New to All -Tire QuestionsAnd Wheel and Tire Combo's

[73DartSport440]

what size rims did 73 Dusters / Darts some with.. i want new wheels for my car. 15 cragar soft 8s. 15x8s like whats the bolt pattern n stuff.

[Stroked68Dart]

Quick question for you guys...

I have purchased a custom set of American Racing Wheels for my 68 Dart.  The rear wheels are the Torq-Thrust II Classic custom Offset (series CL205) Wheels.  I got the 18x8 with 4.75 offset for the rear wheels and the wheels and tires fit perfect.

My questions are regarding the front wheels (same Torq Thrust Series CL205).  I had ordered 17x8 wheels but the offset is not right.  So, I have arranged to exchange them for a different set of wheels and would like your ideas.

Questions:

1.  Should I stick with the 17x8 and if so what offset would set the wheels back in far enough to keep them within the wheel wells?

2.  Should I exchange the 17x8's for 17x7's and if so what offset would you recommend?

All help is greatly appreciated.

[golferjohn]

okay, I just ran into this exact problem yesterday I was hoping that these would tuck under the front wheel wells, but no they miss by over an inch.  Too bad, because they look great, but no steery no funny Then I tried to stuff a 275 35 18 under the rear wells and again, no dice.  What I ended-up doing was keeping the 245 40 18's that I had intended for the front and am putting them on the rear.  I just ordered some 17X8 with 225 50's and an off-set of 5.7", which are the exact dimensions that Bill recommends on his alterKtion installation instructions (go figure  )  They should be arriving sometime next week and I'll post some photos, fit or no fit.
Thx, J

[Think3205]

sweet rims, i like it! i can't wait to see how your dart looks with all four of those on the ground...

[golferjohn]

Thanks, I was so excited when they arrived on Monday and equally deflated about 20 minutes later when they didn't fit so I decided to install the clutch/brake pedals instead

[Think3205]

i hear ya, it woulda bummed me out too...

[daniel_depetro]

I also bought a NEW set of American Racing Vector wheels. They are the "01" 50th anniversary editions. The look preety nice and are obviously very strong.
They only come in two sizes with your choice of bolt pattern (5 x 4.5-inch / 5 x 4.75-inch / 5 x 5.0-inch).
Fronts = 15 x 7-inch with a 4.0-inch backspace
Rears = 15 x 8.5-inch with a 5.0-inch backspace.

The Vector is a love or hate thing. People love them for being on the "General Lee" or hate them for the same reason. I used to think they were a bit truckish looking, but they have grown on me a little. They were not a wheel I really wanted but was all I could find in a 15 x 8.5-inch with a 5.0-inch backspace for my 1974 Dart Sport without having wheels with a custom made offset/backspace. I got a great deal on them. $535.00 out the door with tax and everything. Pretty reasonable for a set of (4) aluminum 15-inch wheels I thought so they'll do. I think they actually look very nice on my car (even without the tires still...hahahaha).
Sure look like they'll fit perfect (depending on tire size of course) with a 245/60R-15 or maybe even a 255/60R-15 tire.
I have a set of 275/60R-15 that I'd like to get on there without sectioning my rear wheel tubs. If I have to mini-tub to get the 275/60R-15s under it, it will be done and I'll run my set of and a set of 295/50R-15.

These pictures are with the springs in the stock factory locations. I have the offset spring hangers and shackles I just have not got them installed yet. This will give me another 1/2 to 3/4-inch of clearence which will provide enough clearence for either the 275/60R-15s or the 295/50R-15's.

[daniel_depetro]

On the other hand the fronts are just way too wide for an A-body. There is only about 1/4-inch left for clearence to the upper A-arm and the front lip is flush with the fender so they are not gonna work which kinda sucks. Not a big deal, but it would be nice to have a matching set of 4 wheels on my car. Even something that comes close would be great, however not sure there are many wheels out there that are even remotely close in a 15 x 5-inch or a 15 x 6-inch with a 4.0-inch (or an even rarer 4.25-inch) backspace.








I'll reply once I get the tires mounted up and bolted onto the car.

