8.8 swap tire clearance

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dartfreak75

dartfreak75

Restore it, Dont part it!
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Hey I needs some help from you guess. I'm finishing up on my 8.8 swap I'm getting ready to order my new leaf springs. Can you guess who have done the 8.8 swap take a measurement and show me some pictures of your tire clearance with the swap. I want to see how much I would have without moving my leaf springs. I have been back and forth about doing the 1/2 inch kit. I really dont want to do the relocation kit. I just want to see what kind of tire clearance I will have without the full relocation. Thanks guys
 
Oh and I forgot to mention I am using factory 15 inch steel wheels I dont know what the factory backspace is but they are stock steel 15 inch wheels
 
What car are you working with? I’m having this same question with a 65 Valiant. To relocate or not to relocate.
 
Garethw said:
What car are you working with? I’m having this same question with a 65 Valiant. To relocate or not to relocate.
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75 dart swinger. In considering doing the dr diff 1/2 kit. I just hate to pay 175 bucks for it and either not need it or it not be enough. I do dont want to do the relocation for a couple reasons. The big one being I don't have a garage and no rear way of getting the car perfectly level. 2 I dont feel like my welder or my welding skills are adequate. Lol
 
I started thinking that only getting 1/2” out of it wasn’t worth it. Maybe we’ll get some responses from folks that did it. Worth it or not?
 
Garethw said:
I started thinking that only getting 1/2” out of it wasn’t worth it. Maybe we’ll get some responses from folks that did it. Worth it or not?
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Yea I kinda agree for the price 1/2 isnt much. I guess after I get the rear welded back up in will do some test fitting with my wheels and see how much room there is I'm not wanting a super wide tire but I would like to get 245s under it at least.
 
Ok thanks thanks I will scan thru and see. You know what tire size he is running?
 
I used the doctor diff kit with my 8.8 swap and running 4.5” backspace on a 15x9” cop wheel. It’s a 67 barracuda though. If your going to weld new perches I would at least do the mopar or dr diff relocation so you have more option for backspacing.
 
It's not alot. 225s on the back? But room for lots more..........
 
I found your pictures in the 8.8 swap thread I dont see any good pics of tire clearance the one when it was finished is the only one I saw you cant really see the tires in relation to the springs
 
I just helped a buddy do the 8.8 swap on a 70 Duster and we used the Dr. Diff 1/2" kit and he had 275 tires on wheels with 4.5" backspacing. The tires were too close for comfort so he used a set of 1/4" spacers and they have about 3/8" clearance. You need to measure your wheel BS to see if you'll need the 1/2" kit or not
 
fishy68 said:
I just helped a buddy do the 8.8 swap on a 70 Duster and we used the Dr. Diff 1/2" kit and he had 275 tires on wheels with 4.5" backspacing. The tires were too close for comfort so he used a set of 1/4" spacers and they have about 3/8" clearance. You need to measure your wheel BS to see if you'll need the 1/2" kit or not
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Thanks. Do you know the factory 15x7 steel backspace? How do you measure backspace?
 
dartfreak75 said:
Thanks. Do you know the factory 15x7 steel backspace? How do you measure backspace?
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Typically it’s about 41/8” to 41/4” on OEM 15x7” steels. All it takes is a straight edge on the back of rim, measure the distance from straight edge to the mounting pad on back of rim.
 
Has anybody ran the leaf up against the frame and drilled thru the frame and used a long bolt? Maybe reinforce the frame so it doesn't collapse?
 
67/6barracuda said:
Typically it’s about 41/8” to 41/4” on OEM 15x7” steels. All it takes is a straight edge on the back of rim, measure the distance from straight edge to the mounting pad on back of rim.
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So basically the more backspace you have the more the tire and rim move inward towards the leafs?
 
The bracket would only be holding the outer part of the bolt. The frame would hold the inner part. It would be supported on both sides that way. Might be stronger than original.
 
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