71 dart 17 inch wheels 5x4 bolt pattern

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Flyinbrian72duster

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I have a 71 dart drums front and back stock suspension in front. I have 8.75 in back a body stock. I'm looking at American legend wheels in a 17 inch I've looked on here but kinda coming up short on a answer as to what backspace and tire size works best for a stock suspension. The bolt pattern is 5x4 also. If anyone has any pics of theres that would be great thanks.
 
I'm doing the same on my Barracuda and have measured, measured and measured again. The stock 8.75 allows for 5.5 inches from the face of the drum to the edge of the leaf spring, then 5.5 inches from the face of the drum to the fender lip. There is a little more space than what I have said (up to 1/4 inch each way)but I'm safe using these measurements. Now you have to consider your backspace on the wheel and tire size. Tire size specifically looking at how much it will bulge beyond the wheel rim. For instance a 255/45/R17 is 10" wide. It has to mounted on a minimal 8.5" wheel but to make the math easy lets mount it on a 9" wheel with a 4.5" backspace and 0 offset, thats a dead centre wheel on your drum. Your 10" tire would extend to 5" from centre of the wheel, evenly inside and outside. With a 5.5" space both inside and outside you'll have .5" to spare on each side with a stock 8.75 rear. Now the tricky part, you could go with an 8" wheel and split the wheel dead center making it a 4" backspace. However that will actually push the tire/wheel more outside, when you really want to keep it tucked in the wheel well. So you still use a 4.5" backspace and 0 offset. The max tire for an 8" wheel is a 245/45/R17 which is 9.6" wide. Here's the math again, take the total tire width that extends beyond the wheel width and divide it by two (9.6" - 8") /2 = .8" or 13/16". Add that 13/16 to 4.5" backspace and you get 5 5/16" which is just under your 5.5" allowance.
As for the front; Its similar for backspace of 4.5" centred in the wheel well but not as forgiving on turn radius for a wide tire. So an 8" wheel likely will only handle a 225/50/R17 tire. A 7" wheel can handle the same tire 225/50/R17 but the backspace should be no more than 4.25". In all cases the backspace is based on a 0 offset.
These are my calculations thus far. You can query Tiresize.com to get the measurements of tires I've given you. Btw I'm looking at a 25.7" to 25.9" wheel diameter, which also affects the turning radius on the front.
Hope this helps
 
Allright I found pics on here of a 71 dart with the wheels I want. He said there 17x7with a 4.25 backspace with 225/45/17
He didnt list the offset but according to the catalog its +6mm. But they also offer a 17x8 with a 4.5 backspace with a 0mm offset. I am I better off with the 17x7s or do I need the 17x8 for the o offset
 
17 x 7 all the way around. Don't remember the backspace off the top of my head. 225/45/17 front 235/55/17 rear in this pic. I'm using a 245/45/17 drag radial on the rear now with no problems. Also doing a 8" wheel on another car with 4.5 backspace and a 255/50/17 . It's still in pieces so no pictures of it. I can measure the backspace of the wheels pictured if you want it

FB_IMG_1431053181122(1).jpg
 
17 x 7 all the way around. Don't remember the backspace off the top of my head. 225/45/17 front 235/55/17 rear in this pic. I'm using a 245/45/17 drag radial on the rear now with no problems. Also doing a 8" wheel on another car with 4.5 backspace and a 255/50/17 . It's still in pieces so no pictures of it. I can measure the backspace of the wheels pictured if you want it

View attachment 1715630485
Man that's exactly what I want would that work with drums front and back and 8.75 in back and yes back space please your car looks bad *** dude !
 
Thanks. Yes factory drums front and rear with a stock width 8.75. I'll grad the back space tomorrow
 
17 x 7 all the way around. Don't remember the backspace off the top of my head. 225/45/17 front 235/55/17 rear in this pic. I'm using a 245/45/17 drag radial on the rear now with no problems. Also doing a 8" wheel on another car with 4.5 backspace and a 255/50/17 . It's still in pieces so no pictures of it. I can measure the backspace of the wheels pictured if you want it

View attachment 1715630485
Looks great
 
Allright I found pics on here of a 71 dart with the wheels I want. He said there 17x7with a 4.25 backspace with 225/45/17
He didnt list the offset but according to the catalog its +6mm. But they also offer a 17x8 with a 4.5 backspace with a 0mm offset. I am I better off with the 17x7s or do I need the 17x8 for the o offset
I am pretty sure that a +6mm offset with a 4.25 backspace is the same as a 0 offset and 4" backspace. A -6mm offset and 4.25" backspace is equal to a 0 offset and 4.5" backspace. With the 7" wheel you likely want to stay under the 0 offset and 4.5" backspace. So the +6mm with a 4.25" is safe, a +6mm with 4.5" backspace is safe and a 0 offset with 4.25" backspace is safe.
An 8" wheel should be 0 offset with 4.5" backspace.
 
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Awesome thanks to everyone for all the helpful info. Gonna go with abodyjims setup on rubber it looks so good. Gonna be a little bit before their on but I'll post a pic when it's done.
 
I have a 71 dart drums front and back stock suspension in front. I have 8.75 in back a body stock. I'm looking at American legend wheels in a 17 inch I've looked on here but kinda coming up short on a answer as to what backspace and tire size works best for a stock suspension. The bolt pattern is 5x4 also. If anyone has any pics of theres that would be great thanks.
I have the 17x7 American legend Sprinter wheels with 4.5 back spacing with no issues on project vertfish, my 67 barracuda convertible.
I have BFGs 215/50/17 in front and 235/50/17s in the rear.
I originally bought them with the 5 on 4 pattern with my drum brakes then I ended up buying another set with 5 on 4 1/2 bolt pattern when I upgraded to 4 wheel dics.
I had to bend the front fender wheel well support brace up in order to make more room.

20200323_115106.jpg
 
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