[Stroked68Dart]

GolferJohn,

So... you installed the exact same Whilwood set of disk brakes on the front as I did so we have several things in common.  I installed the 13.5 inch disk with the 6 piston calipers.  Is this what you have installed?  If so I noticed that your bleed screws are pointing up which is correct and I can install this way also but in following both the Whilwood and Dart manual I put the calipers on the front of the spindle per the manual and put the calipers with the arrow facing in the correct tire rotation direction but this puts the bleed screws on the bottom... not ideal... also this put the large caliper piston on the correct side of the rotor (entering edge).

Can you give me your thoughts or pointers on the install of the calipers?

Thoughts/advice?

Thanks.

[Stroked68Dart]

Can anyone tell me the difference between regular offset and reverse offset?

[golferjohn]

GolferJohn,

So... you installed the exact same Whilwood set of disk brakes on the front as I did so we have several things in common.  I installed the 13.5 inch disk with the 6 piston calipers.  Is this what you have installed?  If so I noticed that your bleed screws are pointing up which is correct and I can install this way also but in following both the Whilwood and Dart manual I put the calipers on the front of the spindle per the manual and put the calipers with the arrow facing in the correct tire rotation direction but this puts the bleed screws on the bottom... not ideal... also this put the large caliper piston on the correct side of the rotor (entering edge).

Can you give me your thoughts or pointers on the install of the calipers?

Thoughts/advice?
I believe having the caliper to the rear of the car was how the instructions read
I hope this helps

Thanks.

[Stroked68Dart]

Now that I look at your pictures I notice that we have different calipers.  I have a cross line that goes from one side of the caliper to the other side versus having 4 bleed screws (I only have 2 bleed screws).  Are  your calipers the 6 piston or ??  Looks like you and I both have correctly put them on the front of the spindle but your calipers have 4 bleed screws.  I may need to just call Willwood...  Man that thing looks great!

[golferjohn]

Those photos can be a bit deceiving, the caliper is located to the rear of the spindle the calipers are 4 piston units

[golferjohn]

here is the rear tire/wheel combo...245 40 18 on 18X9 Bullitt rims

[Stroked68Dart]

Thanks GolferJohn.

I see the difference now.  I have the 6 piston calipers which have a balance line from one side to the other side where the bottom bleed screws would normally be if you have 4 bleed screws like you do.  I will call Willwod and get their advice.  I am assumine I can just pull that balance line and flip it to the other side, etc... but I best talk with them first.

Man!  You got some pretty nice cars going in your shop!

Please post pictures of your new front wheels and tires as that would help me decide on which way to go.

[golferjohn]

the fronts should be on by Monday, I'll post pic's if they work

[duster7384]

Hi I have a 1973 plymouth dust and was wondering what is the biggest rim tire combo I can fit on it? I am putting 15 inch rims just not sure for the rear width of rim and size tire

[olddart]

Can anyone tell me what the largest 15" tire I can put on the front of my 69 dart. The wheels I want to use are only available in 15 x 6 with 3 1/2 backspacing. I will be converting to disc with stock size rotors and calipers. Thanks

[golferjohn]

after playing around with the 225 50 17 on the front, I decided to go with the 225 40 17 which balances better with the rears

[cu440da]

Here's what I've fitted to my car. (Previously had 215/70/15 all around.)


Stock body, stock spring location, b-body rear.

Fronts- 215/65/15, these tires are 1/2" shorter to eliminate rubbing on lower fender corner during turns.
Rears- 255/70/15, height is maxed out- width has a few more inches available.

[Scamp]

See this post:
http://www.bigblockdart.com/index.php/topic,6554.0.html

[496dart]

Ive got some new info--i tried some new tires today. 

Hoosier 29.5 x 10.5 x 15 slicks. These are BIG  compared to my  28 x 11.5 QTP's

welds  15 x 10 with 7" bs.

A body Dana rear  moved back 1.5" .  70 Dart

over an inch clearance everywhere.

