Wheel Sizes for B & B

[Voltaire]

I am building a B & B Cobra and was given a 15" wheel size of 7" front and a 9" back both with 4.5" back space. I am planning on a 17" wheel with a 7.5" on front and a 9" on back both with a 4.5" backspace. The tire I am looking at are 235 x 40 x 17 front and 275 x 40 x 17 back. Has anyone else put these sizes of wheels on their car.

[Wbulk]

I glad you asked this question as I am going through the same thing right now. I found there was a lot of old information on the subject from years back, but it must be specific to your exact situation.
These are the issues that I am dealing with:
1. Is the body perfect on the frame.
I found that mine was within an 1/8" in the back but 3/8" off in the front as mounted from the factory. I will have to fix that before I glass things in. This could affect tire clearance from side to side. I decided to level the frame front to back and side to side with shims, and then measure the body from the frame to the outside lip of each fender, and then from a point on the frame up to the lip on each fender.
2. What axle do you have. I have a B and B narrowed 9". You have to compare apples to apples. The narrowed 9" is 56 1/2" total width rotor mounting surface to rotor mounting surface. If you have something else it will effect you tire and wheel choices.
3. Where do you want the tires to set in relation to the wheel lip that's about 1/2" in from the outside. I want mine to set about a 1/2" inside from the lip, but I am not sure if that is enought given the movement in the rear axle in corners. I have the four link with heim joints instead of the rubber mounts. I understand the rubber has more movement in cornering, but am not sure.
4. Was your axle mounting points welded on exactly the same from side to side on the axle and the frame. I found mine was 3/8 closer on one side than the other. I did a lot of measuring on my frame and axle. In a perfect world I would have 6 1/4" from the rotor mounting point to the outside edge of the rear fenders as a starting point.
I really thought I could do a lot of measuring and lay it all out on paper to determine my best options. But because I am waitng for some back ordered parts I can't mount my axle yet.
I believe this is one of the most critical decisions a person makes on his car. If you want the look right the selection needs to be right on; not to mention the costs involved.
For me I decided to either build a gig to simulate the rim and tire or buy one from Summit. I think they are about 59.00 and are totally adjustable.
Remember back spacing is the outside of the rim to the mounting point, so you have to allow for the rim thickness. In theory a 9" rim could actually be 10" total width depending on the brand.
You may also have to cut the inner glass panel behind the seat and reglass it in for clearance; some have had to do that.
Sorry, I don't know much about the fronts yet.
Good luck! Tell me how it turns out.

Wayne

[Clois Harlan]

I had a set of 315-35 17" (10 1/2" wide rims) rear and 245-40 17" (9" wide rims) front and they worked very well. I think you will be fine with your choice of tires. One question, has your rearend been narrowed? I know that some of the older models from B&B did not have the rearend narrowed.

Clois

[Voltaire]

I have the 9" shortened rear end. How much back space are you running on the wider wheels.

[Voltaire]

I ended up ordering Team III 17" wheels with 4 1/2" back space. The fronts are 7" wide and the rears are 10" wide. I put on BF Goodrich G-force Sport TA's 235/45/17 front and 275/45/17 on rear and they look great.

[Dusty Rhodes]

ok I am alive, and back. I have had some asked about my wheel sizes. they are 15x8 4.25bs and 15x10 4.75bsmy rearend is narrowed to the max, which is 57''.

[Clois Harlan]

Sorry,

I have been out of town and unable to get to the internet! 4 1/2" back space worked just fine for me.

Clois