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#1
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What width rear end should I buy? 65 Lemans
Hey, guys
I have read a lot about the stock widths for the 65 but since I wasn't ready to upgrade I didn't pay attention. But, now I am ready and I have questions. So I am now running a stroked 461 and a 4L60 and a open rear end out of an Olds that has to go! What rear end width and tire/rim combo will get me the most traction? Should I go with a narrower then stock rear? If so what rim offset and back space is going to get me that traction? Or just go with the stock dimensions?
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Let's make welfare as hard to get as Veterans benefits! |
#2
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Personally when in your situation I buy the wheels I want and then mock them up under the car with tires mounted and order the the axle to fit that measurement.
There too many wheels out there that have limited offset options to go with someone else's axle measurements. Unless you're going to put the exact same wheels on the exact same year of car you may find what worked for another person won't work for you.
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If it breaks. I didn't want it in the first place. _____________________________________________ 69 GTO \ 72 FIREBIRD \ 1/2 OF A 64 GTO \ 70 JAVELIN \ 52 FORD PU \ 51 GMC PU \ 29 FORD PU \ 85 ALFA ROMEO SPYDER \ A HANDFUL OF ODD DUCATI'S \ 88 S10 LT1 BLAZER & MY DAILY DRIVER 67 SUBURBAN. |
#3
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Definitely buy the wheels and tires first and then have the rear end made to the proper width as mentioned above.
You can always buy the wheels first and then bolt them onto your current rear end to give you a better perspective of what needs to be done to center the wheel inside the wheel wells. Of course have the cars full weight on the suspension when you’re doing the measurements. A 275/60-15 tire on an 8” wide wheel is about the limit here and you really have to be on your game to stuff them in without rubbing. This thread may be helpful, 1964 & 1965 are the same when it comes to wheel and tire fitment: https://forums.maxperformanceinc.com...d.php?t=526735
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1964 Tempest Coupe LS3/4L70E/3.42 1964 Le Mans Convertible 421 HO/TH350/2.56 2002 WS6 Convertible LS1/4L60E/3.23 |
#4
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When I purchased my 65 GTO it had the factory rear with stock Ralley I wheels. After measuring I decided on an aftermarket wheel 15 x 8 with a 5” backspace and 275 60/15 tires. The wheels fit nicely in the wheel wells. When the time comes for an upgrade I’m going with a Moser 12 bolt rear at the factory 65 width. If I ever want to put the Ralley I rims for whatever reason I know they will fit like stock. The trick is to find a wheel you like in the offset you need.
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The Following User Says Thank You to ANDYA For This Useful Post: | ||
#5
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Quote:
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1967 Firechicken, 499", Edl heads, 262/266@0.050" duration and 0.627"/0.643 lift SR cam, 3.90 gear, 28" tire, 3550#. 10.01@134.3 mph with a 1.45 60'. Still WAY under the rollbar rule. |
#6
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Thanks guys, great info here. I have another question, If I had the rear end made 1 inch narrower then stock the 4.5 inch backspaced rims would do the trick, right? I ask because there seems to be a bit more of selection for that backspacing.
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Let's make welfare as hard to get as Veterans benefits! |
#7
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Quote:
But buy the wheels then use them to measure before buying your rear end.
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1964 Tempest Coupe LS3/4L70E/3.42 1964 Le Mans Convertible 421 HO/TH350/2.56 2002 WS6 Convertible LS1/4L60E/3.23 |
#8
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Understood B-Man, I appreciate the info!
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Let's make welfare as hard to get as Veterans benefits! |
#9
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To roll around the shop my 65 has 275/60-15s on 81 Turbo 15/8 wheels . Pretty tight inner and outer. About a 4.5 back space. Stock width rear.
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Skip Fix 1978 Trans Am original owner 10.99 @ 124 pump gas 455 E heads, NO Bird ever! 1981 Black SE Trans Am stockish 6X 400ci, turbo 301 on a stand 1965 GTO 4 barrel 3 speed project 2004 GTO Pulse Red stock motor computer tune 13.43@103.4 1964 Impala SS 409/470ci 600 HP stroker project 1979 Camaro IAII Edelbrock head 500" 695 HP 10.33@132 3595lbs |
#10
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Skip,
Would a 1 inch narrower make your situation better?
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Let's make welfare as hard to get as Veterans benefits! |
#11
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No a rolled fender lip and a fatter wheel well like a mini tub! My 64 Impala is even tighter on the same sized tire-it needed zero offset wheels, they won't fit at all on the GTO.
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Skip Fix 1978 Trans Am original owner 10.99 @ 124 pump gas 455 E heads, NO Bird ever! 1981 Black SE Trans Am stockish 6X 400ci, turbo 301 on a stand 1965 GTO 4 barrel 3 speed project 2004 GTO Pulse Red stock motor computer tune 13.43@103.4 1964 Impala SS 409/470ci 600 HP stroker project 1979 Camaro IAII Edelbrock head 500" 695 HP 10.33@132 3595lbs |
#12
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I kinda like the Pontiac rallye wheels, and the old Cragar's but I've seen a lot of others I am warming to. Is there anything resembling the Rallye with a 5 inch back space?
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Let's make welfare as hard to get as Veterans benefits! |
#13
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Wheel Vintiques offers custom backspacing
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468/TKO600 Ford thru bolt equipped 64 Tempest Custom. Custom Nocturne Blue with black interior. |
#14
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So here’s two different guys saying 5 inch and about 4-1/2” backspace.
From what I’ve experienced 5” would be the number. So this is exactly why you simply can’t trust anyone’s measurements but your own.
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1964 Tempest Coupe LS3/4L70E/3.42 1964 Le Mans Convertible 421 HO/TH350/2.56 2002 WS6 Convertible LS1/4L60E/3.23 |
#15
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Out of curiosity, what style of wheel are you looking for? There are lots of companies that offer a 5” backspace.
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#16
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On my '67 the magic number was 5.25" to exactly center the wheel with the stock '67 rear that is 1" wider than the early rearend. "If" your '65 just happens to have the same dimensions as my '67, then you would allow for the 1/2" per side shorter rear and end up with 4.75" backspace to center the wheel (5.25 - .5 = 4.75).
When I replaced the rear axle with a Strange Dana 60 I didn't want to buy new custom wheels so ended up sticking with the stock '67 width rearend so it would fit the 5.25" backspaced wheels already on the car. So like the above advice, I matched the new rearend to the wheels.
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Mick Batson 1967 original owner Tyro Blue/black top 4-speed HO GTO with all the original parts stored safely away -- 1965 2+2 survivor AC auto -- 1965 Catalina Safari Wagon. |
#17
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American Racing also has a "Rally II" wheel (custom 500)and you can get custom backspacing. Not cheap.
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#18
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That was the point of this thread. I am buying a rear end from Quick Performance and I can get what ever width I want. So, if I cant get the right rim with the back space I need or if it costs a fortune then I can just order a rear end with the width I need.
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Let's make welfare as hard to get as Veterans benefits! |
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