The perfect wheel and tire combo accentuates a hot rod’s look; it doesn’t detract from it. The best-looking wheel is useless, though, if the tires rub on the fenders, chassis, or suspension when the car is in motion. Nailing the perfect fit is all in the width and the backspacing of the wheel. Tires are no longer the problem because companies have given us a massive selection of diameters, section widths, and profiles, so it’s up to us to find the right wheel to make them work. We stumbled upon a fantastic tool to make that job foolproof. The Wheel Fit tool bolts onto the hub of your car, clamps the tire in place that you want to run, and then indicates the right backspacing. All you have to do is cycle the suspension with the tire and tool in place to make sure it fits. Easy.
This is a worst-case scenario: a brand-new tire that’s shredded because it came into contact with something it shouldn’t have. The correct wheel backspacing and clearancing methods would’ve prevented the damage.
