I wanted 16's on my outfit - so I've put 225/50/16 tires on some 16x7 rims on there. By using some 1-1/2 inch inboard offset wheels and a 1-1/2 inch spacer on the hub, I've got the new wheels centered where the old ones were 1/2 inboard (this is at the rear axle).

The skirts won't clear the tire sidewalls. There is sufficent room to move the wheel another 1/2 inch toward the leaf spring (closest contact point inboard) and have sufficient space to avoid ever touching. I don't know if that 1/2 inch is enough to let the skirts fit. 

 
 Steve Metzger       Tucson, Arizona

Welcome aboard, Bud.
The biggest problem is wrestling the tires over your rear drums.  Once that happens, you should be ok.  Some '55 & '56 Fairlanes came stock with 16" tires.  Mainline and Customline came with 15" x 5" rims.  T-bird frames and axles are the same, but I don't know what rims they came with.

Dave

Ford 292 Y-Block major overhaul by simplyconnected

Just wondering if anyone out there has put a set of 15" cragar ss original mags under a 55 Bird with stock drum brakes. I think the wheels I have on my Bird are the originals and they are mounted with 205x75R15's. I have about 1/2inch of clearance from the inside of the tire to the ball joint. I measured the wheel using what I found on the internet on how to measure back spacing etc etc. Anyway,the wheels are 15x6 and backspacing is 3 1/4" offset is 1/2" or 13mm positive. I looked at Cragar wheels and found a set #61615 but the offset is neg 4mm.

Just wondering if anyone is running a set WITH their skirts.

Thanks in advance for any info.                  Bud

Bud in Northern Arizona on route 66 in Winslow (standin' on the corner)

If you're American, buy American

631/2 Galaxie 500XL 406   55 T-Bird