Author Topic: Which Styled Steel Wheel? (Read 1293 times)

AzNick · « **on:** October, 17, 2010, 07:53:00 PM »

For my '66 Coupe...I bought 3 original 66's and 2 original 67's about 22 years ago with the plan of putting 2 66's on the front, 2 67's on the rear, and one '66 in the trunk. Chrome is real nice, but they a good cleaning, stripping, and repainting.

Question: Sell the above 14x5 or order a set of 15" new reproductions? I was thinking 15x6 SS wheels with 215/60-15 tires.

Does anyone have any decent pictures of that set-up on their car or have any input? Thanks. Nick

RyanG85 · « **Reply #1 on:** October, 18, 2010, 08:30:17 PM »

These are 15X7 Fronts and 15X8 Rears on my 65. 245s in the rear and 235s up front. Was just test fitting the Magnums from my 69 on there.

AzNick · « **Reply #2 on:** October, 19, 2010, 05:21:54 AM »

Thank you Ryan...I think the 215's will be safe, and i am going to go with the 15x6 SS wheels.

AzNick · « **Reply #3 on:** October, 19, 2010, 05:22:34 AM »

Does anyone have some good pictures of a 65-66 coupe with 15" SS wheels?

fordrule · « **Reply #4 on:** October, 19, 2010, 02:03:52 PM »

i think del65's is one of the better pics of one....i might be able to link it..

here you go

AzNick · « **Reply #5 on:** October, 19, 2010, 06:44:37 PM »

That is darn near PERFECT! Thank you!

So, what do you know about the car?
-wheels, tires
-suspension

I will do a search for it now...looks great.

fordrule · « **Reply #6 on:** October, 20, 2010, 01:06:04 AM »

I know he is selling the car and he has the info in his for sale thread

AzNick · « **Reply #7 on:** October, 20, 2010, 04:44:00 AM »

Quote from: fordrule on October, 20, 2010, 01:06:04 AM

I know he is selling the car and he has the info in his for sale thread

I looked for the FS thread...could not find it. Maybe it sold.

DEL65 · « **Reply #8 on:** October, 20, 2010, 06:30:10 AM »

I like the looks of the 15" wheels over the 14" because that size seems more proportional to the car. I have 15x7 ssw's with, IIRC,4.25 backspace made by Wheel Vintiques. 225/60's in the rear and 205/50's up front. 4 KYB' gas-a-justs. Rolled fenders for clearance. The rear is stock height with newer leaf springs. The front suspension is all new including an Arning drop and NPD 480 1" lowering springs #5310-1A. Overall the rear is the stock height and the front was lowered 3". Thanks.

Here are some hi-res photos.

AzPete · « **Reply #9 on:** October, 20, 2010, 09:49:53 AM »

Just curious.....what is the measurements from the fender lip to the ground.....and to the center of the wheel, front and rear?

DEL65 · « **Reply #10 on:** October, 22, 2010, 04:13:08 PM »

Lip to Ground:

RF 1 ft 11 in
LF 1 ft 11 1/4 in

RR 2 ft 1 1/4 in
LR 2 ft 1 1/2 in

Middle of Center Cap to Ground:

RF & LF 11 1/2 in
RR & LR 1 ft 1/8 in

AzPete · « **Reply #11 on:** October, 22, 2010, 04:45:55 PM »

Thanks....those measurements give a good check for someone to compare where they sit. The second measurement was meant (poor wording) to be fender to center of hub but no problem....it can be figured. I just rounded things off for simplicity.

So on yours,

Front is 23" fender to ground....the rear is 25 1/4" fender to ground.

The fender to center of axle is 11 1/2" front and 13 1/8" rear.

As a comparison, this is what mine measures.....sitting on Yokahama's, 205/60/15 front and 225/60/15 rear, and 620# front springs, lowered 1" with 4.5 leaf Grab-A-Track mid-eye rear leaf springs.

Front is 24 1/2" fender to ground...the rear is 26 1/2" fender to ground.

The fender to center of the axle is 13" front and 14 1/4" rear

AzNick · « **Reply #12 on:** October, 24, 2010, 07:12:49 AM »

I am going to order my wheels this week....

-Spoke with Kelly at Specialty Wheels, and he was a wealth of information. I decided on Specialty Wheel 15x6 SSW. Coker carries them, Mustangs Unlimited, and quite a few others. I called CJ Pony Parts, but they did not order from Specialty this time...they have Wheel Vintiques in stock.
-I am on the fence on wheel size. Kelly said 205/60-15 would be good and that I could safely go up to 225/60-15 without any fender modifications.
-Thanks to Del65 for a great phone conversation. He educated me on quite a few things I would not have known...#1, I need to have my SS wheels Lug-Centric balanced due to the way that they are welded/constructed. That was a good point.
-They were not the least expensive, but I will probably place my order with Coker unless someone here knows of someone else who carries Specialty products. They were about $200 more than CJ, but I would like to stick with Specialty due to their customer service and a great product made in the USA.

DEL65 · « **Reply #13 on:** October, 26, 2010, 04:29:31 PM »

Hi Pete, let me know if you need additional measurements or clarifications.

AzNick · « **Reply #14 on:** October, 26, 2010, 05:14:55 PM »

Del....message sent.

AzNick · « **Reply #15 on:** October, 28, 2010, 06:07:28 AM »

Thanks for everyone's help and input. I made my purchase last night. Kelly with Specialty Wheel gave me customer service above and beyond. I then chose Coker for the wheels and the tires...incredible pricing.

After much struggle, I decided on:
-15x7 Specialty Wheel SS wheels
-BFG T/A's, 225/60-15 in all corners
-Coker will lug-centric balance them (thanks Del65)
-chrome valve stem with rubber base

If I decide to go for the more stock look, they recommended a redline tire in a 205 for a taller and straighter sidewall.

The only thing that I am not 100% pleased with is putting a '65 all chrome SSW on a '66 car which should have a trim ring. Even though I think the all chrome looks better, it is not a correct look. I am glad that the 15's are available because I do agree that they are in better proportion with the car. The 14's get lost in that wheel well.

Now I just need to sell my original Styled Steel Wheels...

Thanks again.

daveSanborn · « **Reply #16 on:** October, 28, 2010, 12:46:15 PM »

Quote

225/60-15 in all corners

Please let us know how the front tires fit. I'm thinking they are too large and will interfere with your fender under certain turning conditions.

RustyRed · « **Reply #17 on:** October, 28, 2010, 01:16:34 PM »

I asked someone I know who builds Mustangs for a living if 215/60/15 would fly on the front of my car. His reply was "The front tire needs to be 24" the 215/60/15 is 25.2" I have used a 24.7" and it rubbed a little"

So I opted to go with the 205/60/15 on the front of my car, even though several folks have told me they run 215's with no issues.

AzNick · « **Reply #18 on:** October, 31, 2010, 07:15:02 PM »

I was told by multiple sources that there would be no rubbing issues.

crustycurmudgeon · « **Reply #19 on:** October, 31, 2010, 11:18:59 PM »

My take is that the consensus is that 215's would most likely be fine, 225's may or may not be ok depending on original factory tolerances, past damage, etc.

Good luck.

Frank

RustyRed · « **Reply #20 on:** November, 01, 2010, 05:41:30 AM »

Quote from: AzNick on October, 31, 2010, 07:15:02 PM

I was told by multiple sources that there would be no rubbing issues.

I've heard the same thing from lots of folks so you may be ok. I've also heard that rolling the fenders is not really a big deal so that would be your worse case.

DEL65 · « **Reply #21 on:** November, 02, 2010, 07:18:13 AM »

FWIW, I has 225/60/15's on the front with rolled the fenders. There was some rubbing on sharp turns. To eliminate this and drop the front a little more, I switched to 205's. Here's an old photo:

RustyRed · « **Reply #22 on:** November, 03, 2010, 10:18:27 AM »

My new wheels / tires came in yesterday. Got them on the car but can't get a good picture of them in the garage and it's too rainy to bring the car outside right now.

The 225's on 7 inch wheels for the back though are a vast improvement in appearance compared with the 205 - 14's that were on it. I opted to go with 205 - 15's on a six inch wheel on the front and they look much better as well.

If it's less rainy tomorrow I'll try to get some pictures.

AzNick · « **Reply #23 on:** November, 03, 2010, 01:03:15 PM »

I think I made the right decison with the 15x7s all the way around, but now I am kicking myself for not doing a 215 on the front. Ugh...I hate buyer's remorse....should I have done 15x6's....