Need help with wheels/tires for '65 FS project

[Bob Jasinski]

I've been putting this off too long and really need to pin down and order tires and wheels for my Barracuda project. I have stock 5 on 4 bolt pattern all around, want the same tires all around with a tire height (diameter) about the same as stock (6.95 x 14 is 25.30") and 15" wheels, not 14". The tires I've found in 15" that come closest to stock diameter are 215/60R15 @ 25.16" tall, 225/60 R15 @25.63" tall, or 205/65R15 @25.49" tall. I want early style (new) Mopar Rallye wheels, but they are hard to find in 5 on 4 bolt pattern, there doesn't seem to be as many options as there were a few years ago. I've read quite a bit on FABO about this subject, but I'm still not certain about the best offset, and wheel width, not to mention availability. I appreciate any input, thanks Bob.

 

[junkyardhero]

so, 15" rallye in small bolt is a tough one. i think wheel vintiques is the only one who makes them.

here's the summit link:

Wheel Vintiques 61-5754044 Wheel Vintiques 61 Series Chrysler Rallye Silver Wheels | Summit Racing

Free Shipping - Wheel Vintiques 61 Series Chrysler Rallye Silver Wheels with qualifying orders of $109. Shop Wheels at Summit Racing.

www.summitracing.com

so basically it's a stock size, offset which is perfect for what you're doing.

i think you're on the money tire size 26-ish inches look right on these.

i don't know if you're going to be able to fit 225's up front, but you can for sure fit 205's and probably 215's if you're not too low.

i don't know if you want to run the same thing on all four corners, but the safe play would be 225's out back and 205's up front or the 215's if you can fit them.

 

[Professor Fate]

I know it's a different year/body style, but these are the 205-65 15s on my Swinger.

No interference on the 15" C body 16 slot Road Wheels.

 

[junkyardhero]

I know it's a different year/body style, but these are the 205-65 15s on my Swinger.
View attachment 1716341406
No interference on the 15" C body 16 slot Road Wheels.

i know stylistically the design is divisive and don't take this as an underhanded compliment: but that's one sharp looking beak nose! the rims really set it off in an understated and unexpected way.

 

[Bob Jasinski]

so, 15" rallye in small bolt is a tough one. i think wheel vintiques is the only one who makes them.

here's the summit link:

Wheel Vintiques 61-5754044 Wheel Vintiques 61 Series Chrysler Rallye Silver Wheels | Summit Racing

Free Shipping - Wheel Vintiques 61 Series Chrysler Rallye Silver Wheels with qualifying orders of $109. Shop Wheels at Summit Racing.

www.summitracing.com

so basically it's a stock size, offset which is perfect for what you're doing.

i think you're on the money tire size 26-ish inches look right on these.

i don't know if you're going to be able to fit 225's up front, but you can for sure fit 205's and probably 215's if you're not too low.

i don't know if you want to run the same thing on all four corners, but the safe play would be 225's out back and 205's up front or the 215's if you can fit them.

OK, So the Summit link led to a 15" x 7" w/4.25" backspacing. That helps a lot, because I didn't know if that would work, thanks. So, the 205/65R15 measures about 25.5" tall (close to stock) and the recommended rims size is 5.5 to 7.5", which fits the 7" rim width fine.

 

[Bob Jasinski]

I know it's a different year/body style, but these are the 205-65 15s on my Swinger.
View attachment 1716341406
No interference on the 15" C body 16 slot Road Wheels.

That's the tire I'm leaning towards (205/65R15) Do you rub at all? About how close are they to the rear leaves?

 

[Professor Fate]

That's the tire I'm leaning towards (205/65R15) Do you rub at all? About how close are they to the rear leaves?

Like I said, there's no interference. I initially had the t-bars set a little low, and I had very slight rubbing if I had the wheels turned to full lock and hit a bump a little too fast; like pulling into a parking lot too quickly. Returning it closer to stock ride height eliminated that.
There's lots of clearance to the rear leaves (and to the fender lip), can't give you a precise measurement since it's put away for the winter, but suffice to say it isn't close.
Keep in mind though, that this is on a '75 which has a little more distance between the spring and wheel mounting surface due to the larger axle flange offset and wider drums that were used in '75 with the big bolt pattern, as compared to your small bolt pattern early 'Cuda- probably amounts to less than 3/4" per side or thereabouts.

 

[Professor Fate]

i know stylistically the design is divisive and don't take this as an underhanded compliment: but that's one sharp looking beak nose! the rims really set it off in an understated and unexpected way.

Thanks! I've never really understood some of the hatred thrown the way of the beakers- they are what they are, enjoy them for the time period that they represent.
I currently have the C body road wheels on it, just because they're a little different from the usual factory choices, yet don't look out of place. Truth be known, I'm a bit of a "wheel *****" and switch between those, a set of whitewalls w/hubcaps, and RWL on Magnum 500s as my mood changes...

 

[Bob Jasinski]

My (4) 15" x 7", 5 on 4 Ralleye wheels arrived yesterday from Summit. I hope I didn't make a mistake going with 15 X 7, couldn't find any 15 x 6 available. I've spent a good deal of time researching tire sizes to use with these wheels on my '65 FS. I mounted up one wheel on the rear axle, and there is 1-1/2" from the wheel edge to the rear leaf. The K frame is not installed so I can't test the fit in front, and without tires just fitting the wheel doesn't tell you much. The tire size I'm most likely to buy is the 225/60R15, like what Clifcuda65 shows on his car. I sent a message to Clif, but haven't heard back. He hasn't posted in a long while, hope he's OK, I've been following him for a long time. Here is his car with 225/60R15 tires. If I have to drop a size to fit, I'm concerned the wheel width will be too wide.