I am looking at buying some smoothie 2 rims. I would like to install either 7" or 8" in front and 10" in back. I need to know the backspacing on the front and rear. I also need to know what is the best size tire for the front and rear. I have looked in the forums and have found different backspacings from different members...
Thanks

My 69 SS has 2 inch dropped spindles up front and Hotchkis two inch drop springs in the rear. I used Hotchkis sway bars front and rear, Hotchkis adjustable uppers and lowers in the rear and polyurethane bushings. I have ZERO wheel hop and the car handles very well in the corners, feeling comparable to my 97 Z-28.

On the rear I have 18 x 10 inch wheels with 6 inches of backspacing. If your car body is centered on the frame you can go to 6.25 inch backspacing and 305 wide tires. If you go to 17 or 18 inch wheels the 6 inch+ backspacing just puts the wheels outside of the contact point for the shocks in their stock location. I have 295/45/18 tires that are 28.4 inches tall. The tires fit fully inside the wheel wells.

I have a 2nd set for the rear that I have my 305/45/18 Nitto drag radials on (28.8 inches tall). They are 18 x 10's with 6.5 inches of backspacing. I had ford type c-clip eliminators (Dutchman) welded onto my rear end and they added .25 inch outbound to both sides and the Baer rotors put some width outward too. I have no clearance issues that a couple of minutes with a hammer did not resolve. I had to clearance the very rear of the inner tirewell about 1/16 inch.

Up front I have 18 x 8 wheels with 5 1/8 backspacing front with 255/45/18 tires (27.1 inches tall). I used a Hotchkis sway bar up front as it has a tighter radius on the turns at the bushings that is needed for the 5 1/8 backspacing. Use 5 inch or 4 ¾ if you use a stock sway bar and you should still clear the fender on a sharp turn. It is a balancing act up front with dropped spindles.

I am looking at buying some smoothie 2 rims. I would like to install either 7" or 8" in front and 10" in back. I need to know the backspacing on the front and rear. I also need to know what is the best size tire for the front and rear. I have looked in the forums and have found different backspacings from different members...
Thanks

Have you read the Wheel & Tire Database at the top of the page? If not,start there first.

I have 295/45/18 tires that are 28.4 inches tall. The tires fit fully inside the wheel wells.

I have a 2nd set for the rear that I have my 305/45/18 Nitto drag radials on (28.8 inches tall). They are 18 x 10's with 6.5 inches of backspacing.

Up front I have 18 x 8 wheels with 5 1/8 backspacing front with 255/45/18 tires (27.1 inches tall). I used a Hotchkis sway bar up front as it has a tighter radius on the turns at the bushings that is needed for the 5 1/8 backspacing. Use 5 inch or 4 ¾ if you use a stock sway bar and you should still clear the fender on a sharp turn. It is a balancing act up front with dropped spindles.

Redrum,

Are all 6 of your tires Nitto's? Nice ride and stance.

I was hoping to use the BF Goodrich 305/45R17's on the rear of my Chevelle but, they have been discontinued. Your '69 looks great with the 18's. I never thought I would like 18" diameter wheels on a Chevelle but, you pulled it off.

Regards, Jody

The fronts are Pirelli's - 255/45/18's. They match up well to the 295/45/18 Goodyear Eagles on the rear. I put the Nitto's on for summer cruising and drag racing.

The fronts are Pirelli's - 255/45/18's. They match up well to the 295/45/18 Goodyear Eagles on the rear. I put the Nitto's on for summer cruising and drag racing.

Yes, your tire choice matches up well and your '69 looks great.

My suspension and tire change is next for my Chevelle. I was planning on 295/50R16's since the 305/45R17's are dicontinued but, now I am seriously thinking about 18's. Thanks for the info.

Regards, Jody