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firebirdmi · 03-07-2012, 08:53 PM

The rears were checked at ride height.

I only had bricks so I didn't want to rest the wheels on them. So for the front I jacked the car up on the lower control arms. It put the front about 2" above ride height and the 25.25" was estimated from there. Yes, the closest point is the lower, outside, back corner (closest to the door).

This site has been a great help to me so I want to give back when I can. For this project I got a little antsy so I went ahead and bought the tires. They should be on this Sunday and I'll post pics.

quicksilver97ta · 03-08-2012, 11:32 AM

Car and wheels look fantastic dude! What tire size and wheel back space do you have up front now? I’m running BFG 215/65/15’s (26” tall) on a 15 x 6 which I believe has a 4” bs. It’s really close, more so on the drivers side. I actually had to add some neg camber which took away a little castor (added 1 fat shim at the front of the A-arm) and grind down the bolt head some for insurance. I think the alignment shop used factory specs as I actually had some positive camber, now it’s closer to zero. I also have some “skinny’s” to run up front when I go to the track (and for a different look). Don’t have the tire size handy but I know they are taller and skinnier yet they have more clearance then the BFG’s. Just something to consider.
About the steering knuckle, I’ve got nothing other than it must be from a different car. Usually anyway, those knuckles are not wear items, not replaced unless damaged in an accident or something.

PaulatFast · 03-08-2012, 04:32 PM

25" tall tires look rediculous and get laughed at...
Not being mean, just stating the truth.

firebirdmi · 03-08-2012, 08:40 PM

Thanks quicksilver. Before changing the wheels, the front tires shown are BFG Comp T/A 225/60/R15 (approximately 25.5 inch tall). The rim size is 7" wide and 3 5/8" back space (it's an odd # but accurate). The car is lowered 2" all around.

I received the tires and will be headed to the shop this weekend. I'm not sure how good the fronts will look. If Year One does come out with an 8" wide and 4.5" backspace I'll probably go that route in the front.

mario65 · 08:41 AM

FirebirdMI thanks for your work and time on this. I know we all are going to get alot of it. I really hope it works for you. I have been rediculously patient. I am getting the bug again. I dont want to spend 4k on wheels and tires if I think I can get a Rally II look to work.

Heres my current stance and look:
http://transams.net/MariosCollection...rd_400.html#16

Heres the stance I and look I want. I would much rather have a Rally II wheel do it than aftermarket wheels.
http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u...p/DSC_0125.jpg

firebirdmi · 03-11-2012, 02:15 PM

Mounted the tires/wheels and I've attached pictures (I have more but only attached those that would be the most help). Car has been lowered 2" all around.

As I feared, the fronts have a little low rider look to them. If I had a choice I would want the front to be an 8" wide rim with a 4.5" back space. I think the exisiting tire would be perfect for that rim size and the sidewall would be square as opposed to tilted in. They do not hit the fender (about .25 clearance) when the wheel is turned.

The rears are nice and will not rub on the quarters if I bottom out the suspension. I could fit a 275/40 out back but the tire would most likely be flush with the quarter panel lip (see pic) and would rub if the suspension bottomed out. Also, in a hard turn at speed the inside sidewall would most likely rub the stock wheel wells.

I will need to clearance the steering knuckle on the driver's side before I take her out to account for flex and suspension movement.

I also took pictures of the front fitted with the rears for reference. Hope this helps others make choices for their wheel/tire combo.

firebirdmi · 03-11-2012, 02:17 PM

More pictures

Old Blue 66 · 03-11-2012, 05:13 PM

Those are absolutely beautiful on that car. Nice work. Thanks for the documentation as well. I have to admit that while Im searching for a wheel/tire combo right now, Ive learned a thing or two based on your posts.

mario65 · 03-11-2012, 09:57 PM

Dude that looks great. Much better than I thought. I don't see anything low rider at all but then I'm Hispanic. I really like what happened to the car.

So are you going to keep them? Send them back?

Forget the pics I saw what I needed.

I think I might make it work on mine with 275/40/17 on the back and 255/40/17 on the front.

