15” wheels to 17”…alignment ???

[417guy]

So, I’m thinking of a new set of wheels/tires. Has 15x8 magnum 500 all around, 235-60 front, 275-60 rear. I want to be able to swap back and forth as my “mood” and travels dictate. likely 17x8 all around, same 4.5 backspace as the 15’s. Staggered tire sizes, likely 255-50 front and 275-50 rear for the 17’s.
my question, will alignment change or need to be changed ? I have QA1 upper control arms, about 3-4* positive caster, maybe 1* negative camber, and 1/8 toe in. Any one care to comment ??
BTW, car sees about 3-3500 miles a year, but would be more if/when I get a/c.
thanks for the advice

 

[pnora]

No alignment needed.

 

[ckessel]

If the overall diameter is the same, probably good to go. If the new ones are larger, may want to get it checked. The command decision is yours to make regardless. If you do get it checked, specify that they hang targets on all 4 wheels for the alignment. Don't get a front only alignment where they don't hang targets on all 4. Ask them to check the "thrust angle" which is the measurement between center of the rear axle to center of the spindle. You want that to be equal so that the car isn't going down the road with the rear hanging to one side. Kills tires. If its not equal, that could point to structural issues, like bent frame/diff/k-frame etc. If its minor, Hotchkiss and I think BAC [one of the advertisers here over on the right side] make shims to put between the front spring hanger and the unibody mount area to move the offending side where it needs to be.

 

[pnora]

If the overall diameter is the same, probably good to go. If the new ones are larger, may want to get it checked. The command decision is yours to make regardless. If you do get it checked, specify that they hang targets on all 4 wheels for the alignment. Don't get a front only alignment where they don't hang targets on all 4. Ask them to check the "thrust angle" which is the measurement between center of the rear axle to center of the spindle. You want that to be equal so that the car isn't going down the road with the rear hanging to one side. Kills tires. If its not equal, that could point to structural issues, like bent frame/diff/k-frame etc. If its minor, Hotchkiss and I think BAC [one of the advertisers here over on the right side] make shims to put between the front spring hanger and the unibody mount area to move the offending side where it needs to be.

If the overall diameter is the same, probably good to go. If the new ones are larger, may want to get it checked.

The size of the tire or wheel has no effect on the alignment. Changing to a larger or smaller has no effect.

 

[WileERobby]

Leave it be. You'll be ok.

 

[CTMopar]

Leave it be. You'll be ok.

How to say please stop putting big wheels on classic cars without saying “stop putting big wheels on classic cars”.

 

[417guy]

How to say please stop putting big wheels on classic cars without saying “stop putting big wheels on classic cars”.

My opinion is 17” are not “big” anymore . 20’s and 22’s are too big. If I kept it “classic” it came with 14” skinny tires. Thanks for your opinion, but I just wanted to know if alignment would be affected by the change. My old car is a correct numbers engine, but I have changed from the automatic on the column to a TKO 600. And many other changes, too. I would have left it all OEM if it would have been a hemi 4 speed. But if it was that , I could have never been able to buy it .

 

[CTMopar]

My opinion is 17” are not “big” anymore . 20’s and 22’s are too big. If I kept it “classic” it came with 14” skinny tires. Thanks for your opinion, but I just wanted to know if alignment would be affected by the change. My old car is a correct numbers engine, but I have changed from the automatic on the column to a TKO 600. And many other changes, too. I would have left it all OEM if it would have been a hemi 4 speed. But if it was that , I could have never been able to buy it .

My comment wasn't directed at you but at the one that I quoted. 17s being not big anymore is just a product of getting used to seeing 20s in my opinion. These cars were designed to have 14s & 15s and that is the nostalgia of them. To those of us who grew up with them, 17s look out of place. I feel the same way about modern driveline swaps. It takes away the nostalgia. I wouldn't attack you for what you want to do with your car. I was just relating to the other poster.

 

[AMX364]

If anything I prefer less toe in about 1/16 inch on rear wheel drive car and 1/16 out on front wheel drive. What you are using is still OK.