What is the ideal wheel width?

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David Maxwell
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What is the ideal wheel width?

#1 Post by David Maxwell »

I currently have 4.5" rims all around, and would like to go to a wider rim. What is the widest wheel that will fit? It seems that many run a 5" rim in the front and 5.5" rim in the back, and that a 6" rim is likely to require flares (something I don't want to do). Is that true? Or will a 5.5" wheel fit in the front?

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Vic Skirmants
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Re: What is the ideal wheel width?

#2 Post by Vic Skirmants »

Anything will fit in the front.

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Greg Bryan
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Re: What is the ideal wheel width?

#3 Post by Greg Bryan »

David - right above your post in the Outlaw Corner forum is a 'sticky' that discusses wheels for 18 pages! viewtopic.php?f=14&t=391
Also, in the Main Discussion forum, there's a tire sticky that's is also very extensive about brands, sizes and so on.
Good luck!
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Miguel Antonetti
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Re: What is the ideal wheel width?

#4 Post by Miguel Antonetti »

In a nut shell 5.5" all around would work - depending on the year model and conditions of the car, beyond that be prepared for challenges... However, as Vic said above, you can do whatever you want up front.

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Re: What is the ideal wheel width?

#5 Post by David Maxwell »

Miguel Antonetti wrote:In a nut shell 5.5" all around would work - depending on the year model and conditions of the car, beyond that be prepared for challenges... However, as Vic said above, you can do whatever you want up front.
Thanks Miguel! So 6 x 15 won't work in the rear without modifications?

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Martin Benade
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Re: What is the ideal wheel width?

#6 Post by Martin Benade »

On my T-6 I had 6" that just barely fit on the rear with 195/60 15 tires. I welded them together with the offset that I chose, but there is not much leeway between rubbing the shocks and rubbing the quarter panel. You should find out what particular wheels do fit properly, if you let us know what style you are wanting, somebody can make suggestions that should work. I hear that "actual results may vary" depending on your particular car, but they are fairly consistent.
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David Maxwell
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Re: What is the ideal wheel width?

#7 Post by David Maxwell »

Martin Benade wrote:On my T-6 I had 6" that just barely fit on the rear with 195/60 15 tires. I welded them together with the offset that I chose, but there is not much leeway between rubbing the shocks and rubbing the quarter panel. You should find out what particular wheels do fit properly, if you let us know what style you are wanting, somebody can make suggestions that should work. I hear that "actual results may vary" depending on your particular car, but they are fairly consistent.
Good to know! I'd like 6" Fuchs all around, but 5.5" may be the safer way to go.

Brad K

Re: What is the ideal wheel width?

#8 Post by Brad K »

on my '62 notch, the driver side rear can handle a 205/60, but the passenger rear can only handle a 195/65! (handmade issues!) - that being said, i don't think the problem is 5.5" vs 6.0", but rather the width of the tire, which i think will vary with each car - hope this helps, brad

Miguel Antonetti
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Re: What is the ideal wheel width?

#9 Post by Miguel Antonetti »

David Maxwell wrote:
Miguel Antonetti wrote:In a nut shell 5.5" all around would work - depending on the year model and conditions of the car, beyond that be prepared for challenges... However, as Vic said above, you can do whatever you want up front.
Thanks Miguel! So 6 x 15 won't work in the rear without modifications?
I tried the 6s on the rear and the driver side rubbed a little under certain conditions... so I decided "peace of mind" go with 5.5 all around = no problems at all.

Edwin Ek
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Re: What is the ideal wheel width?

#10 Post by Edwin Ek »

Miguel, what size tires are on the rear? Is your car a T-6? Thanks, Ed.
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Miguel Antonetti
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Re: What is the ideal wheel width?

#11 Post by Miguel Antonetti »

I'm running 195x65x15 P6s on 5.5" wide steel wheels all the way around on my T-6 with no issues, considering that I toss the car around... safely obviously.

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Re: What is the ideal wheel width?

#12 Post by Miguel Antonetti »

That's how it looks compared to big brother...
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Dr Oliver Strobel
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Re: What is the ideal wheel width?

#13 Post by Dr Oliver Strobel »

Hi. can somebody tell me what maximum size of rim and tire fits for a Pre A?

Cheers, Olli
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Conrad Carter
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Re: What is the ideal wheel width?

#14 Post by Conrad Carter »

I think more important question is, what is largest tire that will fit?!

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marcsherriff
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Re: What is the ideal wheel width?

#15 Post by marcsherriff »

Conrad has asked the right question. I have a set of 195 tyres mounted on some custom made smoothies, and with their offset, are pretty big. 8" on the back, but there is not much daylight between the tyre and guard. One of the (few) benefits of the swing axle, with our preferred body shapes.
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