[FinnGTO]

I tried to fit 235/55/17 wheels in my 69 GTO with unpleasant results. The front tires hit the fender when I turn the steering wheel (maybe after 20 degrees; when I turn the steering wheel to right the left tire touches the fender in front of the tire and the right tire touches the fender behind the tire).

The rims are YearOne Rally II 17x8 with 4 1/2 backspacing. Y1 says that 245/45/17 should fit but I'd like to have a bit higher profile because of the look.

The old/existing wheels are 225/70/14 on 14x6 Rally IIs. The difference in diameter is .8" but that .4" in front/rear of the wheel seems to be too much when I turn the wheel.

Has anybody been luckier than I? Has someone been able to to fit larger than 245/45/17 front tire in a 69 GTO?

Best regards,
Samu

[1969 Ram Air]

Samu - go with the 14s. I love that look.

[Ozzmann]

I run 235/45/17 on 8" rims up front without any problems whatsoever.

[carsmymistress]

I am running 255/45/17 on the front of my 69 with 17x8 Foose rims, 4.5" backspace. I have the front lowered almost 2 inches with tight but no clearance issues. It looks like your tire height is about 1.25" taller. I know the 235/55 would not fit on my car as it sits today.

[U47]

Originally Posted by FinnGTO

I tried to fit 235/55/17 wheels in my 69 GTO with unpleasant results. The front tires hit the fender when I turn the steering wheel (maybe after 20 degrees; when I turn the steering wheel to right the left tire touches the fender in front of the tire and the right tire touches the fender behind the tire).

The rims are YearOne Rally II 17x8 with 4 1/2 backspacing. Y1 says that 245/45/17 should fit but I'd like to have a bit higher profile because of the look.

The old/existing wheels are 225/70/14 on 14x6 Rally IIs. The difference in diameter is .8" but that .4" in front/rear of the wheel seems to be too much when I turn the wheel.

Has anybody been luckier than I? Has someone been able to to fit larger than 245/45/17 front tire in a 69 GTO?

Best regards,
Samu

One way to stop the rub would be to stiffen up the suspension. I have a 69 LeMans, that has Eibach front and rear springs, Koni shocks set to the stiffest positions duragraph upper and lower "A" arm bushings and "F" body tall spindles for negative roll steering and 1 3/8" sway bars front and rear. I run 15X7 front rally 2 & 15X8 rear rally2.
With the springs and the tall spindles the car sits 3 3/4" lower in front and 2" lower in rear. With a 245-60-15 comp T/A front tires there is 1/2" clearance on both ends of front fenders, and if the suspension had and more compliance to it, it would certainly rub. The car was built for street and Grand Touring and that's why it's so stiff.
FYI those car do have a fairly big wheel house...especially the rear, but aesthetically speaking those cars were designed for a 14 & 15" wheel. Anything bigger and they start to look like they are on steroids or little kids hot wheel toys. Nothing against large wheels, but on the wrong application it's like putting a bra on a cow.....never meant to be.

[kyle_blake]

agreed on 69 gto looking a little weird with wrong rims on and low profile tiles. it's hard to get it to look right , I like the after market rally's but that's about it, imo. better off with the rally II imo.

[FinnGTO]

Now I've had the 245/45/17 tires for about a week and been driven maybe 350 miles with the car. Even this size is a close call in my car but they fit without rubbing.

The quality of the wheels is good: they are straight and I can drive on a motorway without problems. However, I needed to buy the PY lug nuts as I didn't feel comfortable with the lug nuts that came with the Y1 wheel kit.

Many thanks for the comments.

[65WJ]

8in rim with a 235 tire is way too much. a 7 would be fine then you would clear. Still might add another inch to backspacing. 17x7 with 5in back space I think would fit just fine.

I use a 235x60x15 on 15x7 with 5.5 back spacing. rear is 275x60x15


patrick