Another
important factor
in wheel and
tire selection
is the location
of the rear leaf
springs in
relation to the
surface of the
axle flange.
Once the depth
is known, it can
be compared to
your backspacing
to determine if
there's enough
clearance
between the
wheel and the
spring.
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This perspective
of the installed
wheel shows how
close the wheel
and tire will
come to the
spring. Our
17x9.5-inch
wheel with its
5-inch
backspacing is a
cozy but
workable fit. By
the time we
allow for tire
sidewall bulge,
there will be
less than 1 inch
clearance on the
inside edge.
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Even stepping up
1 inch to a
15-inch wheel
will make a big
difference in
the way your car
looks and
handles. These
American Racing
Torq-Thrust D
wheels along
with P225/55R15
tires make a
nice first
upgrade, but
even this modest
size improvement
should be
checked for
clearance in all
dimensions.
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When installing
a larger wheel
and tire
assembly, be
sure to check
for interference
at the control
arms, tie-rod
ends, and
shocks. This
16-inch Vintage
45 wheel will
have no problem
working in the
wheelhouse of a
'69 Mustang.
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We recently
measured for
custom wheels on
a project car at
Classic
Creations of
Central Florida
for the
installation of
a 17-inch wheel
package. After
checking our
caliper
clearance,
backspacing, and
wheel-house
dimensions, we
settled on our
wheel and tire
choice. The
wheels are Wheel
Vintiques Billet
Bullet sized
17x9.5 in back
and 17x8 in
front. Our tire
choice is a
Nitto NT555
P275/40ZR17
sized for the
rear axle and
P245/45ZR17 for
the front axle.
With the tire
mounted, the
assembly tucks
up into this '65
Mustang rear
fenderwell quite
nicely, though
this axle has
been narrowed
and the rear
leaf springs
moved inboard
for larger
tires. In this
tight rear tire
installation, be
sure to check
the positioning
of the
parking-brake
cables because
they can rub
completely
through the tire
inner sidewall
in a mile or
two, and you
won't hear it
happening-although
you might smell
burning rubber.
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This
installation of
a 17-inch Cragar
SS wheel on a
'65 Mustang is a
much tighter
situation and
near the limit
on the early
car. Be sure to
check this
arrangement for
clearance
problems by
cycling the
steering wheel
lock to lock. On
cars with power
steering, it is
especially
important to
check for
interference at
the
power-steering
hoses.
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