I dislike the implication of the word "correct." That implies that anything else would be "incorrect."
Has anyone used a wheel spacer to fill in the rear wells on a Duster?
- Thread starter Loggato
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I dislike the implication of the word "correct." That implies that anything else would be "incorrect."
I consider late model wheels on these old cars "incorrect". I don't like the look. Just personal preference and opinion.
j par
Well-hung Member
When I first got my car a friend sold me 8 and 1/4 rear end out of I think a Dakota or something and welded the purchase correctly and it had 355 open for a hundred fifty bucks. I believe it had just about an E body width on it. Going through Craigslist I found somebody selling Hemi Magnum wheels and tires for $200! The rears fit perfect with the new rear end. I had to use adapters for the front and put smaller tires on. I eventually have the front rims machined out a little bit to slip over the stock hub.
I grew tired of the look extremely quick. I tried black plasti dipping them. I finally got them sold a couple weeks ago after being on Craigslist for 9 months... I'm running cop Wheels now and love them...
My apologies, simply thought you were asking the difference...
'65-67 B-body 8.75 will add about 1" per side of width. You do not need to relocate the spring perches. You can drill the 7.25 shock mounts. I believe you can even use the 7.25 backing plates/brakes if you have 5x4.5 bolt pattern. Only thing will be shortening the drive shaft.
I made this video to show the swap. Complete rear ends can be bought for about 200-250 bucks, often including drums/backing plates.
I made this video to show the swap. Complete rear ends can be bought for about 200-250 bucks, often including drums/backing plates.
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Your cars look great! They have a great stance to them!
Yes, it has disc brakes up front. I like both the old school look and some newer style looks. This started off as an experiment as we found these 17” wheels for $80. Took some measurements, bought some tires, and bought some spacers. I like the look...
What rear end is that? Not a 8 3/4.
8.75 being installed. 8.25 coming out
8 3/4 doesn't have a rear cover. 8 1/4 does and 9 1/4 and Dana.
Ahhh I see. The video started in the middle. 
I think I fixed it. lolAhhh I see. The video started in the middle.
That’s a perfectly valid point and in most cases (not all), I agree with you. All you needed to say was the part I quoted above though.
OUR problem is the duster body is wider in the rear than your darts. We can't just make our cars look excellent with different wheels like yours do.
Sure you can. You just need the right width and offset. I don't think late model wheels and spacers are the way to get there. What look are you trying to achieve? Post some pictures of "the look". I believe you are just trying to space out the rears so they are more even with the wheel opening. If that's all you are doing a pair of spacers may be the way to go. We haven't seen your car or wheels so we are just guessing what you are up against. Spacers/adapters aren't the safest things to use.
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Loggato
Well-Known Member
I'm going for a balanced look. same spacing between wheel and fender on all 4 corners. I would also like a balanced wheel look. By that I mean I would like to use the same wheel and tire on all 4 corners rather than running staggered wheel sizes. I am not a huge fan of deep dish looking wheels. Just my personal preference. It does not have to be perfect, just wondering if it's been done before so I can start going down the path of picking wheels.
This car will never be used for more than a mild commuter and Cars and Coffee cruiser.
This car will never be used for more than a mild commuter and Cars and Coffee cruiser.
If that is the case and you want to use your current rear end, spacers are the only real option.
Spacers will work and give you the look your after. There’s just a right way and a wrong way to utilize them. Good luck getting it right for you and post up some pics when you get it right!!
Rocket-Racing
Well-Known Member
If you have an all stock slant six Duster with stock wheels I would use 1" hub centric spacers on the rear. The screw on type, like an adapter but with the same bolt pattern both ways.
1" may not seem like much but it widens the track 2" and makes the car look better but still factory. Any more with stock wheels and they tend to look spaced out.
They actually wanted a wider track/rear end for the Duster from the start because of the wide fenders but were not allowed so by the bean counters.
The Duster was developed on a real tight budget (the budget that was supposed to be used to face lift the '70 Valiant was instead used to make the Duster) and they had to use as much Valiant parts as possible.
1" spacers will make your car look just about how the designers wanted it to ;)
1" may not seem like much but it widens the track 2" and makes the car look better but still factory. Any more with stock wheels and they tend to look spaced out.
They actually wanted a wider track/rear end for the Duster from the start because of the wide fenders but were not allowed so by the bean counters.
The Duster was developed on a real tight budget (the budget that was supposed to be used to face lift the '70 Valiant was instead used to make the Duster) and they had to use as much Valiant parts as possible.
1" spacers will make your car look just about how the designers wanted it to ;)
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