69 GTO Build

[Rebel 6]

That's some interesting information on the chrome lips and you've really got me thinking hard about the bandits. Was the chrome lip custom or do they offer that? What about the center caps, if i went with bandits, I'd have to have the PMD centers, where did you get them made? I'm curious about your tire combo and I'm looking for a little advice, since you had the wheel rite measuring device. How wide and tall do you think you can go in the front? I was looking at a 10" wide tire (255x45x18) on an 8 (or 8.5) inch rim . height would be 27" What back spacing would you/ are you using? I have a 1 1/2" drop using the SC&C AFX suspension. I want the front and backs to be as deep as possible, but in the rear, it's not in the budget to mini tub. Out back I'm looking at 285v40x19. These would be 28" tall with 11.25" wide tire. It looks like they would fit based on my measurements, but again, I want a deep lip so I'm concerned about the exact back spacing. I was planning 9.5" rims in the back to keep a crown on the tread for a better ride than on a 10" rim since this will be a driver not an autocross car. Any advice you could provide would be appreciated. Thanks

['71cutlasluvr]

Hello Rebel6. welcome to the "mostly" 69 GTO thread. I'm the spoiler here since I post progress updates and pics on my '71 Olds cutlass/442 pro touring build. I'm just not organized enough to start a build thread of my own and my progress is very hit and miss, although I am trying to turn that around with Mike and Erics help.

Fortunately, I used to own a '67 Goat, and the guys tolerate my presence while sharing their projects' progress and offering recommendations for my project since we all have 68-72 GM a-body models. It's a great thread and Eric and Mike have exceptional skills (Just look at the pics! ) and will do their best to help anyone who needs it. Me? Kind of a newbie for this complicated of a project but I have the tools and the patience.... things I didn't have 10 years ago. And my daughters are grown and out of the house, leaving a bit more free time.

Good luck with your project. Please Post pics and progress updates when you can. I (we) find it really helps to motivate me (us)when I see other enthusiasts are out there getting stuff done with their projects.

Speaking of motivation, my detached garage's lighting was pitiful... 18 year old flourescents just were'nt going to cut it for the complicated mods I am doing so an upgrade was due before I start plasma cutting into the frame. I will post the results of several hours of work in another post in the hopes someone else will find the info useful.

[Fastmonty]

That's some interesting information on the chrome lips and you've really got me thinking hard about the bandits. Was the chrome lip custom or do they offer that? What about the center caps, if i went with bandits, I'd have to have the PMD centers, where did you get them made? I'm curious about your tire combo and I'm looking for a little advice, since you had the wheel rite measuring device. How wide and tall do you think you can go in the front? I was looking at a 10" wide tire (255x45x18) on an 8 (or 8.5) inch rim . height would be 27" What back spacing would you/ are you using? I have a 1 1/2" drop using the SC&C AFX suspension. I want the front and backs to be as deep as possible, but in the rear, it's not in the budget to mini tub. Out back I'm looking at 285v40x19. These would be 28" tall with 11.25" wide tire. It looks like they would fit based on my measurements, but again, I want a deep lip so I'm concerned about the exact back spacing. I was planning 9.5" rims in the back to keep a crown on the tread for a better ride than on a 10" rim since this will be a driver not an autocross car. Any advice you could provide would be appreciated. Thanks

Rebel6,

Some good questions... The chrome lips are an option on their two piece and three piece wheels. The center caps are easy... ask MHT/USMag, for their polished center caps, then get them bored to fit the Lucite centers. (I had a guy in my machine shop put them on our 4" lathe) Polish the centers, and epoxy in the PMD pieces. Done.

The Wheelrite tool is fantastic, and I recommend you get it, for your own sanity and measuring. My car will be lowered close to 4", so please take my measurements with a grain of salt. My fronts are 245/35-19's (25.8" tall), my rears are 285/30-20's (26.8" tall). My front measurements are irrelevant to you, because my Willwood spindles are wider than stock. You really need to measure them yourself. In my opinion, I think I could fit 255's. But, my caster is -5 degrees, which limits what I can do.

As for the rear, I went with 5.75" backspacing. Be carefull with the height, stock tires are 26.5", when you start pushing the diameter, you might have to start trimming the inner corner of the tub. I suggest searching lowered Chevelles and GTO's to see what others have done. Which is what I did. For example, check out Jim Wanger's latest design... http://forum.grrrr8.net/showthread.php?t=14399 The fronts are 25.8" tall, and the rears are 28".

Post some pics, when you can...

Mike