1955 tires & wheels maximum size

[jimvan47]

I am wondering if anybody put a 16" or 17" wheel and tire on a 1955 and what is the maximum size they know will fit? I do understand backspacing and offset are critical. Dennis on another site gave me a 15" American Racing 5-spoke wheel that fits but does anybody know of a 16 or 17" specific 5-spoke that will fit. I am not a mechanical guy, just an old retired hospice RN that loves classics. Thank you.

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[55birdman]

I'm running 16"x 7" Ford Crown Vic wheels. The one question to ask is skirts or not. I can't run skirts with this combination.
17" should fit as well you might just need to adjust the aspect ratio....say 17" x 55 as opposed to 16" x 60 or 15" x 70 to keep the overall height similar.
I'm sure someone on the forum can provide a more precise answer to exact combinations.

 

[jimvan47]

I'm running 16"x 7" Ford Crown Vic wheels. The one question to ask is skirts or not. I can't run skirts with this combination.
17" should fit as well you might just need to adjust the aspect ratio....say 17" x 55 as opposed to 16" x 60 or 15" x 70 to keep the overall height similar.
I'm sure someone on the forum can provide a more precise answer to exact combinations.

THANK YOU. Any range of years for Crown Vic or any Crown Vic year? I have removed my skirts and just want to put on 5-spoke shiny for a different look. and keep the OEM as the second set. Any thoughts about maximum "safe" tread mm? Is 225 safe or better to be super safe with 205?

 

[55birdman]

I’m not sure of the years - hit the salvage yard and got what they had - early 90’s? I’m running 225/55r16 in the front and 235/60r16 in the rear. I did this in an effort to lower the front along with cutting about 3/4 of a coil off the front springs.

 

[55birdman]

I’m not sure of the years - hit the salvage yard and got what they had - early 90’s? I’m running 225/55r16 in the front and 235/60r16 in the rear. I did this in an effort to lower the front along with cutting about 3/4 of a coil off the front springs.

 

[55birdman]

PS I also had to space the front rims out ~3/8” to clear my brake calipers. I’m using ‘99 Mustang discs all around. The original 15”wheels would not clear this setup. Other discs might.

 

[jimvan47]

PS I also had to space the front rims out ~3/8” to clear my brake calipers. I’m using ‘99 Mustang discs all around. The original 15”wheels would not clear this setup. Other discs might.

THANK YOU. You da man. I had no idea changing wheels would be so complicated. I have also learned most wheel retailers have no clue what will fit the early birds. I do still have OEM drums all around.

 

[55birdman]

Happened to be under the Bird yesterday. The 3/8” wheel spacer in the front was necessary to clear the upper control arm not the brake caliper. But again I’m running a Lincoln disc/mustang caliper setup and with drums this might be different. In the rear you might be able to get another inch of rim inboard.