1974 Scamp wheel and tire choice

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Tatanka

Tatanka

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First and foremost let me say thnk you ahead of time and I apologize if this is a repost.

I just need a direct answer for my question as each thing I read is slightly different.

So here it is!

I have chosen to put American Racing Torque Thrust D wheels on my 1974 Scamp it has 5x4.5 bolt pattern.

My questions are this, what size should I put on it and how much back spacing should I buy the wheels with (i.e. 3.75", 4'",4.5") and then on a side note I am torn on what type of tires to put on it.

Any information would be greatly appreciated!
 
I just got done dealing with the same issue you are currenly in. I purchased a set of Ridler 695's 17X8 with 4.5 backspace. The tires are Nitto NT555 245/45-17. I was assured by several people they would clear with tons of room, and all four tires rubbed. I had to bend the lip in the rear to get the rears to clear, and trim the front fenders on the front and rear of the fender and crank up the torsion bars. Had i went with a 5" backspace in the rear, the rear would have been fine. I have about an inch and half to an inch and three quarters between the tire and leaf spring. The fronts still rub on the bolt that goes into the inner fender. I would go with a 7" wide rim up front if i were you or a smaller diamter tire. I just bought a set of 215/40-17 for the front and I'm fairly confident it will solve my issue up front and allow me to lower the torsion bars to their origional location. As far as the Nitto tires, I love them. Tons of grip. Hopefully this will help you out.
 
I have 235-70-15's on the rear and don't have any problems.
I have 4.5 backspace with about an inch between the tire and the fenders and a quarter inch between the leafs and tires.

Without modding the wheelwells I could go 245 on the rear if I had a 4 inch backspace instead of 4.5
 
I have 255s on the rear of my 73 dart, which I think is the same as a scamp basically. The fronts are 215s, no clearance issues there. The rears are pretty tight though but they do fit.

Fronts are 3.5 backspacing and rears are 4.5 backspacing.
 
So here is my question to you guys, should I go with 4inches of backspacing on the back set of wheels? I am not wanting to do any modding to the wheel wells to get them to fit.

once again I appreciate all information you guys are giving me! Thank you!
 
I just put on 15x7 4.25 bs rallye wheels with 235 60 15 MT drag radials and they just fit , little less than 1/2 inch between tire and outer lip and about an inch or so from the leaf spring . Any bigger and I'd have to roll the lip on the fender . Seems every car is a bit different .
 
If you want the widest tire possible, I would go with 4.5 or 5. You WILL NOT clear a 245 wide tire with 4 inches of backspacing. I have 4.5 and had to roll the lip. A 4 inch backspace will put you another half inch into the fender. This is all with an 8 inch wide rim too. I have the same year car and just dealt with the headache. In order to wander your question better what do you want to do with the car? Pro touring? Drag? Street car?
 
Right now I am just making the car be a nice cruiser for the summer time, over the year I will probably try and turn the car into a more pro touring car… upgraded brakes and suspension and everything else…
 
krw74 said:
If you want the widest tire possible, I would go with 4.5 or 5. You WILL NOT clear a 245 wide tire with 4 inches of backspacing. I have 4.5 and had to roll the lip. A 4 inch backspace will put you another half inch into the fender. This is all with an 8 inch wide rim too. I have the same year car and just dealt with the headache. In order to wander your question better what do you want to do with the car? Pro touring? Drag? Street car?
Click to expand...
With 4.5 bs on an 8 inch rim how much space between the tire and the leaf spring ? On my car with 7 inch rim 4.25 bs and 235/60 15 I have 1/2 or 3/4 inch between tire and springs 1/2 inch from the lip on inner fender , if I rolled the lip another 1/2 clearance , not sure it could clear the spring though .
 
jerry6 said:
With 4.5 bs on an 8 inch rim how much space between the tire and the leaf spring ? On my car with 7 inch rim 4.25 bs and 235/60 15 I have 1/2 or 3/4 inch between tire and springs 1/2 inch from the lip on inner fender , if I rolled the lip another 1/2 clearance , not sure it could clear the spring though .
Click to expand...

I have at least an 1 1/2 between the tire and spring. I guess every car is a little different. Pretty odd though. I have an 8 3/4 rear end and the springs haven't been relocated. Interesting.
 
Hopefully since tantica and I have the same make model and year the information I have will be helpful. Seems like the only difference between a bodies should be tire to fender clearance. I could see a quarter inch variance, but it would be nice to know how everyone has different results.
 
He guys just wanted to post what I am thinking of doing...

So first option is running 15 x 6 in the front and then 15x7 in the rear

Second option is again 15x6 up front and then either 15x8 or 16x8 in the rear so my question is should I be using 4 inch backspace or 4.5 inch backspace for the rims.

And again thank you all fr helping out a newbie like me :)
 

so just an update

I went with American racing torque thrust D gray wheels in 15x6 up front and then 15x7 in the rear and they look AMAZING!

I will post pics as soon as I can scratch up some cash for tires, any ideas on what size tire I should go with and or brands? THANK YOU GUYS!
 
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