Stop in for a cup of coffee

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76DodgeDart said:
Good morning everyone!
I have a 76 Dodge Dart. It came with 225/45/17 wheels & tires on the front & 235/55R17 on the rear. I have a problem with them rubbing on the fenders (front end). Can you tell me what the dimensions would be on the 14in wheels? Backspace/offset ?
So that I can start somewhere looking for a set of wheels and tires for my car?
Tia - Heather

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Welcome to the coffee shop Heather!
I wanted a stock look, so used same tire all around. I went with what I found the largest that fit WELL on the front - 215 70 14. If the link works right this should show the comparison to what you are running now. Tire Size Comparison
As for the back, Ramie @straightlinespeed just did his, not sure what sizes. I know he did big back small front, but I believe was running 15's. There is also a wheels and tires thread that could be very helpful.
Keith
 
dukeboy_318 said:
@72bluNblu may know. Are you wanting a factory size tire or something wider and bigger?
Click to expand...
Factory is just fine with me at this point. Something that I can use that isn’t going to rub while driving it.
When I purchased the car last fall, I was told that it needed an alignment so I had that done and bought front tires for it too because the ones that were on it were all chewed up. Now that I spent $ on new tires, it’s actually the wrong size for the car. The kid that owned it before me put them on and had the car lowered in the front for the stance. It was all screwed up. I just want factory so I can actually drive it. :)
 
zkx14 said:
Welcome to the coffee shop Heather!
I wanted a stock look, so used same tire all around. I went with what I found the largest that fit WELL on the front - 215 70 14. If the link works right this should show the comparison to what you are running now. Tire Size Comparison
As for the back, Ramie @straightlinespeed just did his, not sure what sizes. I know he did big back small front, but I believe was running 15's. There is also a wheels and tires thread that could be very helpful.
Keith
Click to expand...
Thanks Keith
 
zkx14 said:
Welcome to the coffee shop Heather!
I wanted a stock look, so used same tire all around. I went with what I found the largest that fit WELL on the front - 215 70 14. If the link works right this should show the comparison to what you are running now. Tire Size Comparison
As for the back, Ramie @straightlinespeed just did his, not sure what sizes. I know he did big back small front, but I believe was running 15's. There is also a wheels and tires thread that could be very helpful.
Keith
Click to expand...
I had the back tire in that comparison. Your current front is actually shorter, but slightly wider than the 215 70 14, Tire Size Comparison
I have 5.5 wide wheels, if those are 7 inch wheels, that could also make them take a slightlywider profile. I'm assuming it is hitting the front lower corner of the opening...
 
zkx14 said:
I had the back tire in that comparison. Your current front is actually shorter, but slightly wider than the 215 70 14, Tire Size Comparison
I have 5.5 wide wheels, if those are 7 inch wheels, that could also make them take a slightlywider profile. I'm assuming it is hitting the front lower corner of the opening...
Click to expand...
You are correct.
And I really don’t think I want to mess with my fenders just so that my current wheels and tires work for me, unless it’s a cheaper process...I don’t know. I don’t do body work. I’m just learning here. And I want to know everything I can about my car. This is my first “muscle car” if you call it that.
 
76DodgeDart said:
Factory is just fine with me at this point. Something that I can use that isn’t going to rub while driving it.
When I purchased the car last fall, I was told that it needed an alignment so I had that done and bought front tires for it too because the ones that were on it were all chewed up. Now that I spent $ on new tires, it’s actually the wrong size for the car. The kid that owned it before me put them on and had the car lowered in the front for the stance. It was all screwed up. I just want factory so I can actually drive it. :)
Click to expand...
Did you take the front back to factory height? That will make a big difference. Actual factory tire was (I think) D-78 which translates to something around 195 -75-14 and looks tiny - actually pathetically undersized on the back.
 
zkx14 said:
Welcome to the coffee shop Heather!
I wanted a stock look, so used same tire all around. I went with what I found the largest that fit WELL on the front - 215 70 14. If the link works right this should show the comparison to what you are running now. Tire Size Comparison
As for the back, Ramie @straightlinespeed just did his, not sure what sizes. I know he did big back small front, but I believe was running 15's. There is also a wheels and tires thread that could be very helpful.
Keith
Click to expand...
But what I’m having a problem with when I’m going searching for is the offset for my front end/wheels...how do I find the offset on the factory wheels that I don’t have? Can you help me with that?
 
zkx14 said:
Did you take the front back to factory height? That will make a big difference. Actual factory tire was (I think) D-78 which translates to something around 195 -75-14 and looks tiny - actually pathetically undersized on the back.
Click to expand...
I think you’re right on that. And the patheticness of the skinny tire. I like what I have in the back right now. It works, but the wheels would have to be changed out to match the front when I get new ones.
 
