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Will the difference matter between these two wheels

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269 views 11 replies 6 participants last post by  MOONRNR  
#1 ·
Need to get new tires so it's the perfect time to move up to 15". I used Les Schwab's thing to try wheels on my '64 Galaxie convertible and sticking to the same ones I have now. Was shocking they had my car to try wheels on actually!

So there are 2 or the same wheels but 2 differences between them, will it matter that much? Also one side is going to be stock style off a '51? Vic 6 or 5.5" wide and the other side will be the modular 97s. Like it has been for a long time. There is about an $80 difference in price, the top one being the lower priced. Sad to think I paid $100 for 4 in 2004!

Thanks for input

Wheel One
15"
5x4.5
6" wide
3.50 backspacing
0 wheel offset


Wheel Two
15"
5x4.5
7" wide
3.75 backspacing
-6mm wheel offset
 
#2 ·
I can't say for sure but if it were me I'd try to keep the same wheels on an "axle" (the front doesn't have an axle of course). But I'd want both fronts to be identical and both rears to be identical. If the fronts are mismatched, it might steer funny. If the rears are mismatched, it's not great for the differential because they will be turning at slightly different speeds. In either case I think tire wear would not be great. The 1" difference in width would affect the tire height "some", since the wider rim would allow the tire to be wider and shorter. Not sure how much.

I think different sizes on the fronts and rears are okay.

Pat
 
#3 ·
I have had 2 different rims on the car for the past almost 10 yrs now. Haven't noticed a difference in wear or other issues. Possibly if I won that lottery and took a road trip across the USA like I've always wanted to do, then I bet an issue would show up if it was going to. The reason for new tires now is more time passed than wear so the tires are too old. Went to get one balanced as it had been bouncy and found out it was just falling apart and way past the expiration date. Not even sure what the steel wheels are width wise on the passenger side but driver's side are 6 inch. Trying to stick to as close as I can. But wondered about that 1/4" difference in offset and and back spacing on the chrome style wheels. I had thought of 15s in back 14 front but still I'd have different wheels and one size spare. But too, now days I have the money to get a tire fixed and not have to run a 15 and a 14 for a long time because of not having the same as on the car like the good ol days!


Image
 
#6 ·
The tires are all 205 70R 14
The black are stock, the others of course are not but are 6" wide as I just recently measured the other 2 I have in storage. It just looks half flat to me as all my tires normally do. Many moons ago I had the opposite on the car, wide US mags and the tires were a bit narrower than should of been but they didn't clear. I got rid of those years ago as for some reason I always had to re-tighten them. Had same ones on a van and never had to.

Tourging919 is correct, it's all the same car.

The black one may be 5.5 I don't even remember now, been too long.

Image


Image
 
#7 ·
Just realized after looking at the new wheels I want, that the 15" are minimum 7" from what I have found, which makes the steel wheels yet another inch narrower than the shiny wheels. Don't think I want to go that big of a difference. So now it's looking for stock style looking rims in 15" at the very least 6" but like to have the same as the chrome. Already had the other 2 powder coated sadly and now won't be using them and that sure wasn't cheap! eek! Still cheaper than the wheels I've been seeing on Jegs and Summit for the steel look.

Another difference I notices is the 15s are 4" backspacing where the 14s were/are 3.75. Any issues in that difference? Forget what that other measurement is. Only remember -6 I think, on the 14s. Not sure what tires i'm getting yet as far as size. Already hit the fender well if I'm cranking the wheel and hit a dip, like maybe turned most all the way coming off of an incline. Doesn't really hurt anything, it's not a show car, but the noise freaks others out. Not often I do that but it happens.

Anyone running 15s on the front and if so, what tire size? I'll be getting Cooper Cobra with white lettering this time round. Tired of black, going back to white lettering I had when I first got the car. Sadly no Road Huggers so can't totally relive my youth! :ROFLMAO: Looks like the smallest is 225 70R15. Would that be good as I'd be worried the 235 may be too wide for front.

Is there a lower priced option for stock wheel look or they all bout the same as jegs and summit? I did find the shiny wheels at discount tires for about $10 or so less than these guys though.
 
L
#8 ·
225-70R15 is a good size if you are trying to get close to stock. So is 215-75R15. Clearance to the upper control arms should be no problem with 4" back spacing.
If you want 15" steel wheels check Marketplace for 1980s Ford Crown Vic or Lincoln Town Car wheels. Though they don't have nubs for holding the small hubcaps.
 
#9 ·
Young lady, you are beating yourself to death.

Tire sizing and dimensions are usually on the tire manufacturers sites -
​
1st you need (IMO) to ensure both front and rear steering/suspension is good (incl spring rates) and the vehicle is at or going to arrive at the trim height/rake you want.

Wheels can be fabricated to meet your needs.
 
#10 · (Edited)
@MOONRNR I'm working on keeping that typical wishy-washy female reputation up to par! 😁 Normally I go in, say I want this. Only I'm doing one side one thing and the other different so not the norm. But I will get it figured out!! Wow, had no idea they had these kind of tools!
 
#11 ·
@LARSOFVT I'll see what I can find out there, that will save me some over buying new for sure. Thanks for the type of car wheels need to come from. On the springs etc, pretty much everything has been replaced spring wise and front end components although some done a bit over 20 yrs ago. Just trying to get close to each side being same size wheels and keep the black on one side.
 
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