moparstud440
Well-Known Member
Seems like this question comes up alot about Barracuda's so I'm going to share my setup/experience so maybe it'll help others.
1969 Notchback Barracuda.
Factory 8 3/4 rear with big bolt pattern (Unsure what year it is)
Rear Drum brakes
Rear end is in factory location
Fenders and quarter panels are not cut
Leaf springs in stock location.
Use wheel well molding/chrome
Rear:
Wheels: Wheel Vintiques Series 54 15x8 with 4 1/2" Backspacing
Tires: Hankook Ventus (H101) P275/60R-15
Did end up having to use a 1/8" spacer on driver side and 3/16" spacer on passenger side to get 1/2" of clearance between tire and leaf spring.
Front:
Wheels: Wheel Vintiques Series 54 15x6 with 4" Backspacing
Tires: Hankook Optimo (H724) P205/70R-15 - swapped to Mastercraft Stratus A/S 205/65R-15
Car had factory 9" Drum brakes that I used at first. The 205/70 fit, but was had a tight spot when turning, so I rolled in the bottom 3-4" of the lip of the front of the fender. Got to about 5/16" clearance and drove around 500 miles and everything was fine.
This winter I swapped the drums for disc brakes (Used the upper ball joint adapter, spindles, etc from a 1981 Dodge Diplomat). This brought the wheels out a small amount and in doing so the 205/70 ended up only clearing the fender by about 1/16". So I swapped them out for 205/65 and it's right around 5/16" clearance again.
1st pic - car with 205/70
2nd pic - clearance with 205/65
3rd pic - showing fender lip rolled in
4th pic - clearance in front of rear tire
I don't have any pictures with the 205/65's yet.
The 205/70 are supposed to have a 26.3" diameter and the 205/65 are to be 25.5", but when I stood them side by side there was only about a 1/2" difference between the 2. Seems like each tire manufactures spec could be a little different. If I went with a more expensive name brand tire the tires may of been more true to their size.
1969 Notchback Barracuda.
Factory 8 3/4 rear with big bolt pattern (Unsure what year it is)
Rear Drum brakes
Rear end is in factory location
Fenders and quarter panels are not cut
Leaf springs in stock location.
Use wheel well molding/chrome
Rear:
Wheels: Wheel Vintiques Series 54 15x8 with 4 1/2" Backspacing
Tires: Hankook Ventus (H101) P275/60R-15
Did end up having to use a 1/8" spacer on driver side and 3/16" spacer on passenger side to get 1/2" of clearance between tire and leaf spring.
Front:
Wheels: Wheel Vintiques Series 54 15x6 with 4" Backspacing
Tires: Hankook Optimo (H724) P205/70R-15 - swapped to Mastercraft Stratus A/S 205/65R-15
Car had factory 9" Drum brakes that I used at first. The 205/70 fit, but was had a tight spot when turning, so I rolled in the bottom 3-4" of the lip of the front of the fender. Got to about 5/16" clearance and drove around 500 miles and everything was fine.
This winter I swapped the drums for disc brakes (Used the upper ball joint adapter, spindles, etc from a 1981 Dodge Diplomat). This brought the wheels out a small amount and in doing so the 205/70 ended up only clearing the fender by about 1/16". So I swapped them out for 205/65 and it's right around 5/16" clearance again.
1st pic - car with 205/70
2nd pic - clearance with 205/65
3rd pic - showing fender lip rolled in
4th pic - clearance in front of rear tire
I don't have any pictures with the 205/65's yet.
The 205/70 are supposed to have a 26.3" diameter and the 205/65 are to be 25.5", but when I stood them side by side there was only about a 1/2" difference between the 2. Seems like each tire manufactures spec could be a little different. If I went with a more expensive name brand tire the tires may of been more true to their size.
