true noob questions

[Jeremiah1981]

Hello everyone,

I have some questions that I have searched here and haven't really found the answers, but first I must say, great site, lots of useful information.
rayer:

Okay, the first question is where is the best place to get rims for the car? I have been searching for 5x4" and come across very few sites that sell these and they are shady at best. I have found some that sell 5 x 101.6mm but there are even less of these sites (one) and it is even kind of shady...

Or I know that there is a break conversion to the bigger lug pattern (5x4.5"?) How difficult is this (the 1966 Dart is my first car, and I have done very minimal work for others, so I don't have that much experience) And what do I need, is there a conversion kit? And this will make the 5x4" rims not fit, so I would be best served to buy new rims and then do this conversion, correct?

Also, speaking of rims, what is the normal tire size that I can get? would 205/75Rxx fit on a stock sedan, or do they need to be smaller? I know the offset for the rims is 4.00, or 0, but how big of tires.

I saw on one post the speaker on the dash, and it looks like it is pointing outside, what is the purpose of this speaker, is it the horn, or does it play music, and if it plays music, why is it facing outside? What are the normal sizes of speakers, including any door speakers? Does anyone in here have a better than stock stereo system? I am not looking for SPL breaking stereo, just maybe some nice door speakers, some nice 6x9's and a couple subs in the back

Last question for now, can the stock bench seat be converted to bench seats? I don't really need a console, but it would be nice. If so, how difficult is this conversion?

Okay, I have asked a few questions, and I am sure I will ask more. I also did post some pictures, and will be posting some more.

Have a great day.

 

[chasduster]

ok first...welcome to the site........we are all very helpful here.....2nd one question at a time..LOL...3rd..go the top of this page or any other and click where it says search....and type in words ...rims or, bucket conversion.....Tires...trust me the answers are their........it may take a little bit... if you get stuck PM MEMIKE OR SMALLBLOCK.......

 

[MadScientistMat]

Hello everyone,

I have some questions that I have searched here and haven't really found the answers, but first I must say, great site, lots of useful information.
rayer:

Welcome to the site! My '66 Dart was my first car too.

Okay, the first question is where is the best place to get rims for the car? I have been searching for 5x4" and come across very few sites that sell these and they are shady at best.

The 5 x 4" bolt pattern is something of a rarity, but you can find wheels for it. What sort of style are you looking for - size, going for classic looks or something more modern? There are reputable places that make rims in any size you could ask for.

I have found some that sell 5 x 101.6mm but there are even less of these sites (one) and it is even kind of shady...

Really shady - they've got the strange idea that they should convert an inch bolt pattern to metric. Who are these guys? At least that's not 5 x 100 mm - the true metric size doesn't fit.

Or I know that there is a break conversion to the bigger lug pattern (5x4.5"?) How difficult is this (the 1966 Dart is my first car, and I have done very minimal work for others, so I don't have that much experience) And what do I need, is there a conversion kit? And this will make the 5x4" rims not fit, so I would be best served to buy new rims and then do this conversion, correct?

You'll need both rims and the parts, and you can put this together cheaper with used parts rather than an official kit. It generally means swapping the rear axle and the front brakes. Though there are places that will sell disc brake conversion kits for the front end that include all you need. Biggest hassle is that the bolts that hold your suspension in place have had forty years to rust together.

Also, speaking of rims, what is the normal tire size that I can get? would 205/75Rxx fit on a stock sedan, or do they need to be smaller? I know the offset for the rims is 4.00, or 0, but how big of tires.

Offset is more like 3/4". The stock tires are somewhere around 175/80R13 in modern sizing, IIRC. I'm running 225/50R16s on my Dart. I had to mildly massage the front fenders to get them to fit, and the alignment guy took some convincing to deal with a car with tires that big as they were close to the fenders.

I saw on one post the speaker on the dash, and it looks like it is pointing outside, what is the purpose of this speaker, is it the horn, or does it play music, and if it plays music, why is it facing outside? What are the normal sizes of speakers, including any door speakers? Does anyone in here have a better than stock stereo system? I am not looking for SPL breaking stereo, just maybe some nice door speakers, some nice 6x9's and a couple subs in the back

Stock, there is only one speaker, it's in the dash and 6x9. There are cutouts under the rear package tray for three 6x9's. I have been thinking about giving my Dart a better stereo setup and I would probably make kick panel pods for the front speakers if I did so.

Last question for now, can the stock bench seat be converted to bench seats? I don't really need a console, but it would be nice. If so, how difficult is this conversion?

There was a factory bucket seat option, but it's easier to find some creative way to install late model seats than to find factory buckets in good shape. Just bring a measuring tape to the junkyard so you don't get anything too wide, and make some spacers to get the seats to fit flat on the floor.