Anybody running 17" Cobra Bullit rims on a Duster
Chris,
A 9" wheel won't fit my Valiant (74 front end) either, at least if it's got enough backspace to fit under the fenders. FWIW, my car has the same front end components as a friend's 68 Valiant, and he had to use a 1/8" spacer to fit *8"* Bullits, while my 8" Cobras have about 1/8" clear. Although I have no hard proof, I strongly suspect that some LBJ's are designed with different offsets to the arm end, OR perhaps have the OTRE stud hole machined in a slightly different location. There may also be some wiggle room in OTRE designs, but I haven't checked that at all. Don't count out anything when it comes to aftermarket parts.
I think some Heim joint OTRE's could be fabbed up for a little over $100-150, depending on parts, but that money is probably better spent elsewhere. Ditto on 9" vs. 8" wheels, unless you've already got the 9" units. The 8's are going to be the cheap parts 99% of the time, and aggressive 245 tires can have nearly as much rubber on the ground as a 275... the 245/45 Kumho MX's I have are about 1/2" narrower through the tread than the 275/40 Goodyear Eagle F1's I tested. A good sticky 245 on an 8" wheel may just run away from a cruddy 275 on a 9, even after all the work & $$$ you spent to make it fit.
Clair