Anyone Use 275/60-15 BFG TAs with Cragar Series 61C Cragar SS on Their Duster?

[TimS]

I ran into issues with trying this with BFG 295/50-15s. Too wide. Barely touch the Leafs. 295 section width is 12.1”. 275 is 11”. Should work but would like confirmation before ordering the 275s. I’ll get the 255s if need be.

Cragars are 15x8, 4.25 BS. Rear is stock 8 1/4 with stock leaves.

Thanks!

 

[Oldmanmopar]

275's on all Dusters I owned. I could only post 10. 4 1/4 BS works best

 

[TimS]

275's on all Dusters I owned. I could only post 10. 4 1/4 BS works best

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Thanks for the info !!! Do any of these have an 8 1/4 rear like my 74? I'm thinking there is length difference between the 8 1/4 and 8 3/4 that the back spacing effects as well. Looks like your 1st pic is of a 73 with Cragars. Those 275's fit without spacers and longer studs?

 

[TF360]

Tim, 275's are too big for your 74. Yes there is a size difference. You can get a 255 in there, but measure first, and most likely you'll have to roll the inside lip or cut it out of the way. It's close. I use 245/60/15's on my 74's. They fit really nice. Here is a Pic.

 

[TimS]

Tim, 275's are too big for your 74. Yes there is a size difference. You can get a 255 in there, but measure first, and most likely you'll have to roll the inside lip or cut it out of the way. It's close. I use 245/60/15's on my 74's. They fit really nice. Here is a Pic.

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I've never had issues with 275's on 8 3/4 rears and 4.25 backspace wheels but this 74 is a different animal. Like you said, this 74 has a good sized inside lip on the qtr. I know 275's won't clear the outer lip but what about the leaf springs from the inner perspective? Thanks !!

 

[Oldmanmopar]

Thanks for the info !!! Do any of these have an 8 1/4 rear like my 74? I'm thinking there is length difference between the 8 1/4 and 8 3/4 that the back spacing effects as well. Looks like your 1st pic is of a 73 with Cragars. Those 275's fit without spacers and longer studs?

7th picture is a 8 1/4 that's a 74. Back space on those wheels are 4 1/2. The 8th picture orange Duster is an 8 3.4 with big bolt 4 1/2 axles. Those are big bolt wheels with 4 1/2 Back space. Same wheels as the gray 74. primered 71 with green hood has drag lights 4 1/2 back space big bolt wheels.

8 inch Small bolt wheels need to be 4 1/4 max back space. Special order 8 inch factory rally wheels from wheels Vintique. Summit racing. Extra $100 per wheel. Small bolt cragars 8 inch wide small bolt are 4 1/4 Back space from summit. 7 inch wide wheels with 3 1/2 back space cause the 275's to hit the wheel well lip from tire bulge.

 

[TimS]

7th picture is a 8 1/4 that's a 74. Back space on those wheels are 4 1/2. The 8th picture orange Duster is an 8 3.4 with big bolt 4 1/2 axles. Those are big bolt wheels with 4 1/2 Back space. Same wheels as the gray 74. primered 71 with green hood has drag lights 4 1/2 back space big bolt wheels.

8 inch Small bolt wheels need to be 4 1/4 max back space. Special order 8 inch factory rally wheels from wheels Vintique. Summit racing. Extra $100 per wheel. Small bolt cragars 8 inch wide small bolt are 4 1/4 Back space from summit. 7 inch wide wheels with 3 1/2 back space cause the 275's to hit the wheel well lip from tire bulge.

Based on your 7th pic with the same rear the 275's should work with the big bolt Cragars and 4.25 back space. I'm going to raise the rear so not worried about wheel lip but the tires need to have room by the springs and not rub. My 295 TA's with Nomad rims and 3.75 BS have about a 1/4 inch gap at the springs and will rub the lip if rear is too low. With the wide wheel lip I would expect 275's to rub at the wheel lip. I just don't want leaf spring rub.

 

[72bluNblu]

Thanks for the info !!! Do any of these have an 8 1/4 rear like my 74? I'm thinking there is length difference between the 8 1/4 and 8 3/4 that the back spacing effects as well. Looks like your 1st pic is of a 73 with Cragars. Those 275's fit without spacers and longer studs?

