Tire Size Question

[70sixpkrt]

On my 70 Charger R/T, I currently have BFG 295/50/15 on the rear with 235/60/15 on a 15x7 with 4.25 backspace on the front. On the front, I want to switch to 245/60/15 on a 15x8 with 4.5 backspace. Do you think it will rub on the frame when turning? Anybody running 245/60/15 with 4.5 backspace on the front? 2nd question, anybody running Hankook Ventus H101 on the rear and Cooper Cobra on the front? Hankook doesn't sell a 245/60/15.

[Kern Dog]

I have 4 and 1/2" backspacing on my  18 x 9 front wheels and yes, the tires rub the frame rail on full left and full right. No biggie, it is a smooth spot and does no damage.

[triple_green]

Kern Dog, what size tire are you running on the front? and that is 4.5 BS not 5" right?

[Kern Dog]

Hello,
Front tires are a 275-40-18 on an 18 x 9 with either 4 1/2 or 4 3/4" BS. I keep meaning to pull and measure just to know for times like these. The larger diameter helps with clearance to the lower ball joints and upper control arms.

[triple_green]

do you think a 5" backspace would hit?

[Kern Dog]

You will reduce your turning radius with more back spacing. My tires rub the frame rail as is. It is smooth where the tires rub but it still limits travel. An 8 inch wheel with 4 inch back spacing may be better. I tried to center the mounting faces in the wheels for the front and do some outward offset at the rear. Rears are 18x10 with the same back spacing as the front. This was to push the wheels out closer to the edge of the body since the width at the rear is greater than at the front.

[Mike DC]

  
5" of backspacing is so bad that it's liable to hit the upper control arm (ball joint area). 

4" of backspacing is more reasonable but it still may put the tire into the framerail if the tire is big.  


The factory F70-14 tires were about 26 inches tall.  
The OEM rims had very shallow backspacing.  More like 3 inches than 4.  

[Kern Dog]

Factory wheels are woefully inadequate on cars with bulging fenders.
The 15" Rallye wheels were what....6 1/2 or 7 inches wide? If the wheel is centered, that is 3 1/4 to 3 1/2" back spacing? I wonder if maybe the steering stops long before the tire could ever make contact with the frame.

[triple_green]

sorry to clarify 5" of backspacing on a 18x9 rim,,