Same car / different size wheels

You normally want the larger tires on the heavier end of the car.  I would think that running wider tires up front would make it more tail happy than it already is.  I run 5 1/2" rims all around, and I would bet they would work on yours if the offset was correct.

I'd like to use 5 1/2" all round but they just won't fit on the rear. With 4 1/2" rims and 155 80 15's on the back right now, there is about 3/16" tire to fender clearance.

Then I would think you should stick to 4 1/2" all around.

Spacers 1/4 or 3/8" work great on front but might need longer T3 bolts with the 3/8".

David, what is the offset of your 4.5" wheel?  If it's fairly low, like around 15 to 20mm, and you have some inside room, you could look for a rim with a larger offset.  This would push the rim towards the engine and give you a bit more fender clearance.

By the way, what style of wheel do you have?  I ask because I have two stock 5.5" VW wheels with a 40 or 42mm offset.  I think they were originally on a 914.

David-

I've got a set of 5-1/2" wide 5 chrome Mangles that have been recentered (moved inboard) about 1" by Stockton Wheel, with a set of Dunlop 185s mounted and balanced (75%+ treadlife remaining). My car came with them before I obtained a set of Bivens. They'd work perfectly for you.

Shoot me a dialog if you are interested.

Thanks for that, Lads. The car is in the body shop so I can't measure anything. Where exactly to you measure to and from for the offset, pls ?

Stan...what is the offset on those Mangles, Pls ?

Edit:   Ron...I have wide 5 VW type....205MM spacing ?

If offset is measured from where the wheel faces the hub at the bolt hole and in to the innermost part of the steel wheel rim, ( not to in where the tire bead goes ) then the new wheel that I received has 60mm offset or about 2 3/8" .

My 5 1/2" wheels have a 24mm offset.

Thanks Lane...pls. define where offset is measured.

A 0 offset means that the flat surface on the inside of the wheel that rests against the brake drum or rotor is at dead center in the wheel.  However many millimeters that you are off from that is your offset.  A 24mm positive offset mean that the flat surface is move outward 24mm toward the outside of the wheel.  A negative offset, of course, means the opposite.

EDIT: I believe that the Tire Rack website gives all of the details on how to measure, etc.

Ah...said the grasshopper...Then my new wide five , 5.5" rim has positive offset of only 10.5MM. The difference between your wheel Lane and mine would be about 14 mm or around just over 1/2". Your wheel and tire combo would fit under my rear fender but the wheel I have with an appropriate tire on it would not. Nice to learn something today. Thanks.

You can get some nice 5 1/2" powder coated wheels from Carey Hines in either wide-5 or 4-bolt style.

With a 10mm offset I can see why they won't fit.  If you plan on looking for another set of wheels look for an offset of at least 35mm. Low 40s would be better.