Restomodding a 1971 Cutlass! Ep 02 - Fitting Big Wheels & Tires

In this episode I fit the car with new 18" wheels and tires. The wheels are from Summit Racing, they're Vision Wheel P/N 143-8961GMML12, 18"x9.5" wide with a 5.75" backspacing. The tires I used are size 275/40 ZR18 front and rear. The fronts are new Nitto NT 555 G2, rears are used Goodyear Eagle F1 GS. You'll get to see some of the latest reverse tire mounting and road force balancing technology too.

I also tackle a charging system gremlin that I thought I fixed in Episode 1. The final result with the new rims & tires are shown at the end along with close-ups of the clearance.

Here is a link to an excellent video that I watched at least a half dozen times before purchasing my rims. Caution, it does have a few F-bombs in it, but his content and information is spot on. He shows how to fit the absolute largest tires possible on an A-body Chevelle with stock wheelwells.
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0:08 - Recap of Episode 1
1:03 - The new rims
3:28 - Test fitting the bare rims on the front of the car at full steering lock at ride height
5:28 - Cold start and off to find a tire shop
6:08 - A good look at the car with the stock Oldsmobile Super Stock 2 wheels (they are 14x6 or 14x7" with snap on center caps)
8:36 - A visit to Gearheads Family Automotive in Cuyahoga Falls, OH (www.gearheadsohio.com) - He shows us their high-tech tire mountiing equipment and road force balancing machine.
20:54 - I figured out why the new Powermaster 140 Amp Alternator (stock is 55A) wasn't charging the new battery
27:25 - A nice surprise under the rear bumper - the license plate lamp
28:50 - New taillight lenses and front parking lamp lenses
30:27 - Test fitting the new tires & rims and adjusting the exhaust to clear
30:59 - A vew of the wheelwell and quarter panel pinch weld condition. Unless you live in the rust belt, you probably won't appreciate this.
31:27 - Checking the rear tire/wheel clearance
32:39 - Checking the front tire/wheel clearance
35:41 - The FINAL RESULT with the new wheels and tires on!