1969 442 Widest Tire - few questions - Driver's Inc opinions please
 

Hey all,

I picked up a set of 325-30-19s for DIRT CHEAP...literally $25 for the pair off the 'Bay for mock up purposes. With a little bit of frame sectioning I can get that sucker in there.

However, after reading some threads last night I noticed 305 width tires fit with little work under the '68-72 A bodies. That got me thinking a little bit. I don't car too much about rolling the fender, I will do that if need be. My big dilemma now lies on the actual wheel tire combo.

Originally I wanted 18s front/19s rear, but I am a very aggressive driver on my toys and I also live in NJ (those who live here know exactly what I mean....our roads are awesome! :faint: :rolleyes: ) That in mind, for rear wheels I am now torn between the following:

305/35-18s --> 12" section width/26.4" overall diameter/4.2" sidewall
305/30-19s --> 12" section width/26.2" overall diameter/3.6" sidewall

The 325/19s fall in the middle on sidewall height at around 3.83-ish"

So basically I am installing the rear today and I know the wheels will be Rushforth Rated-Xs - period, the end! I have wanted this wheel since the second I saw it. :hail: :hail: :hail:

I would really appreciate some opinions from those with these profile tires...how was the ride, is the extra .5" of sidewall really going to make much of a difference?

If I can stay 18's/19's that would be ideal. Shoot I may even consider 19's 20's if I could see how they look. JayR's been trying to swing me that way since our phone convos.

Driver's Inc, I could use some help! I would like to buy the rears first then save up a little money and eventually buy the fronts (trying to pay off credit card debt from my wedding so most of the tax return will go toward that, but I can peel away a little for a pair of wheels and tires! :thumbsup: )

I appreciate anyone's help in this matter - again wheels will be Rated-Xs but I am not sure between polished or brushed lip now...saw the brushed last night during my search and it screwed me up again...lol :willy: :willy:

For reference, here's the car:

http://i908.photobucket.com/albums/a.../Turowski1.jpg

Polished Lip:

http://i908.photobucket.com/albums/a...W31/RatedX.jpg

Brushed Lip:

http://www.norcaltruck.com/01_misc_p...Rated_X__5.JPG

As seen in this thread: https://lateral-g.net/forums/show...hforth+Rated-X

This is on a '70 Chevelle and may very well be the combo I go with...I just need some guidance.

http://www.norcaltruck.com/01_misc_p..._X%20%2006.JPG


Thanks in advance!
Dave

No problem! The issue I have with 305/30/19 is the overall height. Basically your front tires will have a taller sidewall than the rear. A 245/40/18 is ~25.7" tall with 3.85" sidewall height and a 275/35/18 is a tad shorter. A 305 will fit with the right BS and the stock exhaust out of the way. If you want to stagger with the 19" wheel we will have to find you a different tire. The BFG KDW2 is available in a 295/35/19 with a O.D. of 27". That would give you 4" of sidewall height and look good!!

Hey Justin! Geez, that was quick!

Could you shoot me a PM on a pair of 19 inch Rated-Xs (matte black, screws and polished lip - just like in the above pics) with the correct backspace and 295/35-19 tire?

I gotta wait till my refund check gets here...if I ever get my filing forms :mad: but I would like to get at least the backs now, so I can get the 442 out of the garage.

Thanks!!!

PM sent!

PM replied! One more questions I forgot about...can i also get the polished lip cleared?

i would go taller in the rear. im going to run a 315/35/20.

here you go.....

http://i858.photobucket.com/albums/a...i/IMG_9148.jpg

See now you got me thinking on the 20's on the rear and 19's in the front!!!

Thanks so much for posting your pics! What's the suspension set-up on this car and what is the size rim/backspace?

Btw, more pics please!

Thanks!

19x9.5/20x11 275/35/19 315/35/20 NT05's

the rear is a narrowed custom deal and the fronts havent been test fit yet so i dont have any accurate backspacing numbers for you. either way the 18/19s or 19/20s are nice, i just think the rears need a little more than 26.5 if the stance is right. i had to build new tubs to make it all work though.

Tim

OK, I figured as much on the tubs...I am still open to a different rim size/tire combo. I haven't ordered them just yet but your set-up has really got me thinking now! I will be looking your build up shortly...thanks!

Bandit Dave, I have 20x11's on my rear with a 305 and I love the way it sits and drives. I have coilovers on the rear and my shop guy nailed the ride height and dialed in the perfect compression on the coilovers. So, I have no complaints about my ride quality. All I did was roll my fenders and they tuck up under pretty nice. I think the 20's on the rear will be perfect. Especially on an A-body. I like the 20's on the A-body rears since the are larger cars. I run a 305/30/20 on my Chevelle. Take a look and tell me what you think. I cannot comment on the front, as far as 19's go, because I have 20 on the front too. :_paranoid