Hey guys, I picked up a set of 10x15 wheels at a local swap meet last fall and would like to put some new rubber on em for my Cutlass for spring time. They have a 3 inch backspacing. Whats the biggest tires I can fit in the stock wheel wells of a 1969 Cutlass? Stock suspension stock differential, all sheet metal unmodified. I'm looking at slicks such as the ET-Streets or possibly a tire like the Sportsman Pro or even a 10.5w drag radial. What are you guys running?

 

Yikes, unless you jack up the rear suspension I don't think they will fit at all.

I believe factory wheels had about 4" backspacing on a 7" wheel. So the outside of your wheels will be 4" farther out than stock.

 

I don't know '69's, but I think Nick's right.
That 3" of back spacing is gonna kill you.

I think my 15x10's have 5.5" of BS and they barely fit.

-Pete

 

I'm guessing the prior owner ran these with a narrowed rear end, from my calcs, it's going to stick 2" out the sides of the fender. Take a look at this calculator and check for yourself: http://www.rimsntires.com/specspro.jsp

You need a lot more backspace to run 10" wheels, like 5.5"

 

You can run a 275 60 15 drag radial on an 8" wide rim with 4-4.25" BS on a 68-69 Olds A body with the original or same width differential.


Do you really need more tire than that?

 

With 500+WHP on the street? Your damn right I do! . Plus a big part of it is for looks too.

I'd back half it and run a Ford 9 inch and 18.5x33's if I had the cash. This ain't no sunday car show cruiser.

 

There are plenty of guys making more power than that who compete with the 275 60 15 Mickey Thompson drag radial. Don't knock it until you try it.

 

I'm not really interested in the smallest that works, more so in the biggest that fits, period. Not just for performance but for looks. I want fat tires on my '69.

 

I have 285/40/18's and they fit up in the wheel well, with the lip rolled. I actually have a little room to spare on the frame side.

So, the 275's will fit as suggested. You may be able to get a 295 in the back with the right rims, but not with what you currently have.

I think MT makes 295/55/15 (28" tall) drag radials.