Will They Rub? - 65 Dart Tire Wheel Combo

[PocketAces]

I'm all set to pull the trigger on tires, but before I make a mistake, I'm hoping to find someone who has run these sizes on an early A-body and can confirm they don't rub.

Car: 65 Dart Convertible, 7 1/4 Rear, Stock springs & shackles.
Wheels: Cragar SS
Front: 14x6 rim, 3.375 BS, 215/60R14 BFG Radial T/A
Rear: 15x6 rim, 3.375 BS, 225/60R15 BFG Radial T/A

I've read so many wheel tire combo threads that my eyes are ready to bleed. But I can't seem to find anything to confirm that these specific combos will not rub.

For the fronts I know width has a lot to do with it. 205 seems to be the max safe width in a 70 series. I'm betting that going down to a 60 series will allow me to increase to the 215 width.

In the rear, I read that 235's fit and 245's can be squeezed in. But that depends on backspacing. I think with a 15x7 Cragar I could safely go to 235/60R15. But with the 15x6 rims I have, I'm worried that 225 might rub.

 

[PocketAces]

You don't have to run the same staggered setup to provide useful information. If you had the same front tire/wheel combo, or the same rear tire/wheel combo, let me know how it fit. If you had even bigger tires on 6" Cragars and they didn't rub, that helps me too. Or if you ran another wheel with the same size and back spacing, I want to hear from you.

 

[PocketAces]

Nobody?

 

[toolmanmike]

They will work. I have a similar combo on my 66. I am not certain if the 7 1/4 is the same width as the 8 3/4. but I'm sure they are very close. I have 225/70-15's on 15x7 with a 4" backspace on the rear with clearance to spare. I have 215/70-14's on stock 14x6 wheels on the front with no problem. Here's a link: http://www.forabodiesonly.com/mopar/showthread.php?t=241504

tmm

 

[PocketAces]

They will work. I have a similar combo on my 66. I am not certain if the 7 1/4 is the same width as the 8 3/4. but I'm sure they are very close. I have 225/70-15's on 15x7 with a 4" backspace on the rear with clearance to spare. I have 215/70-14's on stock 14x6 wheels on the front with no problem. Here's a link: http://www.forabodiesonly.com/mopar/showthread.php?t=241504

tmm

Thanks ToolMan. I was feeling lonely.

Wow, you have pretty much the same size difference front to rear as I'm contemplating. I wouldn't have thought that 6% difference in diameter would be that noticeable. Do you have any pictures of your car from the side? I'm having a hard time telling how much of that rake is due to tires and how much is due to springs.

I know from my reading that the axles are different but I can't remember which direction.

 

[toolmanmike]

Here's a couple shots from the side, before and after. The tall 15's gave it a bit more of a rake.

 

[PocketAces]

According to this post by 65Vart 8 3/4 rear axles are slightly narrower.
http://www.forabodiesonly.com/mopar/showpost.php?p=1646456&postcount=2

This would have the same effect as more backspacing on the rim. I'm still not feeling confident that my rear wheel/tire choice won't rub on my 7 1/4 axle.