The 8 1/4 is in fact narrower than an 8 3/4. An A-body 8 3/4 with SBP axles and brakes is 57 1/8” at the wheel mounting surfaces, if BBP axles and brakes have been installed they're ~57 13/16”. For an 8 1/4 (or BBP 7 1/4) it's 56 3/4”.

So with an 8.25 you should have about 5 1/2" from the spring to the WMS. With a 4.25" backspace on a 15x8 and about 1" of section width overhanging the rim you'll end up with about a 1/4" to the spring, give or take depending on your cars tolerances and the particular tire you've got (not all 275's are the same size).

It's tight, but if it rubs it won't be by much and a small spacer would take care of it.

Tim, 275's are too big for your 74. Yes there is a size difference. You can get a 255 in there, but measure first, and most likely you'll have to roll the inside lip or cut it out of the way. It's close. I use 245/60/15's on my 74's. They fit really nice. Here is a Pic.

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275's with the proper backspace will fit a Duster all day long and twice on Sunday. I tried 275's on my '74 Duster when it still had a 7.25 in it, worn out /6 leaf springs and the stock spring locations. It's tight all around but they do fit even with the car at stock ride height or lower.

 

[TimS]

Was trying to use the 275's without having to add spacers. The drilled 61C Cragar SS lug nuts suggested by the manufacturer don't have allot of shank into the wheel hole like unilug nuts do. They are more like an acorn nut. Don't want these dogs coming loose on me.

 

[72bluNblu]

Was trying to use the 275's without having to add spacers. The drilled 61C Cragar SS lug nuts suggested by the manufacturer don't have allot of shank into the wheel hole like unilug nuts do. They are more like an acorn nut. Don't want these dogs coming loose on me.

Totally get it. The measurements are close, they may fit just fine or they might be right on the edge. Unfortunately it’s tight enough that it will come down to your car’s tolerances.

 

[TimS]

Totally get it. The measurements are close, they may fit just fine or they might be right on the edge. Unfortunately it’s tight enough that it will come down to your car’s tolerances.

Just trying to decide which size to pull the trigger on. 255 or 275.

 

[mbaird]

just run a set of 195/70-14 of a decent brand radial and get the same traction as the 275/60 BFG T/As … lol. Sorry but those tires are only for looks .

 

[72bluNblu]

Just trying to decide which size to pull the trigger on. 255 or 275.

With that set of wheels, if the rule is "absolutely no spacers" I would probably get 255's to start off with.

Like I said, I think those wheels will probably be fine with 275's, but, if you buy them and they rub by 1/16" there'd be no solution other than adding a spacer.

just run a set of 195/70-14 of a decent brand radial and get the same traction as the 275/60 BFG T/As … lol. Sorry but those tires are only for looks .

As a guy that runs 275/35/18's and 295/40/18's, I can guarantee there was a MASSIVE performance improvement over even the 225's I had on it before. That's just fact. 195/70/14's are like driving a hippo on ice skates.

 

[QuickDart360]

I have a 1974 dodge dart sport with an 8.25. I currently have 15x7 rally wheels with 4.25 backspace with 275 60 15 tires. However, I have the offset leaf spring hangers and moved my spring pads to accommodate the offset hangars. Tires clear fine. Occasionally rub on the inner fender. But overall fit is good. Way better than the 14 rims it came from factory.

 

[mbaird]

With that set of wheels, if the rule is "absolutely no spacers" I would probably get 255's to start off with.

Like I said, I think those wheels will probably be fine with 275's, but, if you buy them and they rub by 1/16" there'd be no solution other than adding a spacer.



As a guy that runs 275/35/18's and 295/40/18's, I can guarantee there was a MASSIVE performance improvement over even the 225's I had on it before. That's just fact. 195/70/14's are like driving a hippo on ice skates.

I was mocking BFG T/A‘s….they are an old design that are rock hard . I get better traction with 205/70-14 Michelins and my brother just put stock size bias plys that are far smaller than his BFGs and was amazed at how much better the bias plys grip .
T/As are show car tires. Not performance tires.

 

[72bluNblu]

I was mocking BFG T/A‘s….they are an old design that are rock hard . I get better traction with 207/70-14 Michelins and my brother just put stock size bias plys that are far smaller than his BFGs and was amazed at how much better the bias plys grip .
T/As are show car tires. Not performance tires.

