I just bought a 78 El Camino. I want to go to a 17" rim. How wide of a rim can I use, what back spacing, and what size tire ?? I really like the look of the Firestone Firehalk SZ50 EP tires. (205/40ZR17) I want the same size tire on all 4 corners.

Can anyone tell me if the Firestone Firehalk SZ50 EP tires. (205/40ZR17) will fit even if I use 2" drop spindles up front ?? Rims will be Centerline Galaxy 17x8 with 4.5 back spacing.

Can't help you with the tires you asked about with a drop involved. But with a sidewall that small I would think it would. But you are looking a rough ride with a sidewall

I am running 17x8 with a 4.5 BS with no problems. I currently have 235x40 on front and 245x40 on the back. I'm not really happy with the way the front tires look. The sidewall just seems to be to short to me. I plan on putting the 245s on the front when the 235 wear out and then probably a 275x40 on the back.

http://www.bridgestonetire.com/dpp/glamour/tirephotos_full/SZ50rft.jpg This is the tire I plan on running. Kinda helps that my best friend is the asst. manager at a local Firestone store. :P

The tire tread pattern is nice, I question the use of a 205/40 though. First of all it's ride like junk and handle worse. second, I'm pretty sure that the tires load capacity is not going to hold up a 3600 lbs El Camino, those were designed for 2000lbs ricers.

The tire tread pattern is nice, I question the use of a 205/40 though. First of all it's ride like junk and handle worse. second, I'm pretty sure that the tires load capacity is not going to hold up a 3600 lbs El Camino, those were designed for 2000lbs ricers. I could use a 255/40ZR17 OR P275/ZR17 OR A P285/40ZR17 but I'm concerned about the 2" drop spindals and turning if the tires would come in contact with the body. I need to use a 17" rim to clear the up grade to the breaks 12" or 13" rotors.

You're going to have lots of clearance problems with any tire on the front larger than 245/45R17. On my 1979 I use 235ZR45X17 and they barely clear.

You're going to have lots of clearance problems with any tire on the front larger than 245/45R17. On my 1979 I use 235ZR45X17 and they barely clear. They do make a 245/45ZR17 in the Firehawk SZ50 EP . I could run those all the way around.

The 245/45 sounds like a much better choice. Should handle well and ride wouldn't be too harsh. More importantly the tire can definetly handle the weight.

The 245/45 sounds like a much better choice. Should handle well and ride wouldn't be too harsh. More importantly the tire can definetly handle the weight. I'm looking at some 235/45R17's at http://www.nebraskatire.com/passenger/mowhawk/pred_vrs.htmhttp://www.nebraskatire.com/passenger/mowhawk/predator_vrs.jpg

http://www.bridgestonetire.com/dpp/glamour/tirephotos_full/SZ50rft.jpg This is the tire I plan on running. Kinda helps that my best friend is the asst. manager at a local Firestone store. :P

I've run the 285/40 17s on my vette and was VERY impressed! They're a quiet tire with EXCELLENT wet and dry traction...but the dang things wouldn't get traction on ANY kind of ice/snow/frost... Not sure about 205s though...sounds awfull slim.....