Will they fit?

[adamp]

Im sure everyone is tired of these threads, but I can't seem to find the answer...

Will 18x9.5" rear wheels fit on a 1970 Dodge Dart?

These are what im looking at:
18x8 front
18x9.5" rear

 

[72bluNblu]

18x9.5" rims are ~10.5" wide outside to outside (the 9.5" is where the tire mounts on the inside of the lip). On my '71 Dart there's 11" from the springs to the quarter lip with the springs in the stock location. That means if the backspacing was perfect you'd only have a 1/4" of clearance on each side to the rim, without even considering the tire.

So, with the springs in the stock location those aren't going to fit. With a 1/2" spring offset you could probably run them, assuming the backspace is correct for your rear axle and brake set up.

But, without a 1/2" spring offset the widest tire you'll likely be able to fit out back is a 245, and a 245/45/18 or a 245/40/18 will both fit on an 18x8 anyway.

 

[adamp]

Thanks, ill probably just go 18x8 all around.

 

[72bluNblu]

That's probably the easier way to go. You can still pretty much max out the wheel wells in the back with that combo if you have the stock spring locations. Some guys do get away with running a 255 in the back and that would take a 9" wide rim, but not all cars can manage that width in stock form especially if you're lowered. Mixed bag with a 255, some cars need trimming of the quarter lips, some say it works fine, but if you're lowered the odds are a 255 won't work anyway so the 18x8" will get you to a 245 and that's a better bet if you don't want to trim back the quarter lip.