Rim sizing question

[Chuckles_5.0]

ok, so I've been trying to hunt down the size of my rims. went to a shop and they used some measuring tool and said they were 7.5 inch. well from what I can find they only made a 7 and an 8, so I'm guessing that makes mine a 7.

realistically I want to go to a bigger rim, just case it's easier to find tires, but I'm broke (and I've gotten to like the ones I have), so it looks like I will have to save up and just swap to an 8 inch rim.

so here's the ultimate question, will it work? lol

15x8 4x4.25 pattern, "0" offset, 72.62 hub bore

I found a place that has them fairly cheap, a few weeks saving and I might be able to pick them up, def want it done (with new tires) before MW... just checking to make sure it would work cause i'd be pissed if I spent the money on em and they didn't fit.

[PapaGeno21]

Did they measure from the outer lip or the lip behind the outer lip?

Most likely they are 8's in the back unless the guy was a total fool who put them on.

You want 5.5" Backspacing. Offset is +25MM.

Here is the draglite you owuld want.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/WLD-90-58040/

What size you going to for tires? IF its a 7 right now, most likely your rear tires will go on the 8 for now until you get new rubbers on there as its only 1/2" wider on each side. Too small might just look a bit dumb. If you get the 15x8, get yourself a 255/60R15 sized tire.

[Chuckles_5.0]

I'm actually running the 255/60s now. I want to go with a 275/50 (much closer to the stock O/D... not to mention I want to run drag radials on the back and I can't find many other than 275)

the guy who measured it measured from the lip that is just inside the thinest outer lip (the one that would be the overall width of the rim)

so the "0" offset means it's a 4.5" backspacing... which means it will be sticking out one inch further than the 5.5" backspacing. correct? (this is the first time I've ever gotten into rim sizing. I'm a rim purchasing virgin! GASP!! lol)

[PapaGeno21]

You CANNOT run a 4.5" backspacing wheel. Forget about offsets, as thats just a way the imports measure their backspacing. You need 5.5" BS on a 8" rim, and 6.5" on a 10" rim.

If you are going to run the 275/50 its going to need the 15x8 on 5.5" BS and it will need the fender lips rolled, as the 275 on massive bumps MIGHT hit them. Also, yes that size only comes in DR's unless you find an OLD set of BFG Radial T/A's as that used to be made in that size.

Getting the 4.5" BS will put the tire literally under your outer fender, and will just ruin everything.

275/50 wont work good on a 7" wheel if at all, so just get the 8's. Better safe than sorry, plus you can sell off the rear wheels you have now.

I prefer tall tires, so im going to run a 255/60 on the rear and a 215/65 on the front using 15x7 fronts and 15x8 rears. I might step up to a 275/60 in the rear if I feel the 255 is too small.

[Chuckles_5.0]

yeah, the 275 is listed with a 7.5 width minimum so I've got to go to the 8,

I'll have to go to the WELDs since the Pacers (what i've got now) apparently don't have a 8 inch rim with 5.5 bs. got to save a good bit more pennies but it'll be worth it in the end no doubt. And I'll def look into rolling the fenders, I think SVTskip and a few others are running the 275/50s out back so I'll get in touch with them.

Thanks for the help Geno! cleared up a lot!

[4eyed84]

yeah, the 275 is listed with a 7.5 width minimum so I've got to go to the 8,

I'll have to go to the WELDs since the Pacers (what i've got now) apparently don't have a 8 inch rim with 5.5 bs. got to save a good bit more pennies but it'll be worth it in the end no doubt. And I'll def look into rolling the fenders, I think SVTskip and a few others are running the 275/50s out back so I'll get in touch with them.

Thanks for the help Geno! cleared up a lot!


I have a full set brand new. 5 lug. Wheels cheap if u want

[PapaGeno21]

Not sure what the pacers are, but have you seen these?

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-531-5833PS/

[Chuckles_5.0]

I have a full set brand new. 5 lug. Wheels cheap if u want

I would if I was 5 lug, but I'm probably gonna keep this one four lug.


Not sure what the pacers are, but have you seen these?

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-531-5833PS/

Pacers are pretty much just knock offs, pretty much like the Summit ones. and thanks for that link, I hadn't gotten into searching the Summit site. You rock Geno! :thumbsup1:

[91GT347]

You CANNOT run a 4.5" backspacing wheel. Forget about offsets, as thats just a way the imports measure their backspacing. You need 5.5" BS on a 8" rim, and 6.5" on a 10" rim.

If you are going to run the 275/50 its going to need the 15x8 on 5.5" BS and it will need the fender lips rolled, as the 275 on massive bumps MIGHT hit them. Also, yes that size only comes in DR's unless you find an OLD set of BFG Radial T/A's as that used to be made in that size.

Getting the 4.5" BS will put the tire literally under your outer fender, and will just ruin everything.

275/50 wont work good on a 7" wheel if at all, so just get the 8's. Better safe than sorry, plus you can sell off the rear wheels you have now.

I prefer tall tires, so im going to run a 255/60 on the rear and a 215/65 on the front using 15x7 fronts and 15x8 rears. I might step up to a 275/60 in the rear if I feel the 255 is too small.

This is correct. Thats exactly what I ran with my Welds(15x8 w/5.5 BS). 275/50's did hit on bumps. I kept a watch on them. They never did get to where I was worried about the tire popping, but they did get slices on the outside of them. Plus it sounds like hell when they rub. lol

[Chuckles_5.0]

so how hard is it to roll the fender lip a bit?

and does the fact that I'm running stock hight affect that? I mean it seems like I've got a lot of clearance with the 255/60s... I know the 275/50s are wider but they aren't as tall... just wondering?

[PapaGeno21]

Stock height will still rub the outer fender lip with the 275/50. You gotta remember, a 275/50 may be stock height at around 25.7" however the 255/60 is 27" but thats only a little more than 1/2" around the tire to make up the 1". It doesent take much at all for 1/2" of suspension travel.

You will need to roll the lips, using a fender lip roller tool or you can actually cut the lips to a certain extent before you get to the pinch seam.

My friend cut his a bit, and worked for him with the 275/50's. I would personally roll them like this.

http://forums.vintage-mustang.com/vintage-mustang-forum/569230-fender-rolling-vs-trimming.html

Scroll down to post 13 and it shows the tool. Its 250 new, so try to find someone with it. People have used baseball bats also, rolling it along the tire but IMO thats a crappy way. IF you do roll them, heat the paint up with a heat gun as it will crack.

Do you have a shot of the rear of your car with the 255's? Curious as to what they look like on there!

[Chuckles_5.0]

not a good one, I'll get one tomorrow for ya.