Will these rear wheels fit my 55 hardtop???

[Hafrod]

I bought a full set of 18 inch Coddingtons, used for $450 bucks off an S-10! Fronts are 18x8s and rears are 18x10s with a 5 1/2 backspace. I have a rear end I could use that is 58 in wide instead of the stock 60 in ,if I need to. I have the body off the frame rite now so I can't just stick em' on, or I would! I'm thinkin' they won't fit but I can put them on my Grand National! Will these 10s fit the rear on my 55 hardtop?:confused:

[chevman57]

They might work with your stock rearend but i believe you would have to move the springs in and maybe mini tub it too. 4 1/2 back spacing is very close to the stock spring location on my 57.
Terry

[Hafrod]

I was thinking about moving the rear springs in! :D

[chevman57]

Sounds just like the excuse you were needing then. Now that i`m getting close to having mine back together i sure wish i`d have mini tubbed it before hand, oh well. Maybe the next one.
Terry

[Late 55]

My 8" wheels w/5" backspace rubbed the springs......moved them out w/7/16ths spacers and they are fine.4 1/2" is about max without modifications.

[MikeKy55]

My 8" wheels w/5" backspace rubbed the springs......moved them out w/7/16ths spacers and they are fine.4 1/2" is about max without modifications.

Thats the kind of info thats priceless for members. Thanks!

[L&L CUSTOM PERFORMANCE]

IS YOUR BODY IN A POSITION WHERE YOU CAN TUCK THE NEW WHEELS AND TIRE'S UP IN THE FENDER WELLS? IF SO MOCK THEM IN PLACE SO THAT THE OUTER SIDE WALL HAS THE CLEARANCE YOU WILL NEED [APPROX. 3/4 TO 1 INCH] THEN MEASURE BETWEEN THE AXLE MOUNTING FLANGES OF THE WHEEL'S THIS WILL GIVE YOU THE REAR END WIDTH AND YOU WILL ALSO BE ABLE TO DETERMINE HOW MUCH YOU WILL HAVE TO MINI TUB IT. MOVEING THE SPRINGS IN AN TUBING TO JUST OUTSIDE THE FRAME RAILS WILL GIVE YOU ABOUT 2 1/2 INCHES OF ADDITIONAL CLEARANCE. ON MY ONE 55 I HAVE MINI TUB IT AND I HAVE SET IT UP WITH 17X8 WITH 4.5 BACK SPACEING AND 275X60 X17 TIRES AND A STAGERED 4 BAR REAR AND COIL OVERS. WITH A 58 INCH REAR END AND EVERY CLEARS FINE. MY TIRES HAVE A 12" SECTION WIDTH . HOPE THIS HELPS LARRY
www.llcustomperformance.com

[old school 55]

the wheel house on 55 sedan is 12-1/2" drivers side and 12" passenger side, from the back of the wheel house to the inner lip of fender,from the outside of the framerail to the inner lip of the rear fender is 15-1/8" driver side and 15-1/2" passenger side. the frame rails are41"wide outside edge to outside edge the rear axle is 60-1/4" from outside hub to outside hub if original, the outer spring distance is 48-3/4" thats from outside edge to outside edge moveing the spring perches to the inside will free up some space but i would mini tub it, the problem i think you will have is tire rub hope this helps from a guy who is narrowing and back halfing his 55:cool:

[Stu55]

No way on the rear. You will have to move the springs for shure. 4.75 bs is about the max on the rear. Also, on the front might work if you use your stock spindles and add disc brakes which will move the wheel mounting position out about 3/4 inch per side(I think). Otherwise you may have to use a spacer between the wheel and the hub, or the disc. Let us know how it goes. Stu55

[55fazzi]

On a factory length housing (approximatley 60") and leaf's outside the frame rails You will need to move the springs inboard and mini-tub with that backspacing. With the section width of my 255 60R15's on a 4.50" backspace there is about .750" or 3/4" of clearance. Good luck.

Tom

[MP&C]

This is an autocad detail I did before ordering wheels, we are using 18 x 10 6-7/16 b.s., tires sized as shown, and the wheelwell size of 15" is due to a 2-1/2" wider than stock mini-tub. The axle is actually 58 wide, not 58-1/2 like in the print, so it will be about 1-3/4 to 1-7/8 clearance to the outside wheelwell.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y167/rmccartney/1955%20Chevy%20Wagon%20Restoration/55rearTTM-1.jpg

Your B.S. being 5- 1/2, will move the wheel out about another inch, so your fenderwell clearance would be approx 3/4 of an inch. Will make it fun for installing/changing tires and may rub on sharps turns/ sways, etc, but at a minimum you will need to move the leaf springs and mini tub.

Here the tires are mocked up, centered inside the wheelwell, and spaced apart at 58". ***This car also has been mini tubbed an additional 2-1/2 inches over stock, and is using the pocket kit for the leaf springs***

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y167/rmccartney/1955%20Chevy%20Wagon%20Restoration/Picture321-1.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y167/rmccartney/1955%20Chevy%20Wagon%20Restoration/Picture323-1.jpg


Check out Chevynut's tire size calculator (http://www.trifive.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4079) and input the sizes you have to be sure.