I want to put some 17 inch wheels on a 64 malibu ss... Does anyone know the largest width I can put on the front, and back. Plus I need to know the back spacing.

Thanks
shane

I have 17s on my 65 El Camino.

The rear rim width can be either a 7" with 4.5" backspacing or an 8" with 5" backspacing to place it in the center of the wheel well. Stick with a 26" diameter tire/wheel combo to stay close to the original sizing. I have 255/45R17 tires on the 17" rims, these are 26.04" in diameter. I have 1" clearance on the outside without rolling the wheel lip and 3/4" on the inside. Excellent fit on rear.

The front rim width should be a 7" with 4.5" backspacing. I have 8" with 5" backspacing, but if I did it over, I would go with the 7" width. The tire is close to the outside edge of the wheelhouse, the 7" would bring it 0.5" inward away from the outside edge. I have 235/45R17 tires on the 17" rims, these are 25.32" in diameter. I also have 1" drop springs, no problems under normal driving conditions. Minor rubbing when the front wheel is pushed up into the wheel house at full turn lock; such as backing out of a driveway with only two wheels supporting most of the vehicle.


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Brian TC#1092, ACES#4374
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1964 Malibu SS Convertible (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/65elcamino64.jpg) (Garage Queen) Before Restoration (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/65elcamino64a.jpg)
1965 El Camino (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/65elcamino1b.jpg) (Daily Driver) Before Restoration (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/65elcamino1a.jpg)
1981 Corvette (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/65elcamino81.jpg) (Sidelined for repairs)

[This message has been edited by 65elcamino (edited 01-23-2002).]

Thank you for the response. Thats a really nice looking el camino

Shane

Shane,

You should take care of one other thing before putting a wider tire/wheel combo on. I recommend that you replace all of the rear control arm bushings to insure that the rear axle does not move from side to side. Old bushings will allow more movement and you might ruin a new pair of rims and tires if they scrape on the outer wheel lip.

Thanks for the compliment.

Brian

[This message has been edited by 65elcamino (edited 01-24-2002).]