66 ss wheel/tire question...PB Pro-touring dropmember

[66C06]

Hey folks, I have a 66 step that I will be doing a pro-touring frame off restomod to and I had a couple of questions...

First a little bit of insight to the planned build:

-frame off resto
-Porterbuilt pro-touring front/rear coilover DM
-C6 ZO6 brakes all around (looking at boris' kit)
-Either a wet sump LS7 or 427 LS3 Stroker
-TCI 6x 6 speed (modded 4L80e) with electronic paddle shifters (when not using the paddles it works as a regular 4spd auto controlled on the column shifter).
-Moser built rear end (true-trac, 3.73's, 33 spline

What I am trying to do is mimic the paint scheme of my ZO6. I found that if I use the ZO6 brakes and stay with the corvette bolt pattern I can use the same wheels that I have on my vette. They come in sizes from 18-20" and range from 9.5 to 12" width. I am having trouble trying to decipher which wheels will fit under the step side stock fender with out doing a mini tub. They offer a big range of offsets which is great. Ideally I would like to do a 20x12 on the rear and 20x9.5 on the front. What size tire would I have to run to fit a 12" wide wheel? I would like to have as much sidewall as I can fit. If worse comes to worse I can run a 20x10 rear and front if necessary. Here is a link to the wheel specs (they will be the deep concave): http://www.forgestar.com/v2/wheelscf5.php

See wheels on vette below: 19x10 front 19x12 rear

[luvbowties]

Originally Posted by 66C06

Hey folks, I have a 66 step that I will be doing a pro-touring frame off restomod to and I had a couple of questions...

First a little bit of insight to the planned build:

-frame off resto
-Porterbuilt pro-touring front/rear coilover DM
-C6 ZO6 brakes all around (looking at boris' kit)
-Either a wet sump LS7 or 427 LS3 Stroker
-TCI 6x 6 speed (modded 4L80e) with electronic paddle shifters (when not using the paddles it works as a regular 4spd auto controlled on the column shifter).
-Moser built rear end (true-trac, 3.73's, 33 spline

What I am trying to do is mimic the paint scheme of my ZO6. I found that if I use the ZO6 brakes and stay with the corvette bolt pattern I can use the same wheels that I have on my vette. They come in sizes from 18-20" and range from 9.5 to 12" width. I am having trouble trying to decipher which wheels will fit under the step side stock fender with out doing a mini tub. They offer a big range of offsets which is great. Ideally I would like to do a 20x12 on the rear and 20x9.5 on the front. What size tire would I have to run to fit a 12" wide wheel? I would like to have as much sidewall as I can fit. If worse comes to worse I can run a 20x10 rear and front if necessary. Here is a link to the wheel specs (they will be the deep concave): http://www.forgestar.com/v2/wheelscf5.php

See wheels on vette below: 19x10 front 19x12 rear

Are you asking re: size wheels/tires you can run on an unmodified wheel housing and tub on a 1966 stepside?

If you are going to lower the rear any significant amount--and even if you do not--you will run into a limited space/width available for wider wheels/tires. With stock fenders and tubs, 7.5" to 8" will be about maximum width that will fit underneath. Even using 8 inch pickup/suburban/van/4wd-type rally wheels, they will rub with any decent size tires, as body sinks or sways either way, on the top sides of tire. There just is inadequate room--side to side--for a wider wheel/tire combo.

Possibly the simplest way to run wider wheels/tires is to either buy widened fenders(available only in fiberglas, based on what I found), or by widening the existing fenders; end result looks same either way you go. I, personally prefer the idea of widened fenders over widened tubs with the necessary underneath frame mods that must accompany them. YMMV.

[66C06]

Originally Posted by luvbowties

Are you asking re: size wheels/tires you can run on an unmodified wheel housing and tub on a 1966 stepside?

If you are going to lower the rear any significant amount--and even if you do not--you will run into a limited space/width available for wider wheels/tires. With stock fenders and tubs, 7.5" to 8" will be about maximum width that will fit underneath. Even using 8 inch pickup/suburban/van/4wd-type rally wheels, they will rub with any decent size tires, as body sinks or sways either way, on the top sides of tire. There just is inadequate room--side to side--for a wider wheel/tire combo.

Possibly the simplest way to run wider wheels/tires is to either buy widened fenders(available only in fiberglas, based on what I found), or by widening the existing fenders; end result looks same either way you go. I, personally prefer the idea of widened fenders over widened tubs with the necessary underneath frame mods that must accompany them. YMMV.

Would narrowing the rearend help gain any clearance? The frame is going to be about 5.5" off of the ground once the dropmember coilovers are added. I figured I could get away with running a 20x12 with a 295/40/-20 tire...hell if I could fit a 20x10 with a 275/40-20 under it I would be happy. I would just need to figure out what offset to order.

[luvbowties]

Originally Posted by 66C06

Would narrowing the rearend help gain any clearance? The frame is going to be about 5.5" off of the ground once the dropmember coilovers are added. I figured I could get away with running a 20x12 with a 295/40/-20 tire...hell if I could fit a 20x10 with a 275/40-20 under it I would be happy. I would just need to figure out what offset to order.

Don't think that would help. If you measure, with a simple tape, the width between inside of fender and the inside/frameside obstruction(s) to TIRE WIDTH, you should see what I am referring to. Just imagine there is no differential-end involved; then determine max width the 'boxed' area will accept. Was quite disappointing to me, as well. Even measured a fleetside, found it had a tad more clearance, but not very much--maybe 1/2 inch.

[66C06]

Originally Posted by luvbowties

Don't think that would help. If you measure, with a simple tape, the width between inside of fender and the inside/frameside obstruction(s) to TIRE WIDTH, you should see what I am referring to. Just imagine there is no differential-end involved; then determine max width the 'boxed' area will accept. Was quite disappointing to me, as well. Even measured a fleetside, found it had a tad more clearance, but not very much--maybe 1/2 inch.

what does it measure out to, if you can recall off the top of your head? I'm in Afghanistan so I can't measure mine until I get home and start tearing it down! can't wait!