[swisswill]

Anybody running a slightly smaller than recommended backspace with the alterk and linksys?  I found some Shelby Cobra's that would look great but not sure if they'll fit underneath.  Wheels are 17x8, 4.5 bs (front) and 17x9.6, 6 bs (rear).  I'd rather not have to massage the fenders if I don't have to.  The car is a 69 Dart and will be mini-tubbed this winter.

[72blue]

I have been running 15" ralley rims for years and love the look but just got a free gift that i may change up once and a while for fun.I bought a 98 volvo wagon and with the car came a set of decent looking winter rims AND a set of aluminum(or some alloy)grey painted rims that look pretty cool with tires already on them.The rims are 17" with a 5.5" backspace and an 8 inch wide tire mounted...im assuming the rim is 7 or 7.5" wide.Can anyone tell me if this should work okay on my 72 duster?I havent brought the rims home yet to try.These are a volvo factory rim.Heres a pic.....

[Sharpdart]

I have been running 15" ralley rims for years and love the look but just got a free gift that i may change up once and a while for fun.I bought a 98 volvo wagon and with the car came a set of decent looking winter rims AND a set of aluminum(or some alloy)grey painted rims that look pretty cool with tires already on them.The rims are 17" with a 5.5" backspace and an 8 inch wide tire mounted...im assuming the rim is 7 or 7.5" wide.Can anyone tell me if this should work okay on my 72 duster?I havent brought the rims home yet to try.These are a volvo factory rim.Heres a pic.....

I believe that will not work.  the '72 will be 5 on 4" while the volvo is 5 on 110 or 115mm.  the solution is easy, I'll buy them and use them on my '95 850. 

[72blue]

I have been running 15" ralley rims for years and love the look but just got a free gift that i may change up once and a while for fun.I bought a 98 volvo wagon and with the car came a set of decent looking winter rims AND a set of aluminum(or some alloy)grey painted rims that look pretty cool with tires already on them.The rims are 17" with a 5.5" backspace and an 8 inch wide tire mounted...im assuming the rim is 7 or 7.5" wide.Can anyone tell me if this should work okay on my 72 duster?I havent brought the rims home yet to try.These are a volvo factory rim.Heres a pic.....

I believe that will not work.  the '72 will be 5 on 4" while the volvo is 5 on 110 or 115mm.  the solution is easy, I'll buy them and use them on my '95 850. 

Haha actually i have checked them and the bolt pattern WILL fit!...I had an old small to large bolt pattern adapter and the large side slid right in....check your volvo it may be large bolt also!Mines a 98 850,these rims cant be too hard to come by if the backspace etc. works.

[72blue]

I have been running 15" ralley rims for years and love the look but just got a free gift that i may change up once and a while for fun.I bought a 98 volvo wagon and with the car came a set of decent looking winter rims AND a set of aluminum(or some alloy)grey painted rims that look pretty cool with tires already on them.The rims are 17" with a 5.5" backspace and an 8 inch wide tire mounted...im assuming the rim is 7 or 7.5" wide.Can anyone tell me if this should work okay on my 72 duster?I havent brought the rims home yet to try.These are a volvo factory rim.Heres a pic.....

Okay,i forgot to mention i have switched my duster to large bolt pattern and thats why the volvo rims are a close fit.The bolt pattern is 4.5" however i ran into a few snags today while test fitting the wheels.Heres a couple of pics:



Using and old spacer to illustrate,its obvious that the holes are slightly smaller on the volvo wheel,simply drilling them out  bit should fix that since its very close.



The depth of the center hole is a problem as its only about 1.5" and on the front end there is the dust cap and rotor center to consider.The rotors center on my car is about 2.5" and the volvo hole is about the same.



Please excuse the shitty cell phone pics guys.So heres the car at ride height with the wheel next to it to see how it will look when the holes are reamed a bit.Back spacing is a little extreme.A lager rear tire would be a must and theres tons of clearence like this.



Any thoughts on this swap?...i would love to hear who else had had similar problems and how they got around it...after all the wheels were FREE!

[68_Val_Sedan]

RMS street lynx moved to rail and mini tubs, 67 dart  305/45R18 tires on 10 inch rims  ....