Man I like that car a lot now.

mario65 · 03-12-2012, 10:14 AM

I brought myself to call YO this morning and actually got someone on the phone that was very helpful and aware of the rims and the 69 bird.
He said they mounted 255/40/17 on the 9's and they fit fine. He said they got a pair of 8's in and they mounted them on 245/45/17's and thats whats on it now. So clearly the 8's are in production because 2 are currently on the 69. He said the part has been ordered from the oversees manufacturer and they could be in the next month or 2. The part # for the 8's is PRW178GUN. He said the 8's would be 4.5" backspace. He told me the 67-68 would be a very tight fit with 9's but would work if it wasnt lowered.

DevoBuzz · 03-12-2012, 10:32 AM

Did they happen to say if other sizes would be available? Like 17x10 ?

PaulatFast · 03-12-2012, 11:50 AM

What would be the advantage of 10's?

firebirdmi · 03-12-2012, 12:47 PM

Mario65, thanks for the info on the upcoming release of the 8" wide. I spoke with them today and they are expecting 4-8 months on delivery of the 8" wide with 4.5" backspace. The first lot had a small issue so they were rejected and the manufacturer is making a tooling fix.

I'll be first in line for 'em and then I'll have (2) 9" wide rims available for sale. I think the 235/45 tire should be just right on the smaller rim size so I'm keeping the tires.

DevoBuzz, I forgot to ask about any additional sizes.

DevoBuzz · 03-12-2012, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PaulatFast

What would be the advantage of 10's?

315/35/17 - if it's possible to fit under the sheet metal!

mario65 · 03-12-2012, 10:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by firebirdmi

Mario65, thanks for the info on the upcoming release of the 8" wide. I spoke with them today and they are expecting 4-8 months on delivery of the 8" wide with 4.5" backspace. The first lot had a small issue so they were rejected and the manufacturer is making a tooling fix.

I'll be first in line for 'em and then I'll have (2) 9" wide rims available for sale. I think the 235/45 tire should be just right on the smaller rim size so I'm keeping the tires.

DevoBuzz, I forgot to ask about any additional sizes.

Interesting on the delivery date. I bet if you call them tomorrow they'll say they aren't even getting any 8" rims. They are a box of chocolates. I have waited so long I guess I can just wait a little more. Right now its 275/40/17 and 255/40/17. I think they are the perfect rim for my car. The price is definitely keeping me from getting something else. If you get setup on the 8's send me PM please. I might miss it if its posted here. I might buy your 9's we'll see.

mario65 · 03-12-2012, 10:50 PM

By the way the best price on KDW's I could find were here:
discountedwheelwarehouse.com

They were 585.00 plus ship

nh68gto · 03-15-2012, 06:37 PM

Love the 3/4 front view of the car. Shows off the deep dish of the wheels. Love them !!

firebirdmi · 03-18-2012, 07:26 PM

Thanks for the compliments.

For now, to fix the tie rod end hitting the wheel on the drivers side, I shimmed the steering arm out by 0.25" and reset the toe. I took it for a drive this weekend and the wheels were balanced well. No shaking all the way to 90. I like the firmer ride with the lower profile tires and there is no rubbing even when I hit bumps at speed. Once the 8" wide rims come in I'll switch over and take the shims out from under the steering arm.

marauder · 03-24-2012, 09:05 PM

IMO 17x8x4.5 and 18x10x5.5 would be ideal if they would make them for the 68 and later A bodies

That way you could use 245x45x17 and maybe even 255x45x17 front and 285x45x18 in the rear for a 27" height

I have 285x40x17 (26") on 17x10x5.5 and would like another inch back there.

hgerhardt · 03-24-2012, 10:15 PM

As for tire sidewall height (diameter), I agree 26-27" dia is ideal. A 255/45R17 is 26.1" dia and is easy to come by and will fit even an early A-body, as I have on my '66 GTO as below. Here are Firestone Wide Ovals in that size: http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....omCompare1=yes Click on Specs to see the sizes.
These wheels are ROH ZR6's, which were the prototypes for the Impala SS. I used '69 Bonneville hubcap centers which fit perfectly in the ROH centercaps. Brakes are 13" Corvette C5 front and 4th gen F-body rear (same calipers as the C5 except they are a bolt-on to our rear axles). Wheels are 17x8.5 reverse-mount, which is what the YO Rally II's are, and caliper clearance is very tight.

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