Rims and tire help
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Joined: Jul 2018
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Rims and tire help
i have a 68 olds 98 and am wondering will I be able to fit 17x8.5 rims off a 96 impala SS with 50 series tires all around? I know the rims fit. Tested today but don’t want to blow money on tires if they will not fit. Thank you guys alot
Old(s) Fart
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 50,803
From: Northern VA
If you are talking about the stock Impala SS wheels, they have a 6mm positive offset - about 1/4". That's not enough to matter. I know that 235/70-15s fit the front just fine, and 275/60-15s fit the back. Both of these are about 28" in diameter.
A 50-series tire at 17" is going to be way too small in diameter, at least in any section width that fits the front. A 235/50-17 (if they even make that size) is nearly two full inches smaller in diameter at about 26.25". That's going to look lost in the front wheel well, and the 4.5" sidewall will look like a rubber band on the rim. Even a 255/50-17 would be only 27" in diameter and likely will rub on turns. I don't know if you can get 235/60-17s, but that would be just over 28". Even a 235/55-17 would be a better choice for the front. An 8.5" wheel may or may not fit the front at full lock, depending on the tires you pick.
Obviously at the rear you have more flexibility, but the fender skirts might be a problem. My 67 Delta 88 has more open rear fenders and the 275s look perfect. If you went with 235/55-17s on the front, 255/50-17s on the back would be just about the same diameter. Again, I do not know if they will clear the fender skirts. I also don't know if anyone actually makes tires in these sizes. Most 17" tires run about 26" in diameter unless they are truck tires.
A 50-series tire at 17" is going to be way too small in diameter, at least in any section width that fits the front. A 235/50-17 (if they even make that size) is nearly two full inches smaller in diameter at about 26.25". That's going to look lost in the front wheel well, and the 4.5" sidewall will look like a rubber band on the rim. Even a 255/50-17 would be only 27" in diameter and likely will rub on turns. I don't know if you can get 235/60-17s, but that would be just over 28". Even a 235/55-17 would be a better choice for the front. An 8.5" wheel may or may not fit the front at full lock, depending on the tires you pick.
Obviously at the rear you have more flexibility, but the fender skirts might be a problem. My 67 Delta 88 has more open rear fenders and the 275s look perfect. If you went with 235/55-17s on the front, 255/50-17s on the back would be just about the same diameter. Again, I do not know if they will clear the fender skirts. I also don't know if anyone actually makes tires in these sizes. Most 17" tires run about 26" in diameter unless they are truck tires.
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