76DodgeDart said:
But what I’m having a problem with when I’m going searching for is the offset for my front end/wheels...how do I find the offset on the factory wheels that I don’t have? Can you help me with that?
Click to expand...
I've never dealt with the backspace myself as I am running factory steel 5.5 wide. I really don't think it comes into play much on the front. A standard wheel should center the tire in the space and work fine unless you go too wide as it is now. You are probably close on the inside of the tire as well. Here are a couple calculators that will either help or confuse the hell out of you. :eek:
Rim & Tire Size Calculator. Custom Offsets
Custom rims, wheel tire packages
Sorry, but that's all I've got on backspacing. lol​
 
76DodgeDart said:
Factory is just fine with me at this point. Something that I can use that isn’t going to rub while driving it.
When I purchased the car last fall, I was told that it needed an alignment so I had that done and bought front tires for it too because the ones that were on it were all chewed up. Now that I spent $ on new tires, it’s actually the wrong size for the car. The kid that owned it before me put them on and had the car lowered in the front for the stance. It was all screwed up. I just want factory so I can actually drive it. :)
Click to expand...
If he lowered it, did he do spindles or did he just lower it via the torsion bar adjusters? I'd bet he just messed with the adjusters. Get a 3/4 in socket and raise them back up. Might find that they clear at factory height
 
dukeboy_318 said:
If he lowered it, did he do spindles or did he just lower it via the torsion bar adjusters? I'd bet he just messed with the adjusters. Get a 3/4 in socket and raise them back up. Might find that they clear at factory height
Click to expand...
Possibly, but with the width of that tire in pic, I suspect it will still be too close.
The car should be re-aligned after changing the height.
 
zkx14 said:
Possibly, but with the width of that tire in pic, I suspect it will still be too close.
The car should be re-aligned after changing the height.
Click to expand...
Yep I agree. That said, it's easy to check and free
 
When will you guys start broadcasting live from Carlisle?
 
I measured my stock ralleye wheels i got for my ‘76 dart.
Thanks for the tip on 215/70’s
Thats what i was basically looking for.
So this helps more than one.
31D4D504-5270-425F-AD17-72AE4FA21490.jpeg
 
dukeboy_318 said:
If he lowered it, did he do spindles or did he just lower it via the torsion bar adjusters? I'd bet he just messed with the adjusters. Get a 3/4 in socket and raise them back up. Might find that they clear at factory height
Click to expand...
He lowered it with the torsion bars.
I’ve also noticed that the passenger front wheel sits out a few more inches from the fender then the drivers side does. Looking down the side of the car...you can tell there’s a difference. Would you or anyone know the reasoning on that?
 
76DodgeDart said:
He lowered it with the torsion bars.
I’ve also noticed that the passenger front wheel sits out a few more inches from the fender then the drivers side does. Looking down the side of the car...you can tell there’s a difference. Would you or anyone know the reasoning on that?
Click to expand...
Hmm odd. Not sure on that
 
76DodgeDart said:
He lowered it with the torsion bars.
I’ve also noticed that the passenger front wheel sits out a few more inches from the fender then the drivers side does. Looking down the side of the car...you can tell there’s a difference. Would you or anyone know the reasoning on that?
Click to expand...
Should never be off by that much. Regardless what they did, they should have done same to both sides. I could see maybe half inch from frame, fender etc being off. The lower corner where it is actually rubbing can move a lot if the braces are missing or bent. Does it drive, steer, track OK? I'd be looking for accident damage if it's really off that much. A proper alignment would find any issues there.
 
Good morning. Here we go again with the chainsaws and the tree grinder. Good thing I have errands to run in town. I watched the rest of the History Channel Hot Rods and Muscle Cars. Even with 2 hours including commercials they left out a lot of factory hot rods. They were definitely not Corvette fans, hardly a mention of them. It was still entertaining.
 
76DodgeDart said:
Good morning everyone!
I have a 76 Dodge Dart. It came with 225/45/17 wheels & tires on the front & 235/55R17 on the rear. I have a problem with them rubbing on the fenders (front end). Can you tell me what the dimensions would be on the 14in wheels? Backspace/offset ?
So that I can start somewhere looking for a set of wheels and tires for my car?
Tia - Heather

View attachment 1715197225
Click to expand...

Sublime an Black .. Sign 'im up :thumbsup:
 
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