Opinions on Wheel/Tire Combination

[cork]

Looking at new wheels and tires for my 87 GN. Stock Ride Height (at least for now)

Considering the Centerline Retro wheels

Rear 18x9.5 4.75 backspace 275/40/18 tire

Front 17x8 4" backspace 245/45/17 tire

 

[49-blues]

i think 4.5" is better for the front.

 

[jdpolzin]

I've got three buddies that have done the 17's up front and 18's in the rear and every one of them wishes they would have gone with 18's all the way around. Here's apic of my old Monte with the same size tires and wheels but with 4.5" BS in the front.


It's now my friends car. Still looks sweet though!


BTW, car is lowered 2" front and 1.5" rear

 

[xcessiv6]

18's are thhe wat to go more tire choices I run 18x9.5 255/35/18 up front
18x10 275/40/18 rear with 4.75 backspace no rubbing

 

[49-blues]

what backspacing did you use on the fronts? xcessiv

 

[JDSfastGN]

if running 8s up front i would go with 4.5" BS. Ive run 4" and had scrubbing problems. I installed some 17x8 with 4.5 on our T and they dont scrub and sit right where I want in the wheel well.

 

[WSLN 6]

Take into consideration a future brake upgrade as well. Wilwoods will push the fronts out an extra 1/2".

 

[cork]

I've got three buddies that have done the 17's up front and 18's in the rear and every one of them wishes they would have gone with 18's all the way around. Here's apic of my old Monte with the same size tires and wheels but with 4.5" BS in the front.


It's now my friends car. Still looks sweet though!


BTW, car is lowered 2" front and 1.5" rear

Jeremy if I were to use 18s on the front what size wheel and tire would you suggest ? I think I want the rears to be slightly taller and wider than the fronts.

 

[jdpolzin]

Rear 18x9.5 4.75 backspace 275/40/18 tire

Front 18x8 4.5" backspace 245/45 or 40/18 tire

I run a 4.5" BS up front with ZO6 front brakes (which push the wheel out 3/8") and had a little trouble with rubbing on my passenger side. I am very low in the front though. I dropped down to 225's in the front until I get my body straightened onto the frame. Then I'm going back to a 245. It's a balancing act: How low do you want to go? What brakes? etc. But for a 1-2" drop up front, you should have no problems with the 245's on an 8" wheel with a 4.5 BS and have some room for future upgrades.

 

[8UWITH6]

Your 1st post is exactly what I run on my GN. I like the 17/18 staggered look, to each his own though!

17x8 front, 4" bs, 245/45R17 tire

18x9.5 rear, 5" bs, 275/40R18 tire, **alum drums**

When I put these wheels on my dads 87 Limited with steel drums I had to run a thin spacer in the rear.