Tire sizes, AGAIN?

[HeyRay]

Ok, probably asked a 100 times before,
I have a set of Cragar SS rims, 14x6 and 14x8. Small bolt pattern. I want to run them on my 65 Dart. The 6" are not a problem on tire size, but the rear, I'm not sure if I can get a small enough tire on the 8" rims. I am concerned about clearance in the wheel well. Any one have any experience with this? Thanks in advance.

 

[Red's '72 Dart]

I am runing a set of 17" on my dart. Right now the tire size is 235/45R17. I will be going up to size 245/50R17 next time. Plenty of room. Here is a web site that breaks down all of the tire measurements. It has really helped me find the right tire sizes for all of my vehicles.

TireSize.com - Compare Tire Sizes, Specs, Prices & more

pics of my car before with 14" steel wheels, and after with the 17" wheels.

 

[toolmanmike]

Ok, probably asked a 100 times before,
I have a set of Cragar SS rims, 14x6 and 14x8. Small bolt pattern. I want to run them on my 65 Dart. The 6" are not a problem on tire size, but the rear, I'm not sure if I can get a small enough tire on the 8" rims. I am concerned about clearance in the wheel well. Any one have any experience with this? Thanks in advance.

I don't believe you will be able to run 8 wides on the back without jacking the back way up. 7's with a 4- 4 1/2'' backspace maximum.

 

[toolmanmike]

I am runing a set of 17" on my dart. Right now the tire size is 235/45R17. I will be going up to size 245/50R17 next time. Plenty of room. Here is a web site that breaks down all of the tire measurements. It has really helped me find the right tire sizes for all of my vehicles.

TireSize.com - Compare Tire Sizes, Specs, Prices & more

pics of my car before with 14" steel wheels, and after with the 17" wheels.

View attachment 1716476432

Cool look but 2 things, you are running 17" diameter with no mention of width or backspace.
#2, Your Dart is not an early A body like the OP's 65 Dart. 2 different cars except the fact that you can't run 8" wide wheels either without some modifications.

 

[66Dartdriver]

Yes I agree with toolman. You definitely want to size them up on your own car to see what your car will measure out to.

 

[toolmanmike]

Never wider than 7" with a max of 225-60 tire. You could barely slide your fingers between the tire and wheel lip. You may be able to fit an 8" wide in there with just the right tire but it would have to be a specific backspace and you would probably have to trim the wheel lip and no wheel opening moldings. That won't happen with Cragar SS's.

 

[33IMP]

If you have the backspace I think you have on the 14x8s, there's not a chance that you'll be able to get an appropriate tire for the width of the rim, under the car.
I actually had 225s on a 8.5" rim, they were rediculously small, and still barely cleared the fender on a b-body. Simply the wrong backspacing, by at least an inch. I'm betting your 14x8s are the same.
.Measure the backspace on your 14x8. Unless it's AT LEAST 4 1/2-5", no chance at all. None. (I'm betting they're closer to 3 1/2)

 

[toolmanmike]

The old carpenter says, "measure twice, cut once"

 

[33IMP]

Those 14x8s might work on a Duster or Demon, with the right tire. Sell em, and buy another pair of 6s (or 7s) for the rear.
Personally.... I'd get 15x6 and put 215-225s on em.

 

[CTMopar]

If you have the backspace I think you have on the 14x8s, there's not a chance that you'll be able to get an appropriate tire for the width of the rim, under the car.

8” rims will accommodate a tire width from a 215 to a 245. I have 245/60/15s on 15” rims on my 65. I don’t know the width or bs because the rims came with the car. I can fit my finger between the tire and the quarter. There is some occasional rubbing so the next set will be 235s

 

[RustyRatRod]

You're gonna need to measure to be 100% sure.

 

[toolmanmike]

It's not necessarily about what size tire will fit properly on an 8" rim (that can be an issue) but what width rim fits under an early A without heating, beating, trimming, and the like, without rubbing. A 7" wide rim with a 4"-4.5" backspace is all that will comfortably work.

 

[33IMP]

8” rims will accommodate a tire width from a 215 to a 245. I have 245/60/15s on 15” rims on my 65. I don’t know the width or bs because the rims came with the car. I can fit my finger between the tire and the quarter. There is some occasional rubbing so the next set will be 235s

If you don't know the width or backspace of your rims, you might have sevens. 245s will fit on sevens fine, imo. For an early A, the bs will have to be perfect! Yours must be. Cragar SS are famous for a "deep dish" look. It's a very attractive look, but often results in too little backspace. Without knowing what bs his rims have , I'm not willing to say they'll fit, and my experience tells me they probably wont.

 

[toolmanmike]

Obviously a 8" rim will fit. For an early A, the bs will have to be perfect! Yours must be. Cragar SS are famous for a "deep dish" look. It's a very attractive look, but often results in too little backspace. Without knowing what bs his rims have , I'm not willing to say they'll fit, and my experience tells me they probably wont.

Exactly. They won't fit on a 67 on up either. I have 7's with a 4.5' backspace and I can't pass my fingers between the tire and the outer wheel lip.

 

[RustyRatRod]

It's not necessarily about what size tire will fit properly on an 8" rim (that can be an issue) but what width rim fits under an early A without heating, beating, trimming, and the like, without rubbing. A 7" wide rim with a 4"-4.5" backspace is all that will comfortably work.

Puzackly. I just confirmed what I've always thought is that the early A bodies (Valiants and Barracudas at least) have a little more room than the 67 and up Valiants and Darts.