[firebirdmi]

Just pre-ordered two of the 8" rims. If you look earlier in the thread I documented installation of the 9" rims on my 68 Firebird and found an 8" would be perfect. This means I will have (2) excellent condition 9" rims available for sale in October for those looking to save some coin.

[ClassicDriverMan]

PM sent....

[428GTO70]

Originally Posted by firebirdmi

Just pre-ordered two of the 8" rims. If you look earlier in the thread I documented installation of the 9" rims on my 68 Firebird and found an 8" would be perfect. This means I will have (2) excellent condition 9" rims available for sale in October for those looking to save some coin.

I thought it looked great with those 9" wheels in front. I didnt see it as a "low rider" look at all. More like a mean, wide stance road racer look. Its your car, but I thought it looked awesome!

[firebirdmi]

Thanks for the compliment. Year One did an excellent job with the rims.
For the front I prefer little narrower and like a sidewall that's more square so that's why I would prefer the 8" wheel.

[RAFO9A]

Firebirdmi, I wanted to also compliment your car. My 68 Firebird currently has torq thrusts that were installed by the previous owner, with less than optimal backspacing. After flipflopping between 200S, V45, V40 and the Rally 2 wheels, I've decided to use your car as inspiration and go with the rallys.

My only question is this: you chose 255's for the rears with the 17 x 9 wheels. Had you chosen the 17 x 8 wheels with the same 255 tires, how do you suppose the look or clearance against the rear fender would change?

[firebirdmi]

With the 9" rim and 255/45 tire, the sidewall is essentially square. I believe that tire with an 8" rim would give it a meatier look with about 1/2" bulge per side.

As for clearance to the wheel well opening there would be 1/2" more than what is shown in the pictures. My car has been lowered about 2 inches all around and I rolled the rear fender well lips during construction. I don't have an issue with my existing setup rubbing the qtr. panel and believe if you were to go with the 8" that has a 4.5" backspace it would provide added insurance against rubbing and possibly boardering on overkill. Do note I have not installed the rear axle bump stop yet which would provide additional insurance against rubbing as the suspension bottoms out.

[Captainofiron]

Originally Posted by silvergoat

just put mine on , had to go with 245/40/17 front, 275/40/17 rear
i dont think anything else would fit upfront

man that looks great, cool color combo

[67GP428]

Does anyone know if the 8" with the 4.5" backspace with clear the factory '68 FB 4 piston calipers? Scott

[redlinepontiac]

debating on getting these i have a 71 lemans wagon that has coilovers in the rear and coilover conversion kit for the front. ive been told the car is slammed, but to me its not that low. im running 15x8 honeycombs currently but i like the look of the 17x8 new rallyeIIs.

im concerned with rubbing on the liners in the front, i also have a bump steer kit from spohn performance which drops the outer tierods fairly low. is anyone else running a similar set up? my rear quarters are rolled and pulled so i have no worries about that.

[john31s]

Originally Posted by redlinepontiac

debating on getting these i have a 71 lemans wagon that has coilovers in the rear and coilover conversion kit for the front. ive been told the car is slammed, but to me its not that low. im running 15x8 honeycombs currently but i like the look of the 17x8 new rallyeIIs.

im concerned with rubbing on the liners in the front, i also have a bump steer kit from spohn performance which drops the outer tierods fairly low. is anyone else running a similar set up? my rear quarters are rolled and pulled so i have no worries about that.

What are you worried about up front? My car is fairly slammed and I have no issues with 255's up front on a 9 inch wheel. If you are currently running a 15x8 honeycomb their is a good chance it is currently taller with a 60-70 series tire on the front. My 255/45/r17 Nitto 555's are shorter than the 225/70/r14 tires I took off the car.

[redlinepontiac]

being able to have full lock to lock with no rubbing. which offset are you running? and did you modify your front liners at all?

[john31s]

Originally Posted by redlinepontiac

being able to have full lock to lock with no rubbing. which offset are you running? and did you modify your front liners at all?

No. Just put longer wheel studs on it and threw them on. Everything fits for me.

[tbarsch]

Looks great FirebirdMi! Any word on the 8" rims yet?

[firebirdmi]

Year One had a casting issue with the rim vendor and the backspace was set at 4.25" for the 8" rim. As a result they are making a new part # for the 4.5" backspace rim and they will have to repeat the entire part approval process all over. I really want to get the tire sidewall away from the fender lip so it looks like I'm on hold until mid to late spring.

[tbarsch]

PM sent.

[A.J.]

Originally Posted by Nicks67GTO

Has anyone seen these on a 67 A-body yet? Preferably with some 50 series tires??

X2 How does these look on a -66/-67 GTO?

[quicksilver97ta]

Originally Posted by firebirdmi

Year One had a casting issue with the rim vendor and the backspace was set at 4.25" for the 8" rim. As a result they are making a new part # for the 4.5" backspace rim and they will have to repeat the entire part approval process all over. I really want to get the tire sidewall away from the fender lip so it looks like I'm on hold until mid to late spring.

Oh bummer. Thanks for the update.

[Junkyard Dog]

When will they do this with a Rallye I?

[john31s]

Originally Posted by Junkyard Dog

When will they do this with a Rallye I?

When they are convinced there is a market for them.

[GTOLou]

I am kinda surprised that YearOne has kept a lid on these and no one has has them. I'd expect they were chinese made and usually the chinese will sell to anyone/vendor that'll buy.

I know there is an ebay vendor that has the 17 snowflakes - but I haven't seen them elsewhere.


Anyway - I need a new set of rims at some point and will probably buy the rallye II's. I like the 50 series tires and there are NOT that many of those out there. I don't want a 26" wheel/tire and most of the 40's are just too short. I think Nitto makes the tires I want on the 17 rim.
(275/50/17 and 255/50/17 for a 2nd gen - Trans Am).