15 inch Wheels and Tires on a 64 Barracuda?

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Bob Watkins

Bob Watkins

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I'm about to purchase a disc brake conversion kit for my 64 Barracuda. Most of them require 15 in. wheels. It has 13 inch now, so it will be a significant change in size. I'm sure others have dealt with this- any problems encountered with 15 inch wheels?
 
I ran 15" copcar wheels on my 65 for years with no problem. Would have to look and see what rubber was on them, but no clearance problems. From memory 215s in front, 225 or 235 in back.

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I have a 66B Cuda, with 15 in Keystones. It was like this when I got it. It has the 74, up Disc Brakes, with big bolt pattern, front and rear, with an 8 1/4 rear. All with no problems.
EDIT: My tire size is Front... P195/65R15/89T
Rear...P225/60/R15/96V edited on 8-19-19

Dave

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barracudadave67 said:
I have a 66B Cuda, with 15 in Keystones. It was like this when I got it. It has the 74, up big bolt pattern, and front brakes, with an 8 1/4 rear. All with no problems.
Dave

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Thanks so much. great info. I'd hate to buy all that gear and find it won't fit. Great looking cars! Hope mine looks as good when finished. I'll post pics.
 
IDK if 235s will fit the rear and not rub. If you ran them what was the clearance? Where did you get 5 on 4 cop rims?
 
I would say 15x6 with a 215-60 tire on the front. You should be able to fit a 15x7 on the rear with a 235/60 or may be a 255/60. I have 255/60's on the rear of my Swinger but it's not a early Barracuda. I have 15x7 (4" backspace)
on my 66 Dart though with 225-70's on the black wheels and 235-70's on the Halibrands. I haven't tried the 255's from my Swinger on my 66 though. I bet they would work but be real close.

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I have 255/60R15’s on 15x6.5 rims on the rear of mine...I do have super stock springs though...15’s on early-a cars are no problem at all, just depends on tire side and rim width.

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I have a 66 fish - there is space in the back to have some decent size tires

I found - tire selection for 15" is very limited. And let's be honest the BFG T/As are not worth the money compared to other options

If you search - you can find 17" wheels with 5x4" pattern for your car - and that opens up tire selection to something modern or cheaper. I depends on looks ( I seen 17" cop wheels

1st - picture is 205/70-14s all around
2nd - picture 215/45 - 17 in front and 235/45 - 17s in back. I probably could go 245 in back

Fill the tire well

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cudajames said:
I have a 66 fish - there is space in the back to have some decent size tires

I found - tire selection for 15" is very limited. And let's be honest the BFG T/As are not worth the money compared to other options

If you search - you can find 17" wheels with 5x4" pattern for your car - and that opens up tire selection to something modern or cheaper. I depends on looks ( I seen 17" cop wheels

1st - picture is 205/70-14s all around
2nd - picture 215/45 - 17 in front and 235/45 - 17s in back. I probably could go 245 in back

Fill the tire well

View attachment 1715381403
Recall wheels look cool on there.
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I appreciate all the good info. In the disc brake kit, they say you must use a "green" axle bearing. I'm having trouble finding that for my 7 1/4 rear end. Any ideas? Here's a current pic of the car.
RLW_5429.jpg
 
I had 15 x 7.0 small bolt pattern Rallyes on my 66. I ran 195 x 60 tires, no problem. The green bearings are a downgrade for 8 3/4 rears. Make sure you specify 7 1/4 rear and the year. What bolt pattern do you want to use?
 
66fs said:
I had 15 x 7.0 small bolt pattern Rallyes on my 66. I ran 195 x 60 tires, no problem. The green bearings are a downgrade for 8 3/4 rears. Make sure you specify 7 1/4 rear and the year. What bolt pattern do you want to use?
Click to expand...

I think I'll go with the larger 5 bolt 4 1/2" pattern since most of the new wheels use that.
 
I just put SBP 15's on my 66 Valiant. Any 63-66 A should be the same clearance, or at least very close. 15x6 front with 215/65. 15x7 rear with 245/60. The front are plenty clear, the rears are good unless I forget to slow down for a speed bump, then they rub the fender. But that's with 53 year old springs in the back, which are getting replaced this winter. I expect that problem to go away.

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My 65 Barracuda has 235-60-15's all the way around. It's a pretty tight fit in the rear wheel wells but doesn't hit or rub and I'm running standard shocks (no air shocks) On the front it also is a close fit but again it doesn't rub and has standard hydraulic shocks.

As for the "green bearings" those are for an 8-3/4 rear end so you do can do away with the adjuster on the right side axle

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Here's a photo of my '65 Dart with 15X6 Cragars on the front with 195-60s on the front and 15X7 Cragars on the rear with 235-60-15 on the front. I installed the Wilwood disc brake conversion on the front and 8.75 diff on the rear, both with 5X4.5 bolt pattern. Super stock springs raise it a tad too much in the reae, so I'm lowering it in the rear with front spring perches that will lower it 1.5" at the perch.

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Bob Watkins said:
I think I'll go with the larger 5 bolt 4 1/2" pattern since most of the new wheels use that.
Click to expand...

Then you might consider an 8 1/4 rear. Rear discs are a bolt on from a jeep, as they use the same style rear. The fronts are the standard later Chrysler conversion. Swap over to the dual line master cylinder and brake lines also.
 
RON REAGLE said:
My 65 Barracuda has 235-60-15's all the way around. It's a pretty tight fit in the rear wheel wells but doesn't hit or rub and I'm running standard shocks (no air shocks) On the front it also is a close fit but again it doesn't rub and has standard hydraulic shocks.

As for the "green bearings" those are for an 8-3/4 rear end so you do can do away with the adjuster on the right side axle

View attachment 1715382299
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Whats the backspacing on your front rims ? Im interested in runninf 235 60 15s on my front also. Is your suspension stock ? No sway bar etc ?
 
The suspension was all stock with no sway bar. This car is now owned by 68GTXMAN who is on this forum. Thanks
 
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