1966 valiant rim width with spacers

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273valiant

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Hey guys.

every post is somewhat helpful but always specific to that posters rear end, ride height, use case etc.
So I though I would dig into the knowledge bank here.
I’ve got a 4 door 1966 valiant. 7.25 rear end
Front has disk brake swap in progress. To match bolt pattern I did the 1” wheel adaptor in the rear. I have measured 6.5” from face of the spacer to the leaf and only 1.5” from the face of the spacer to fender lip. I could roll the fender and get maybe another 1/4 inch or so.
What I wanted to do is stuff 15x8 With 5.5” backspace in the rear and 15x7” with 4 or 4.5 backspace in the front
I am now thinking this isn’t doable given the overall space is 8” and looking for input as far as width goes in the rear.
To help, no I don’t want to shift the springs over! Looking at some jegs wheels currently but might have to look elsewhere.
Thanks for the help

6015FC26-997A-4379-A58F-FEF5DA4CDB26.jpeg
 
Nope. Won't work. I don't think anyone has stuffed a 8"wide wheel under a 66 without modification. You put a tire on that rim and it will be worse. I hope someone can prove me wrong.
 
Nope I think you nailed it :(
Going down to 7” is fine if it means no mini tub or leaf relocation.
So 7” with 5.5” backspace could work?
You will need to measure to make sure. My 15x7's are 4.5" backspace. Edit. I think these black Rallys are 4" backspace
 
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Nope I think you nailed it :(
Going down to 7” is fine if it means no mini tub or leaf relocation.
So 7” with 5.5” backspace could work?
That still puts the rim right at the lip of the wheelwell. Mount a tire and you're slicin' rubber.
Even 6" of backspacing on a 7" wheel only gives you 1/2" clearance on each side according to your measurements- and that's before you add the thickness of the wheel lip (a 7' wide wheel is closer to 7 1/2" wide). The sidewall of a mounted tire will protrude more than that. Plus you need to accommodate sidewall flex when cornering... I think you're looking at 6" rims, but I don't know if you can get enough offset on a 6". Those adapters are killing you here.
Now this is all based on your measurements- 8" of wheelwell clearance, lip to leaf. 1 1/2 to lip, 6 1/2 to the leaf from the adapter face. Double check your measurements, because I know guys run 7" wide rims on early As all the time- but I think those adapters are going to limit your ability to find rims with enough backspace.
 
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That still puts the rim right at the lip of the wheelwell. Mount a tire and you're slicin' rubber.
Even 6" of backspacing on a 7" wheel only gives you 1/2" clearance on each side according to your measurements- and that's before you add the thickness of the wheel lip (a 7' wide wheel is closer to 7 1/2" wide). The sidewall of a mounted tire will protrude more than that. Plus you need to accommodate sidewall flex when cornering... I think you're looking at 6" rims, but I don't know if you can get enough offset on a 6". Those adapters are killing you here.
Now this is all based on your measurements- 8" of wheelwell clearance, lip to leaf. 1 1/2 to lip, 6 1/2 to the leaf from the adapter face. Double check your measurements, because I know guys run 7" wide rims on early As all the time- but I think those adapters are going to limit your ability to find rims with enough backspace.
It would be better to find some small bolt wheels and not use adapters or change to large bolt circle.
 
I agree with the above, I was being conservative in my measurements but I didn’t want to get trapped. I had also measured to the leaf strap in case it interferes with the wheel. That ate up about 1/4” or more, I had found some 7” wheels with 6” backspace but again yes tight, I can trim the fender lip for another 1/2 inch. And stretch tires a bit.
I guess in the end the goal obviously is to be as wide as I can for feel and wheel options.

as for the bolt pattern I have already swapped the front to 4.5 with disc brakes so no going backwards! Maybe later swap the rear end but not this year.
 
I wasn't bashful in flaring my wheel wells. Someone mentioned once that now it resembles a BMW. Before doing the wheel wells, I actually had A60-13 inch tires on slot aluminum rims mounted on the rear end reversed (rims inside out) so the tires would fit inside the wheel wells.

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I have 15x7 on the rear of my 66 Vailant, 4.125 BS. They fit with no problem 245/60-15's. Every car is different so make sure to measure carefully.
 
Oops. Forgot to mention that I agree, 15x8 is a very tough if not no-go on your car without moving stuff.
 
Looks like, with the spacers, I’m stuck no matter the rim size to an offset that only leaves 1.5” on the front. I am a machinist by trade so I could turn the spacers down a bit and trim the stock studs. Trying to make it easy but like everything on this car it’s harder than it should be!
 
Looks like, with the spacers, I’m stuck no matter the rim size to an offset that only leaves 1.5” on the front. I am a machinist by trade so I could turn the spacers down a bit and trim the stock studs. Trying to make it easy but like everything on this car it’s harder than it should be!
Then, as a machinist, why not just redrill your axles and drums and be rid of the adapters completely? Not much more work than modding your adapters- pressing out studs, cutting them down, shaving the adapter, etc. You say it's only temporary until you change rears. Then the wheels you get will most likely work with your planned future rear end upgrade, and you won't have to repurchase them when you do swap rears. Buy once, put the saved money towards something else...
 
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Then, as a machinist, why not just redrill your axles and drums and be rid of the adapters completely? Not much more work than pressing out studs, cutting them down, shaving the adapter, etc. You say it's only temporary until you change rears. Then the wheels you get will most likely work with your planned future rear end upgrade, and you won't have to repurchase them when you do swap rears. Buy once, put the saved money towards something else...
8.75 axles redrilled
 
Ya no comment on the axel re drill. That’s not happening. Also how on earth could that be less work then turning down the adaptor! Crazy.
Anyways bright side is I shouldn’t have been measuring after a few beers. I have more space then I thought once I got everything together again today. I’ll have no problem getting 7” wheels in there.
I’ll post when it’s all done with what I ended up fitting
 
I have ran a 14x7 with 4.25 back space, my buddy runs a 245 60 15 and now a 255 60 15 on a 15x7 with 4 3/8 back space. But that is a tight I mean tight fit, but works. That’s with a 8 3/4 axle small bolt pattern. You’ll probably just have to add the spacer size to the overall back space you need. Good luck.
 
Ya no comment on the axel re drill. That’s not happening. Also how on earth could that be less work then turning down the adaptor! Crazy.
Anyways bright side is I shouldn’t have been measuring after a few beers. I have more space then I thought once I got everything together again today. I’ll have no problem getting 7” wheels in there.
I’ll post when it’s all done with what I ended up fitting
I didn't say "less work". I said "not much more" work. Pop the diff cover& pull the c clips. Slide the axles out. But do what you want. Just sayin, it'll save you from having to buy different offset wheels again when you do your axle swap. But, it's your money.
 
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