65 GTO new wheel question

[crustysack]

Looking to put 18" wheels on my car,65 GTO ,it has been lowered approx 2" with drop spindles, and I am running QA1 coilovers and Global West control arms. Can I get some info on widths and backspacing(rim and tire)that would bolt right in . I searched the wheel data base and found a 65 chevelle but it had some extensive mods that really arent comparable. thanks

[1989GTA]

How big of tires are you going to use and the width of the rims? Also are you running disc brakes?

[andrewb70]

How big of tires are you going to use and the width of the rims? Also are you running disc brakes?

I think that is the question he is asking...LOL

Andrew

[Later-A-body]

I am currently working on my fathers '65 GTO and we are in the planning stages of wheel choice. 18's as well. What I do know is that the front tire OD will need to stay under 25.8". According to Doug Nordin at GW he has plenty of experience with the set up on his own '65. You can easily run a 7" rim with a 235/40/18. That is what we have currently. We are looking at changing the set up to 18x8 front and 18x9's rear with a 275 40 18. BS if I recall will be 4.5 front and 5.25 rear. We also might do a 17x8 in front only and run a 245/45/17 to get a little more width while keeping the OD under 25.8". According to Doug the front tire will haze the bulge in the DS inner fender where the e- brake cable is routed. Hope this helps. Also as a side note, Doug is running 275/40/17's on all four corners of his GTO.

[1989GTA]

On my 1965 Skylark I am running 17" x 8" rims on the front. Tires are 245/45/ZR17. I have disc brakes all the way around. They add about 3/8" of width to the front. My backspacing is 5". I could have and maybe should have gone 5.25" on the back spacing. With the 5.25" back spacing I could have gone with a 255 up front.

On the rear I do have some wheel well work to increase the tire size I can use. The axel is from a 1971 8.5" model and is 1/2" wider on both sides so keep that in mind. My back space is 6 3/8" and the wheels are 17" x 9.5" and the tires are 285/40ZR17. The lip of the wheel well is also rolled some. This may or may not help you.

[crustysack]

thanks for the last 2 replies that kind of info helps out A LOT!! thanks again

[crustysack]

went ahead with the 7x18 235/40/18- I known they arent Forgelines but price was right and I like the look, left the stupid centercaps off and am making some carbon ones.
Thanks for the advice they bolted right on with no issues