65GS.com - Buick Gran Sport Enthusiasts!

Drivetrain => Rims & Tires => Topic started by: oldblueoval on November 24, 2017, 06:41:17 PM

Title: New shoes for the 65 GS.
Post by: oldblueoval on November 24, 2017, 06:41:17 PM
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! :help:
Title: Re: New shoes for the 65 GS.
Post by: dsags on November 24, 2017, 08:02:24 PM
Here’s a post. http://65gs.com/board/index.php?topic=3723.0 (http://65gs.com/board/index.php?topic=3723.0) Or just try using the Search tool near the top of the page.

Dan
Title: Re: New shoes for the 65 GS.
Post by: oldblueoval on November 24, 2017, 08:31:59 PM
Thanks dsag, that looks like I'll be fine.
Title: Re: New shoes for the 65 GS.
Post by: WkillGS on November 24, 2017, 09:28:53 PM
 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.
Title: Re: New shoes for the 65 GS.
Post by: GS66 on November 24, 2017, 10:00:40 PM
It was a big step but some of us have even gone to 17?s with good results.
Title: Re: New shoes for the 65 GS.
Post by: oldblueoval on November 24, 2017, 11:50:53 PM
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. :thumbsup:
Title: Re: New shoes for the 65 GS.
Post by: oldblueoval on November 24, 2017, 11:57:56 PM
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? :help:
Title: Re: New shoes for the 65 GS.
Post by: dsags on November 25, 2017, 07:30:54 AM
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. :thumbsup:

Some 17's on my car.
Title: Re: New shoes for the 65 GS.
Post by: WkillGS on November 25, 2017, 06:23:21 PM
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? :help:

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!
Title: Re: New shoes for the 65 GS.
Post by: dsags on November 25, 2017, 06:29:01 PM
Walt,

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

Dan
Title: Re: New shoes for the 65 GS.
Post by: WkillGS on November 25, 2017, 06:42:42 PM
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.
Title: Re: New shoes for the 65 GS.
Post by: dsags on November 25, 2017, 07:30:54 PM
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
Title: Re: New shoes for the 65 GS.
Post by: Rollaround on November 25, 2017, 07:35:07 PM
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?
Title: Re: New shoes for the 65 GS.
Post by: oldblueoval on November 25, 2017, 07:50:28 PM
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.  :notworthy:
Title: Re: New shoes for the 65 GS.
Post by: dsags on November 25, 2017, 09:06:07 PM
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.  :icon_biggrin: