17" wheels and tires on 70-74 Cuda (Any links or pictures)?

Since my Cuda has 14" wheels it really limits the tire size on the rear. I like the size on the front, but the rear needs to be a touch taller. I like the wheels, but if I'm going to commit to new tires I want the size to look the way I want. So that being said, can anyone with 17" wheels and tires on a 70-74 Cuda post pictures and specs or send me a link if this has been posted before (I'm sure it has). Thanks in advance...

This is what I'm leaning towards so far after my research...

Front: 17x8 Torque Thrust 2 with 4.81" back space and 255/45-17 Nitto NT555
Rear: 17x8 Torque Thrust 2 with 4.81" back space and 255/50-17 Nitto NT555

Here is a close cousin with 17's. 1970 Challenger running AR Salt Flat Specials. 17x8 front with 235/45/17 and 17x9.5 rear with 265/40/17. These are ultra high performance Dunlops which are low profile. Done again I would go with 18's to get a bit more tire diameter with the ultra low profile tires. With "standard" tires, lots of selection in 17's.

I think you will have a hard time fitting 255's on the front w/o rub. OE was something like 215 or 225. Also check tire specs for wheel requirements... the 255's you are looking at may be a bit wide for an 8" width. Wheel to tire sizing gets more sensitive with the lower profile tires.

As you go wider in tires, backspacing needs to be dialed in just right. I measured and ordered my wheels with custom backspace. No extra charge, just took a couple of weeks.

Good luck and please post a pic.

@ahy, your combo looks good. I'm trying to get a little more side wall and not as low profile. My car has 245/60-14's all the way around which are 25.6" tall and 9.8" overall width which is really close to a 255/45-17 in height and width. The 255/45-17 is 25.97" tall and 10.08" wide so I figured it was close. The rear 255/50-17 is 27.09" tall and 10.43" wide which I'm hoping will tuck nice in the rear with the 4.81" back space 17x8's. I'm hoping someone is running something similar so I can see how it looks. [img:left][/img]
14x7's with 4" back space and 245/60-14's

I have 6 set of wheels for my 71, like lady's shoes you can have too many and would like to go for a set of 17's as well but the 15's with side wall look great.

Got a friend to Photo shop some wheels on to the car for me, like try before you buy. First pic is real, second is potoshop Cragar 15's and the last is a piss take.

I do like the taller sidewall as well. I was thinking some Goodyear F70-14's on the front and G70-14's on the rear with the car dropped and inch all the way around would look cool with the wheels I have. Those tires are so expensive for what they are though.

This is my Challenger with 17s

70BigBlockSE, looks good but what are the specs? Looking for rim width, back space and tire size. Also, are there any clearance issues with your combo. Thank you!

These are 17" Cragers. My 8" Wide on front 10" on back.

http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=74307.0

I ran 245/45/17 front and 255/45/17 rear on 17x8 inch rims on my 1970 challenger. They fit great. Nowadays they are just collecting dust though as I've gone to a 19x10 setup with 275/35/19's at all four corners.

Keep in mind, on front tire clearance you gain a ton of room on the larger diameter rims once you can clear the upper ball joint.

-Jon

will 18" clear the upper ball joint or do you have to go to 19s?

Thank you guys for the replies with specs. That really helps out. I think I've narrowed it down to these specs for my car as I'd like to run my car level with no rake and about an inch lower than stock...

245 or 255/45-17 with 17x8 4.81" back space wheels on the front.
255/50-17 with 17x8 4.81" back space wheels on the rear.

Mine are 17x9 with 5" backspacing front and back. Ended rolling the fender lips in the back. Running 275's all around.

Tom_440, Wow, with 5" front spacing those tuck really well. The 17x8's that I'm considering have 4.81" backspace which will give me 4.19" to the front so I should have plenty of clearance. What is the exact tire size you're running 275/??-17.

P.S., nice car!

Thanks!!
I'm running NT05's 275-40-17. If all goes well the Cuda will see some autocross this year.

These are forged Centerlines, 17 x 8 with 5 inch backspace. 1/2 inch spacers and extra long high strength lugs brings them out for a wider track. Tires are 245 x 45 x 17 Kumho 4X's. If they had been available back when I was wheel shopping I probably would have gotten the Year One Rally reproductions in 17 x 9 with 4 1/2 inch backspace.

Anything changed front suspension wise?

There is a TVS kit sitting on the floor next to the car

Well that's close!

I need to reassess my front wheel selection once my car goes back together. I definitely prefer to have more backspacing up front than I do today.

You are at 25.7" tall for the 275/40/17, I am at 26.0" for the 255/45/17 I have today. I'd like to get a little bit of a taller tire up front, but I love the lip showing on yours as well. Certainly worth considering the change.

Mine are Torq-Thrust II fronts 17x7(4"backspace) with Nitto 555 Extreme 235/45ZR17 and rear 17x8(4.75" backspace) with Nitto NT 450 275/50R17. I do have Doctor Diff 10.5" cobra disc kit on the back. Have plenty of clearance on leafs and fenderwell. Almost wish I would have gone to a 245 tire in front

@GoodysGotaCuda- I think thats the combo I'm leaning towards for the front of my car. I found 17x8 wheels with 4.5" BS that I like and the tire your running looks perfect. You gave the rear clearances and maybe I missed the front, but do you have any rubbing issues or did you have to massage any sheet metal?

@70BigBlockSE- I was considering 7" wheels for the front, but the lower profile wider tires won't fit on them. One tire/wheel dealer wouldn't even put a 245/45-17 on a 7" wheel.

So now I think I'm dialed in on;

17x8 4.5" BS with 255/45-17's on the front.
17x8 4.5" BS with 255/50-17's on the rear.

I think this will give me the low level look I'm looking for. I love the vintage Trans Am series road race cars and that's the look I'm after.