mission complete, 285s up front on my Dart

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bentdart47

bentdart47

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When I started building my 68 into a corner carver I didn't think it was possible to run a 285 up front without some major fender mods. I'm very pleased to say that I did indeed fit 285s up front and I didn't have to touch my fenders. I do have full lock with no clearance issues.

Tires 285/30/18s Wheels are 18X9.5 6.75 backspacing.

I am not running stock suspension and I do have bigger brakes up front.

Next I plan to do a coil over conversion in the rear and mini tub.
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Thank you, when I first received the tires I had my doubts for sure. I had measured for clearance and backspacing probably 20 times during my front end build.
 
Awesome! Lots of math and measuring I'm sure!

What suspension are you running up front? I'm curious how much wider your track width is compared to stock and what turning radius changes may have occurred if any. I run 18x9's with 275/35/18's on my Duster (Demon tribute so Dart fenders), and even with a wider track with (13" Dr. diff brakes and a 3mm spacer) the 6.3" backspace rims I have put the tires right up to the frame at full lock, no extra clearance there. That's with 6.1" of effective backspace compared to a stock 73+ disk brake set up. But I know that the steering stops aren't the same length on different brands of lower ball joints even, so there's some small changes to turning radius even with "stock" parts from car to car.
 
I wanted to get it right the first time that's for sure! I'm running the GTS coil over kit up front with a wilwood 12.88 6 piston brake kit, no spacers. I was shocked when I got exactly a 6.75 spacing and not something odd ball. I haven't measured my overall track width but I have the GTS LCAs out 4 complete turns so I could be narrower if needed. I'm honestly getting a near stock or greater turn radius. I have room to spare tire clearance wise against my frame lock to lock. Tire height was more of an issue than width for me. I'm not sure how a 275/35/18 would have ended up but you may want to look into a 285/30 yourself.

It's been hilarious driving around with just a 245 out back and 285s up front. I'm very much looking forward to getting 285s in all four corners.

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Thanks, MuuMuu101 after finding exactly zero spoilers I liked I decided to make this one myself. The only other option I found was randy's spoilers and he couldn't help me with something that had a pro touring look plus I didn't like where his would mount. I attached mine under the bumper and into each fender where the supports bolt on. Here's a photo from the build process.

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Not my cup of tea, but I tell you what, I totally admire the execution! And I LOVE how you made your spoiler yourself!

I bet that thing will handle like a beeotch in heat.
 
Thanks Rusty and I understand completely! She's coming together fast and should be a solid runner.
 
bentdart47 said:
I wanted to get it right the first time that's for sure! I'm running the GTS coil over kit up front with a wilwood 12.88 6 piston brake kit, no spacers. I was shocked when I got exactly a 6.75 spacing and not something odd ball. I haven't measured my overall track width but I have the GTS LCAs out 4 complete turns so I could be narrower if needed. I'm honestly getting a near stock or greater turn radius. I have room to spare tire clearance wise against my frame lock to lock. Tire height was more of an issue than width for me. I'm not sure how a 275/35/18 would have ended up but you may want to look into a 285/30 yourself.

It's been hilarious driving around with just a 245 out back and 285s up front. I'm very much looking forward to getting 285s in all four corners.
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Oh I get it. I missed that they were 285/30/18's and not 285/35/18's. That makes more sense, that's a pretty short tire (only 24.8") so there's more frame clearance at full lock. Even my 275/35/18's are 25.6" tall. I prefer to keep the tire height closer to 26". I actually think 285/35/18's might work on my car once I'm done rolling the fender lips, depending on how aggressive I get pushing the fender out when I roll them. But with 16:1 manual steering I'll probably stay with 275/35/18's, bit of handful already.
 
Dude that's awesome. So much for the guys saying you cant run more than a 245 up front.......... Yeah tire height may be a tad shorter than the popular 26 inch standard but to me, diameter isn't as much an effect on handling as the width and thats a LOT wider rubber up front. Very nice.

Love the rims btw.

You going with the GTS 4 link on the rear?

also, have any pics of how you mounted your chin spoiler? I'm building mine as well and that's one thing im trying to conquer now is mounting it strong to where it wont rip off.
 
Thanks Dukeboy, I'd rather have the tire width as well. Wouldn't less tire height mean the brakes would have an easier time stopping the car? Anyway I'm really pleased with how these tires feel.

Yes next is a mini tub and GTS 4 link.

The chin spoiler... I hope this makes sense! Feel under your front bumper, you will have a ledge or at least I did. The front portion of my spoiler is an elongated z shape with the middle section of the z being what you see when you look at my car. I was able to hang the spoiler as I built it a section at a time off the ledge of the bumper. When you add the fender sides it gives the spoiler no way to come off with just minimal fastening. It basically locks it in although its easy to remove if I want to. I used two small allen heads for the front and used just the fender brace holes on the sides.
 
bentdart47 said:
Thanks Dukeboy, I'd rather have the tire width as well. Wouldn't less tire height mean the brakes would have an easier time stopping the car? Anyway I'm really pleased with how these tires feel.

Yes next is a mini tub and GTS 4 link.

The chin spoiler... I hope this makes sense! Feel under your front bumper, you will have a ledge or at least I did. The front portion of my spoiler is an elongated z shape with the middle section of the z being what you see when you look at my car. I was able to hang the spoiler as I built it a section at a time off the ledge of the bumper. When you add the fender sides it gives the spoiler no way to come off with just minimal fastening. It basically locks it in although its easy to remove if I want to. I used two small allen heads for the front and used just the fender brace holes on the sides.
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that's awesome, thanks for the tips on the chin spoiler. Can't wait to see another car with Carl's 4 link under it.
 
Those are what, US Mags Ramblers? I was looking at those but they didn't have a back spacing that worked for me. My wheels are Vision Torque 143s. I have some Weld RT-S S77s in my 5 year plan.
 
No they are discontinued American Racing Shelby Redlines. These have the right backspacing but you cant get them anymore.
 
bentdart47 said:
Thanks, MuuMuu101 after finding exactly zero spoilers I liked I decided to make this one myself. The only other option I found was randy's spoilers and he couldn't help me with something that had a pro touring look plus I didn't like where his would mount. I attached mine under the bumper and into each fender where the supports bolt on. Here's a photo from the build process.

View attachment 1714963363
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Your spoiler is the best execution of one that I've seen. I really like it. I'm curious how it's going to look with the back wheels now. Ironically, the 30 series tire up front doesn't seem as short as I thought it would look.
 
Thank you, I was trying to have the spoiler match the lines of the front bumper and flow rearward into the car. I do have limited sheet metal tooling, basically just a 30" bending brake at this point. While my ultimate goal in handling I hope she hooks a little better with a 285 out back.
 
bentdart47 said:
Thank you, I was trying to have the spoiler match the lines of the front bumper and flow rearward into the car. I do have limited sheet metal tooling, basically just a 30" bending brake at this point. While my ultimate goal in handling I hope she hooks a little better with a 285 out back.
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im sure she will.
 
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