weeks, have not decided on how to finish them but it will be a change from the stock grey centers and polished lip. Ideas and suggestions welcome!

[nine lives johnny]

18's if your going to slamm it! 17's if your going to modestly drop it.

[LowFast]

Here are the wheels, I am slamming it, I went with the 18's