By Jim Rowe - 14 Years Ago
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I want to change the wheel tire combination on my street driven 56 fairlane. I am currently using 215 x 75x 15 smoothies.
I want to go to a 17 or 18" wheel tire combo.
Have any of you gone this route? if so what are the combo's you are using?
Wheel Dia ??
Tire Size ??
Wheel rim width??
Thanks for your help!
Jim
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By GREENBIRD56 - 14 Years Ago
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Jim - When you look at the clearance between the upper a-arm ball joint - and the rim or tire sidewall, what do you get for a measurement?
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By paul2748 - 14 Years Ago
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You kind of asked for an opinion and although its your car to do as you please, personally I think that the 17-18-19-20 inch tires with the skinny sidewall tires look all out of proportion to the car, thus spoiling the looks.
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By crenwelge - 14 Years Ago
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As far as fitting, I think the larger tires will work. I ran 14" wheels on a 56 for many years and I had to build spacers and use longer studs to stay away from the upper ball joint. I think a bigger wheel would clear. As far as looks, I guess I'm just plain old fashioned. I think it would ruin the looks of one of the most stylish models Ford ever built.
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By MarkMontereyBay - 14 Years Ago
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American Racing Wheels makes several classic style wheels in the larger sizes that might fit the bill.
http://www.americanracing.com/vintage_hot_rod_wheels.asp
Also Cragar makes a series of larger wheels also in there unique classic styles.
http://www.cragarwheel.com/
These are expensive but the styles would compliment the classic lines of your car. I also ran into the guy at the Sacramento Autorama who has brought this brand back and has some interesting wheels at good prices.
http://www.rocketracingwheels.com/products/hot-rod-classic-muscle-car-wheels/
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By Bob's 55 - 14 Years Ago
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I am going to have to agree with both Steve and Paul, I personally just don't like the look and don't think it goes with the body style. Also, and this is just second hand knowledge, that it is easy to dink a wheel due to the low profile of the tire... biggest I would go is 16's, I believe some wagons came with 16" wheels in '55/56?
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By Jim Rowe - 14 Years Ago
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Really didn't ask for an opinion just wanted to know if anyone on this sight has used the larger wheels. If so what are they using.
It is fine if you all want to run stock size wheels that's your choice.
To answer Steve, the fit is tight less than a half inch.
Mark, thanks for the links. I have looked at them and more. I am worried about the back spacing on most larger wheels. The upper A arm is a problem. I may have to stick with a 16" wheel with min back space. Unless someone knows of a larger wheel they have used.
I have noticed in pictures of cars on this sight that several members use larger diameter wheels. Just want an idea what will fit.
Jim
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By DANIEL TINDER - 14 Years Ago
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I remember when Jay Leno redid his 55 Roadmaster, he had one-piece billet wheels turned with an integral, original type (Buick?) full wheel cover look, only taller than stock to accept beefier, more modern tires (mucho HP to handle). Car really looked great with a solid wheel, and you hardly noticed any change from OEM size..
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By Bob's 55 - 14 Years Ago
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Jim, You are correct, you didn't ask for my opinion... sometimes I guess I take the definition of a Forum too literally... And I most certainly was not trying to change your mind on what size wheels you run on Your Car.
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By speedpro56 - 14 Years Ago
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I'm running 16s on my 56 bird and seem to be better than the original 15s as far as distance from the upper a arm ball joint goes. I am running disc brakes on the front but the 16s still push the buldge of the tire alittle higher and farther away from the upper ball joint.
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By Jim Rowe - 14 Years Ago
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Gary,
Do you happen to know the back spacing on these 16" wheels? Are they steel or aftermarket aluminum? Brand of the wheels?
Thanks
Jim
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By speedpro56 - 14 Years Ago
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Jim, The wheels I'm running are custom made rodster wires. The original steel wheels are 15x5s with 3.75 back spacing for 56 fords. My wires on the front are 16x 5s with 4 inch back spacing and keeping the 215/70R 16s from rubbing the upper ball joints. The 3.75 back spacing may do better, not alot a room playing around with the upper joints. The rears are 16x6s with a 4.25 inch back space which helps on putting on bigger tires for a more aggressive stance. Rear tire size is 225/70R 16s. If going for lower stance tires such as 65s or 60s you should be OK on the rear. On the front keep the 3.75 or drop to 3.5 back spacing and I think you can go with a wider wheel say 5.5 to 6 inch just keep in mind you don't want to hit the fenders in a tight turn.
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By Jim Rowe - 14 Years Ago
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Gary,
That is the information I was looking for. Thank you !
Jim
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By GREENBIRD56 - 14 Years Ago
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The set-up I ended up with is a 16 x 7 (off a late Mustang) and they are built by Ford with the mounting face 1-1/2 inches off "true center". I mounted them on 1-3/4 spacers in the front - and the tires probably clear the ball joints by 5/16 to 1/4. That works out to a 3.75 backspace. The tires are 225/50/16's - so they lower the car a considerable amount without lowering blocks or dropped spindles either one. I used a shorter/thinner spacer in the rear - I don't remember if they were 1-1/2 or 1-1/4 - but there is room to go in another 1/4 with no problems before you would hit the spring leaf (on a T'bird). Which might allow running the skirts if someone wanted to. I do know that the springs don't appear to be parallel and you've got to look at the sidewall clearance front and rear.
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By Canadian Hot Rodder - 14 Years Ago
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FYI, I am running 16" x 7" (2002) Ford Explorer rims on my 56. The offset is perfect (leaves me about a 1/2" spacing on either side of the tire both inside and out). I fabbed up the bullet caps myself to get rid of the plastic 4x4 caps. I am running 205/60/16's in front and 225/60/16's in back. I get all kinds of people asking me where they can buy these rims, you should see the look on their face when I tell them what they are! The best part was that they were free! Hopefully this helps, you can have some cool rims without spending a fortune!
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By texasmark1 - 14 Years Ago
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not to hijack this thread, but how about some wheel/tire input on a 57 Fairlane?? I also got some "free wheels" (15 X 8 American Racing) from my neighbor down the street a while back... anyone have any idea if these would fit the best looking Ford of the 50's? Mark
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By speedpro56 - 14 Years Ago
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Getting back to Jim, I too do run a set of 16x7 in wheels on the rear of my 56 tbird and they fit pretty good but things are starting to get close so add mostly to the back spacing to keep from rubbing the fender skirts. So like the others are saying you can go with a 7 in wide wheel and still be workable. Going to an 8 in wide wheel I don't know?????
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By shakey pete - 14 Years Ago
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I used 15x7 rally wheels but they are a little to wide if you get a flat tire on the rear lord help you ! this is all on 54 mercury I think should have no more than 15x6 with out tubbing 15x7 touch every so often Shakey Pete
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