to the guys that know everything about dart swingers...

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jhaas63

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I just bought my first one and plan to learn as much here as possible! Its got a 318, auto. It actually has a manual valve trans, which is fun as well. According to the fender tag, it was originally a gold color and came with the /6. I dont know what year the 318 is from and I imagine it has the 904 transmission in it. Not sure what rear end either. It runs strong and used to be owned by a guy that owned a body shop, so the paint and everything else is done right. It originally came with the stripe on the rear, so I plan to add that. I do plan to get different rim and tires for it, but I will also keep these. I have been doing some research and it appears that 15x7 wheels are the biggest that fit without rubbing. Can you tell me what size tire and what backspacing is needed that is the biggest on the rear without rubbing? I appreciate it. Here are some photos...
 

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Very nice! Looks to be a 72, with a 70 bumper and 70 grill. I believe a 71 grill has blacked out fins, where the 70 has grey fins. Very nice straight car, love the F8 green. Looks just like mine, minus the vinyl top. Post some interior pics and some engine pics when you get a chance. Looks like your headrests are in good shape too. If they're not faded, then you got lucky.
 
It is a 1972. Thanks for the info about the bumper/grill. I had no idea! Any suggestions on the wheel/tire question?

I am actually located closer to the dells, than Madison.
 
Nice looking swinger!

Post a pic of the rear end from the backside and we can tell you what it is.

Wheels and tires are a pain on a Swinger for sure, but from looking at the pics, Im pretty sure yours has had the rear wheelhouses enlarged pretty substantially. Looks like they did a nice job too.

Here's a pic of my '71

IMG_2166.jpg


See how the fenderwell is "squared" off and doesn't go above that crease in the sheetmetal? Pretty darn sure a '72 is the same.

dart6.jpg


So that's kind of cool. I bet that thing can get some huge tires on it compared to the typical Dart.
 
Yup:

Stock '72 is the same. Your quarters have been modified for bigger tires:

dodgedart002.jpg


Hard to tell, but it looks like your wheel is sitting further inside also. Rear end might be narrowed, or it might just be wheel offset or an optical illusion because of the bigger wheelhouse.
 
Good call on the wheel houses. I just thought his leafs had a huge arch and made the body sit way above the wheel. I didn't even notice it had been cut away. I did notice the wheel sitting further inside the well though, but maybe it's an illusion?

Have your leafs been moved inwards?
 
LXguy said:
Mine? No, they are in the stock location.

Looks like that Dart has got a 1970 hood also, and at least the emblem off a '70 decklid.
Click to expand...

Sorry, that was poorly directed. I was referring to the original poster's car about the leafs.

I'm also pretty sure his front bench is earlier than 72, from looking at the headrests. I could be wrong though. The gauges are correct.
 
If it's still the small bolt pattern, you'll have to find aftermarket wheels for it as Mopar didn't make any 15's in the 4" pattern.
 
Wow guys, you do not disappoint! Please keep the comments about my car coming. I am learning a ton of stuff I did not know. One of the previous owners did a lot of work to the car but he has moved, etc. and I cant speak to him. I am thinking that he had a 70 Dart parts car. I had no idea about the bumper, grill, hood or the fenders. Here are more pics!
 

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cudamark said:
If it's still the small bolt pattern, you'll have to find aftermarket wheels for it as Mopar didn't make any 15's in the 4" pattern.
Click to expand...


Yea, I was looking at the aftermarket stuff. I am wanting to do American Racing Torq Thrust D's. If I could get away with 15x8's in the back, that would rock.
 
hmm thats an 8 3/4 rear end as well, nice score. here is a pic of my 71 with 245/14s. I just got it. Cant wait to get going on it. Still plugging away on my 65.
 

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That's an 8.75 rear end. Score! (or a 9" - LOL).

Torq thrusts depends on bolt pattern. Hopefully dude upgraded to the 5*4.5 when he was doing everything else. That would be a big plus.

With those wheel wells you should be able to run a 15*8, but you're not going to be able to have more than 4" or so of backspace (depending on brakes), unless you use a spacer.

Springs don't appear to have been relocated, but obviously, that's a guess.

My car pictured above runs a 15*8 with 4.5" backspace and a 3/8 spacer. I am using B-Body brakes, whichever was the smaller of the two options (10*2.5?).
 
That's a nice clean dart. I say mini-tub and run 325's. :toothy7: Here is mine after doing a little work.
 

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someone please educate me...How can you tell this is an 8 3/4 rear end just by looking at a photo?
 

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Because there is no cover to access the gears on the back. The 8 3/4 has a 3rd member like a ford 9". Defiantly an 8 3/4 you have there.
 

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Nice Dart! You done good!

You say it came with a stripe on the rear from the factory. What is the fender tag code?
 
Good luck finding aftermarket wheels with the 4" bolt pattern. My searchs have hit dead ends every time... :(
 
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