Totally agree. My mistake, I read it as a tire size thing.

 

[PROSTOCKTOM]

With an 8" wide rim you would be better off with a 255 than a 275 anyway and it will fit nice.

Tom

 

[TimS]

Glad to hear he kept the numbers matching block and you got it with the purchase. Is the trans the numbers matching one, too?

Mine still has the numbers matching block, but the trans was long gone when I drug it out of the JY. I have toyed with pulling the motor and storing it just so I didn’t have to worry about something happening, but it’s nice have it all in one place and mobile.

With that set of wheels, if the rule is "absolutely no spacers" I would probably get 255's to start off with.

Like I said, I think those wheels will probably be fine with 275's, but, if you buy them and they rub by 1/16" there'd be no solution other than adding a spacer.



As a guy that runs 275/35/18's and 295/40/18's, I can guarantee there was a MASSIVE performance improvement over even the 225's I had on it before. That's just fact. 195/70/14's are like driving a

I’m thinking the 255s would be a safer choice. I’ve got those on my 68 Barracuda with the 61C Cragars now. They fit well. I’ll just keep the black Nomads with the 295/50 tires for a different look and swap back and forth when the mood strikes.

 

[72bluNblu]

I’m thinking the 255s would be a safer choice. I’ve got those on my 68 Barracuda with the 61C Cragars now. They fit well. I’ll just keep the black Nomads with the 295/50 tires for a different look and swap back and forth when the mood strikes.

And you can always change them out later if you think they’ll fit once you’ve seen the 255’s in there!

 

[TimS]

Thanks for all the input with this decision.

I've ordered the 255's and plan to keep the 295's on the black Nomads to swap back and forth. Was going to buy a set of drag radials for the Nomads and run it down the track a bit while the stroker was still in the car, but oh well.

 

[go-fish]

I did the same thing @TimS I went with the 255’s first and glad I did. I have 15x8 rallyes with 4.5” bs. I need to run a thin spacer with my 73’s 8.25.
The plan is to swap to an 8.75 when these tires are done and reassess.

Also running a 225 in front with fender extension rods that push the fenders out a bit more. I rolled the lips on the front slightly. The real culprit was the trim catching the tire.

 

[E Satterfield]

275-60/15 on 15x8 Cragar SS. Super Stock springs 8.75 rear.

 

[Chris1974]

The 8 1/4 is in fact narrower than an 8 3/4. An A-body 8 3/4 with SBP axles and brakes is 57 1/8” at the wheel mounting surfaces, if BBP axles and brakes have been installed they're ~57 13/16”. For an 8 1/4 (or BBP 7 1/4) it's 56 3/4”.

So with an 8.25 you should have about 5 1/2" from the spring to the WMS. With a 4.25" backspace on a 15x8 and about 1" of section width overhanging the rim you'll end up with about a 1/4" to the spring, give or take depending on your cars tolerances and the particular tire you've got (not all 275's are the same size).

It's tight, but if it rubs it won't be by much and a small spacer would take care of it.


275's with the proper backspace will fit a Duster all day long and twice on Sunday. I tried 275's on my '74 Duster when it still had a 7.25 in it, worn out /6 leaf springs and the stock spring locations. It's tight all around but they do fit even with the car at stock ride height or lower.

Can you explain stock ride height on a 74 duster because my FSM does not it only tells how to measure it and refer to the specifications but there is no actual height measurement that I see?

 

[TF360]

So why use a spacer? A 245/60/15 fits real nice and no spacer required plus no rubbing. You get a nice raked look. Bigger (too big) is not always better.

 

[Oldmanmopar]

I did the same thing @TimS I went with the 255’s first and glad I did. I have 15x8 rallyes with 4.5” bs. I need to run a thin spacer with my 73’s 8.25.
The plan is to swap to an 8.75 when these tires are done and reassess.
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Also running a 225 in front with fender extension rods that push the fenders out a bit more. I rolled the lips on the front slightly. The real culprit was the trim catching the tire.
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With an a-body 8 3/4 and big bolt axles the wheels you have 4 1/2 BS will fit without spacers.