*****CALLING ALL OPEN FENDERED HOT RODDERS**** Okay, I've ordered my Firestone 8.20's, and I'm now about to order vintage wheels from Wheel Smith. I've asked fellow HAMB brothers about 8.20' with 10" wheels, and discovered that it doesn't look the best. So now I've Xed that idea!! I'm asking for so help deciding on 7"or 8", standard or reverse?? Please, please, please post 8.20's pix with rim width and backspacing specs. Thanks in advance guys!!
Back when I was a kid, everybody ran 8.20's on the rear and I'd guess nobody had a wheel over 6" wide.
Yea I'm kinda think that 8's would be stretching it a little that why I'm askin for input. Thanks man!!
Remember, 8.20's were standard on Cadillacs and Buicks back in the day. We used to put Ford centers in Buick rims to get wide wheels. I'm thinkin those wide rims were probably 6 inch.
I got the wheels from a junk yard of course and reversed them my self. The tires came from Coker Tire. They were at a swapmeet here and I saved a bunch of shipping by ordering them then.
So I see.... 7" maybe even wider than I want, the 5"s look pretty darn good! Any one out there have 7" that I could see?
I don't have a clue but certainly less than it was originally. I did use wheel adapters from the 4 1/2" axles to the 5 1/2" wheels. the moved the wheels out another 1 1/4". Space between body and tire seems about right to my expectations.
Well I think they look prefect!! My car has a 5 on 4.5 bolt pattern so the old ford/ Merc wheels is not an option as of now. I'm definitely thinking about the 5.5 reverse!! Thanks for the input
You can have rims custom made right here in NJ! Just call the Wheel Works 609-387-4488 tell Tim I sent you! He will make any front or back spacing you require any size or width wheel you want. He will also repair damaged steel or aluminum wheels.
The "rule of thumb" I'm happiest with is to size the wheel width according to the tread width, regardless of size, backspace, any of those distractions. So an 8.20 is typically going to have 5.5 tread width give or take. Good fit to a 5 to 6 inch wide rim, not too much bulge, not too little. You can cheat it up to an inch wider (again approximate, Don's example is a good one of taking it out to the acceptable max.) than tread width and still have decent sidewall bulge without the silly low rider 165 on 10" wide wheel look. Or take it down to 5" and not be too much the other way. To my eye, 4.5 might make it look just a bit too bulgey.
Yea, I've learned a lot from everyone's info. I'm thinking that even 7" is more side wall stretch than I'm lookin for. The 5.5" looks prefect!! This coupe pic that I found online is what I was lookin for... Thank everyone for takin there time to help a brother out!!!
Sure did!!! Lol!! What size and what backspacing? They look like the coupe I posted earlier. Anymore at an different angle?
what I hate about the Firestones, They are so hard to keep clean, around the outside edge. Is there a better brand, I know Firestones are "traditional."
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