New shoes for the 65 GS.

[oldblueoval]

OK, so one of the first orders of business for our new family member ( 65 GS post ) is wheels and tires. The originals are long gone and the rollers it sits on are past junk so I'm thinking Torq-Thrust D or Torq-Thrust II, 15x7, w/ 3.75" backspace and 215/70-15 fronts, 245/60-15 rears. Anybody running something similar and how does it fit? THANKS!

[dsags]

Here’s a post. http://65gs.com/board/index.php?topic=3723.0 Or just try using the Search tool near the top of the page.

Dan

[oldblueoval]

Thanks dsag, that looks like I'll be fine.

[WkillGS]

 5" backspacing on a 7" wheel should center the tire in the wheelwell. 3.75" will put it close to the fender lip, but might fit the 245.

[GS66]

It was a big step but some of us have even gone to 17?s with good results.

[oldblueoval]

I really like the look of 17's. The tires are actually a little cheaper but the wheels are a little more money. The big wheel lo-pro tire gives anything a more modern look.

[oldblueoval]

WkillGS, they have an 8" wheel with a 4.5 backspace, that would move the outer edge in a 1/2" and probably make those 245 tires look better. Opinion?

[dsags]

I really like the look of 17's. The tires are actually a little cheaper but the wheels are a little more money. The big wheel lo-pro tire gives anything a more modern look.

Some 17's on my car.

[WkillGS]

WkillGS, they have an 8" wheel with a 4.5 backspace, that would move the outer edge in a 1/2" and probably make those 245 tires look better. Opinion?

I run 255/60-15's with Buick 15 x 7 wheels on my 66's. Those wheels have 4-3/8" backspace, and tires are 'snug'... meaning they may rub the fender on one side if the rear isn't perfectly centered. There's more room on the inside near the frame.....so a 5" backspace would be near perfect for a 7"  wheel, or 5.5" for a 8".

65's have the same frame dimensions but there is a little more room at the fender lip than the 66's, I'll guess there may be an additional 1/4"-1/2"?

The 8" wheel with 4.5" b.s. is still about an inch from the ideal 5.5". It 'might' fit your 65. Do you have the stainless wheelwell moldings? If not, you can bend up the inner edge of the fender lip for more clearance.

Maybe the guys here with aftermarket wheels on their 65'scan post their rim width and backspace!

[dsags]

Walt,

Aren’t the ‘66 rear ends an inch wider than the ‘65’s ?

Dan

[WkillGS]

Walt,

Aren’t the ‘66 rear ends an inch wider than the ‘65’s ?

Dan

Pretty sure my late 65 GS rear is the same width as my 66's and a 67 Sportwagon rear I have. I do have a 64 Olds F85 rear than is about an inch narrower. The Chevelle 12 bolt rear in my blue 66 is also the narrower width.

[dsags]

My understanding is that mid-year in the ‘66 models the rear axle assembly was widened about an inch. Of course there’s always the chance I’m wrong.

Dan

[Rollaround]

Dan, the new shoes and rims look great and I love the car color. I can’t help but notice a white substance piled or laying on your lawn....what is it?

[oldblueoval]

No wheel lip molding on mine so I could do the roll the lip trick. gonna spend some quality time with the tape measure before I order anything. 

[dsags]

Dan, the new shoes and rims look great and I love the car color. I can’t help but notice a white substance piled or laying on your lawn....what is it?

That’s NOT talcum powder.