'65 Dart rear end & wheelwell Q's??

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DareDevilKev

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Wondering if a later model ('67 & up) 8 3/4 will fit in my '65 dart? Also how much tire can you squeeze in the stock wheel wells? Thanks for any input! Kevin
 
yes a later a-body 8 3/4 will bolt up into your 65 dart, i have a 8 3/4 from a 70 dart under mine and it went in with absolutely no fitment issue whatsoever. Don't forget to get the lower u-bolt/shock mount plates from the donor car! your 7 1/4 plates will not work as the housing tubes on the 8 3/4 are larger. but beyond that it is an easy swap, i did it the removal and replacement by myself in the carport in about three hours. as far as wheel/tire fitment, i am running 14x8 small pattern slots with 245/60/14 tires and they rub, i had to jack the back end way up with air shock and its still close. those wheels had the same backspacing as the original stock steel wheels, i think 4"???

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-tim
 
Tim, thats exactly what I needed to know. Thanks so much! I'll post pic's as soon as I start the project. Thanks again, Kevin
 
The 4" offset looks pretty close to the springs. How close? Looks like a 7'' rim with 4" offset would be perfect. Toolmanmike
 
If you get the right offset rims, or have the rearend narrowed to your own specs, you can fit a 325/50/15 in there.

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Mopars, tell us more....
Is your rear end narrowed? Are the springs set in? What is your wheel backspace? That looks GREAT!!!
 
grimreaper said:
Mopars, tell us more....
Is your rear end narrowed? Are the springs set in? What is your wheel backspace? That looks GREAT!!!
Click to expand...

Thanks a lot! Yes, the rearend is a narrowed Dana 60. It measures 46" housing end to housing end. IIRC it makes it 51" or so drum to drum. The wheels are 15 x 10 w/ 4.5" backspacing. The leafs are moved into the frame rails. The tires fit like a glove. I'm actually planning on running 315/60/15s. I moved the rearend back .75", so the front of the tire doesn't hit the wheelwell.

Here are a few shots:

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Ditto!!! Sweet 66' Keep the photos coming as your car progresses!!
toolmanmike
 
My '65 Valiant is running the stock 7.25 rear for now, but the spring perches and track width are the same for all a-bodies.

I was able to fit a 245/60/15 BFG Radial TA under my wheel well. It's mounted on a set of custom Wheel Vintiques steelies that are 15" x 8" with a 4.875" backspace. Tires rubbed at first but I put new springs in and had them arched 2" over stock for extra clearance. Problem solved.
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what did the custom steel wheels cost? been thinking a lot about that option in order to run dog-dish hubcaps....
thanks!
-Tim
 
Optik said:
what did the custom steel wheels cost? been thinking a lot about that option in order to run dog-dish hubcaps....
thanks!
-Tim
Click to expand...

I paid $175 for the pair, plus shipping. I bought them off someone who had already had them made. i took a shot hoping they would work and they did. They're small bolt pattern too.
 
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