This is an unusual choice, but I'm hoping to run 28in tires at all four corners. I'll either do 28x12s or 28x10s in the back, but I want 28x10s (275/60r15) up front for sure. Think Tokyo Drift Monte - not gonna be a tribute car (paint, motor, interior, wheels, etc. will all be different), but I adore that stance. The first gens are so unreasonably big that sitting up on big tires at all corners just looks perfect. So has anyone else done it? Is it a matter of getting just the right backspacing, ride height, etc., or will I need to clearance some stuff? Thanks in advance, y'all.

This is an old F&F:TD hero car that someone bought and repainted. This is basically the stance I want.

 

You will have clearance issues on the front. Original tires are GR70-15. Closest equivalent is 225/70R15.
I run 255/60R15 on all four corners of my Monte Carlo and the front tires rub – albeit slightly – against the frame when I maneuver in tight areas like parking lots.
If you want to drive that car, the safest way to deal with that is to modify the steering box by bringing the end-stop points closer together. Do NOT change the offset/backspacing. Messing with that will adversely change the load distribution on the wheel bearings causing premature bearing failure then – I've seen this too often – broken spindles with the wheel/tire/hub assembly coming off the car while driving; that's a one-way ticket to Sucksville where you just became the mayor. As for ride height, you'll need to research aftermarket front-end suspension products. You'll need to replace the upper and lower control arms, springs, shocks, sway bar, and probably steering linkage. If you're making a trailer queen that will never touch pavement then disregard my advise.

 

Thanks for answering! And thanks for not doing the forum classic "Just do what I would do if it were my car" answer and actually telling me what to expect.

I am curious though, what makes it risky to choose different wheel backspacing/offset on these cars? People do it often with Mustangs and Camaros of similar years, and obviously all the time with newer model cars. Is it the weight or the hardware or what? Could aftermarket suspension handle differently spaced wheels?

Also I wish I could trailer queen it, but I can scarcely avoid the trailer, let alone the queen.

 

Hey first off, welcome!

Youll find this forum is a bit unlike other automotive forums. Real good bunch that will steer you in the right direction.

 

I don't like being told what to do with my car; the way I see it, if you don't like it, suck it up.

Just so you know where I'm coming from; I've owned my Monte Carlo for 40 years and it's still my daily driver. I've made my share of mistakes and seen plenty of others make mistakes. It's not my place to critique your vision, however, I am eager to share my 40+ years of mechanical experience to help others avoid costly and dangerous mistakes.
Messing with wheel backspacing/offset will adversely change the load distribution on the wheel bearings causing premature bearing failure which leads to broken spindles followed by the wheel/tire/hub assembly coming off the car while driving. There is LOTS of design and engineering that goes into front suspension and steering geometry. Everything has to work in harmony; the camber and caster with the length of the drag link so the turn radius of the inner wheel complements the radius of the outer wheel, all the while distributing weight and stress evenly on the wheel bearings…
That's why I see wheels coming off those type of modified cars more often than from stock cars; failed bearings and broken spindles.
Perhaps as long as it's comprehensively designed. What I mean is the design takes the ENTIRE front suspension (control arms, spindles, steering linkage, wheel offset, etc.) into account.

A safer option that's less costly is to use stock wheels (like the rally rims) with 255/65R15 size tires. That would give you 28" diameter with 10" tread width.