Hi guys. I've been reading posts on 15x10's and doing some measuring on my car. It seems like a lot of you are able to use this wheel with a 5.5" backspacing. I installed a 15x8 with 3.5" bs and have less than 2" between the rim and the shock mount. This tells me that the 15x10 with 5.5" bs will hit the shock mount, the way it is now. These wheels also seem to consistantly place the tire very close to or into the fender lip too, from what I've read. The more I think about it, the more I think the 15x10 should have about 6"+bs to center the tire (on my car anyway) and move the wheel inwards to allow more clearance at the fender lip. I read where a couple of guys raised the rear shock mount 1", and I like this idea. That would let the wheel bypass the bottom of the shock. Is this safe to do? By moving the shock mount up it's also being moved forward because of angle of the bracket it's bolted to. It looks safe to me, but I don't know about the effects of changing the angle of the shock. Will the stock length shock still work? Thanks.

[This message has been edited by Glenn1018 (edited 04-30-2002).]

Glenn, where are you measuring from on the wheel? The shock mount will somewhat fit into the wheel, past the lip (outermost ring, also furthest protruding) Here are some pics that may or may not help you. I have a '71 chevelle with 15x10 wheels and 5.5" backspacing. The wheel IS centered in the wheel well, I would want no more and no less than 5.5" of backspacing on a 15x10 wheel. BTW - I have about 1/2 inch of clearance between the wheel and the shock mount. I have also never heard of anyone having troubles with this happening assuming the wheel is made with 5.5" of backspacing.

Here are the pics, I hope they help:
http://www.nd.edu/~alayman/My%20Chevelle/AdamLym1117tirefit.jpg

AND
http://www.nd.edu/~alayman/My%20Chevelle/AdamLym1117tirefit2.jpg

EDIT - What year 'velle are we talking about here? This is vital info

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WEBSITE UPDATED 03/18/02
Adam Layman
1971 Chevelle Malibu
My Webpage (http://www.nd.edu/~alayman/webpage/main.htm)

[This message has been edited by AdamLym (edited 04-30-2002).]

[This message has been edited by AdamLym (edited 04-30-2002).]

You can move the shock mount inward as we did when we had our rear end powdercoated. They cut off the mount and rewelded it inward. It would be harder to do if you leave the rear end in the car (Maybe you need to change things internally, and then it would be to your benefit?).

Haven't installed any 10" rims yet, however, we keep watching these types of postings for ideas.

Hope this helps.


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Team Members Forever #341

Richard, Judy, MAXX2

'69 Elke (Frame Off); GM HO 350/330-Mildly Ported Vortec Heads-Manley Severe Duty SS 2.02/1.60 Valves, Comp Cams Full Roller Package (Magnum)-Custom Grind CS 3315/3316 HR112-.510/.520 Lift, Edelbrock Air-Gap W/750 Performer Manual Choke-Performer 100 HP NOS, March Pulleys, 4L60 (Non Computer) W/Lokar Shifter, 12 Bolt Posi.

Thanks for responding with the suggestions and the pictures. I'd thought about moving the brackets in, but decided to leave them there because the sway bar fits ok and I'm not sure what changing the angle of the lower control arms would do. It's a 70 Monte Carlo, so I guess frame clearance problems would be similar to the Chevelle, but the fender lip is likely different. I spent a lot of time measuring with straight edges and a level today trying to see just what would fit. From the outside of the brake drum to the fender lip is 5 1/2", from the outside of the drum to the closest part of the frame is 7", so there's 12 1/2" to play with. I figured that a 15x8 with 4 3/4" bs will be centered, as would a 15x10 with 5 3/4" bs. I'm thinking that a 10" wheel with a tire of no more than 10 1/2 or 11" section width is about as big as I should go (1/2" can be rolled back on the lip if necessary). I want to use the center caps and trim rings that came with the 15x8's that I have, but I'm not sure that the 3 1/4" trim rings would fit the 8" wheel with 4 3/4 bs (the outside of the wheel would lose about 1 1/4". I checked the shock mount too...it's 5 1/2" from the outside of the brake drum to the outside of the unthreaded part of the mount that the shock bushing slides on. I'm pretty sure that the rim will contact the shock mount nut if the mount isn't raised. Maybe this is due to manufacturing tolerances? That little sucker's in the way... Thanks again for your input.


[This message has been edited by Glenn1018 (edited 05-01-2002).]