Hi All, I am doing a 70 Vista Cruiser and am looking to put 18" wheels on it and wondering anyone has installed them before. I am looking to install 18X9.5 with 5.5" backspacing with a 295/45 18 tire on the back and 18X8 with 4.5 backspacing with a 245/45 18 tire on the front. It looks like the rears should fit by my measurements but looking for input on people who have done this. Thanks

 

What is the suspension stance plans? You should be able to fit that tire but you need to triple check the BS measurements. You are talking about a 28.4" tall tire that is 11.5" wide. Its a huge tire marketed for trucks and SUVs. If you plan on lowering the car much you might rethink to something in a 285-40 size.

Another thing is the front tire size. I thought that was the size I wanted for my 66 but when I brought one home and set it under the car it just looked too tall. I settled on a 285-40 and 255-40-18 and it was perfect for the look I was after. See below

I look forward to seeing some pics. It will give me some inspiration for mine.

final660091.jpg?

 

Thanks for the reply. I have hotchkis 1" lowering springs and won't know exact stance till all together. I had a 29.5/10.5 Slick on a 15x10 with 5" BS and it barely cleared on the inside. I want as much side wall as possible with the 18's as I don't want the rubberband look. I tlked with a guy with a green 71 Joe I believe his name was and he had some big rubber on his 18's. I want to order wheels soon that is why I am looking for this information. Looking at some Billet Specialties that take around 6 weeks to get.
By the way you hit the stance on your 66 perfect. Love the look!! I hope my car turns out as well.

 

Thanks I'm a big proponent of you can mess up a lot of stuff in a build but get stance and tire combo right and still get a nice looking car. On the other hand a really nice car can be ruined with wrong tire combo and stance.

Your wagon should look mean with a 1" drop and those big meats.

 

I hope I hit the wheel/tire combo and the stance to look mean!!

Do you or anyone else have a store that you buy wheels at a rasonable price? I am looking at some Billet Specialties Wheels just looking to get a decent price. Thanks

 

I have owned several sets of Billet Specialities wheels but never bought new. My last 2 sets of Billets were Intros wheels I bought them direct. I am pretty sure Paradise Rod and Custom "PRRC here" are Billet Specialties dealers. They are members here you might give them a shout to see what they can do for you.
https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums/members/prrc.html

So what style number are you thinking about?

 

Thanks for the information. I am looking at the PS70 street smart fast lane style. I like simple design (not real busy) that are easy to keep clean.

 

That will be a good looking wheel but there is no such thing as a easy to clean billet wheel. The finish is so nice from the factory you will always want to keep it that way and its no simple task.

 

Thats the one. Keeping one of these cars clean is a job when you drive them.

 

I have 245/40/17's on 8" rim up front and 285/40/18's on 10" iirc in the rear on my 70 442 tribute. I forget the backspacing on the rear but mine are awfully close to my exhaust pipes. Just make sure you get the right backspacing.

Pics of mine with the grey Foose Legends are in the "Show your Wheels" thread.

Call Jon @ DriverzInc
He's very well known across the pro-touring forums and I tried, and still couldn't beat his prices anywhere except one place that matched it. He has the reputation of making all his customers VERY happy, so I went with him. .

 

Thanks for the information. I have ordered the wheels and tires and hope I measured right. I got 18X9.5 with 5.5 backspacing and 18X8 with 4.5 backspacing with the 295/45R 18 and 245/45R 18 tires. I got them from Mr. wheel deal which was very reasonable. He was very good with comunications and answered all my questions. I was concerned with the exhaust but mine are coming out the sides and don't look like will be a problem. Thanks

 

Post pics when you get the new shoes on.
It's amazing what new rims and tires can do to revamp an old cars glory.

The REAL nice thing about this is being able to put some real big beefy brakes on now.

 

Here is my 71 with 285-45-18 on 9 inch wheels in back and 255-45-18 on 8 inch wheels in front. I really like the stance it gives the car. I was originally going to use 245-45-18 on the front but wanted the extra rubber in the front so it didnt look too low profile.

 

How did I miss this thread? I am running 18X9's all the way around on my Custom Cruiser. They have 5 inch BS. And the tires are 275/40-18's. The car handles great with them. I am hoping to go larger in the rear but need wider wheels to do that.