I just come into possesion of a 1966 Ford Fairlane 500 and I was wondering what the biggest size wheel I could go without rubbing issues. I would like to run 18's. I was also wondering what the widest tire I could run in the front and back? Thanks
Joe

 

Large rims are for show only. They decrease the ability of the suspension to properly absorb shock. Some of the shock is distributed through the tire rubber and the sidewall. When you all but eliminate sidewall you increase the impact your suspension must absorb and suspension parts wear out faster. There's no way around the fact - but if you insist I'd go with 15" or 16" rims and you may get away in the rear with slightly wider tires, but in the front you don't want the tire width much wider than stock or you could end up rubbing the edge of the tire on the frame rail. The only way around is a tubbed and narrowed rear and major front frame redesigning. I ran a set of 235/70 R 15's on a '64 Galaxie and it was tight and I hadslight front tire rub which I usually countered by not steering tooextreme to either side if possible,, however the rear was fine. Chrome alone is usually a nice dress-up, but they make color anodized rims and tires with different colored sidewall rings (besides whitewalls). I've seen yellow, blue and red and I also believe there are others. Also lettered tires look pretty sharp and sporty (which is one thing you can't do well on a large rim).

 

did you find your size ? Ihave 67 fairlane going to run 17" rims what is biggest size I can run on front and rear ?

 

can any one help with biggest size tire i can run on my 67 fairlane with 17" rims front and rear.