Need you help on wheel size

[vanceboy]

So a little over a month ago I bought a 1969 Dodge Charger RT. It’s the car I've been dreaming of since I was 15 years old. That was 54 years ago. At least that's one thing off the bucket list! LOL

Picture 1 is the day I got it. The first thing I did was raise the suspension back up to stock height, Picture 2.

I was advised on this forum that I should have the alignment redone. I had also noticed that there was a slight vibration in the wheels when I was over 60 mph.

So today I took it in to have the alignment done and the wheels balanced. What did we find out but that 3 out of the 4 Magnum 500 wheels were not true. So, it's time for new wheels!

To me, nothing says late 60’s, early 70’s like Chrome Crager Super Sport Wheels and raised white letter BFG radials!

From what I have read here on the forum, it seems like 275-60-15 rears and 235/70/15 fronts is the consensus for good handling and looks.

So my question is, what are the specs (width, offset, bolt circle, etc.) I need for the wheels to properly fit those tires on my Charger?

For extra points, let me know if you know of the best online place to buy said tires and wheels.

Thanks to all of the experts!

I’m learning every day.

 

[440 4 speed]

Why not true the wheels?

 

[vanceboy]

Why not true the wheels?

First off, I didn't realize you could do that.

But second (and probably more importantly), I've always wanted the Cragers and BFG's anyway and I thought this was the perfect reason.

 

[WileE]

7" for the front, 8" for the rear. Backspace 4 1/8 , 2 1/2. Standard bolt circle Mopar/Ford 5 x 4 1/2. The typical ones available at Jegs or Summit.

 

[vanceboy]

7" for the front, 8" for the rear. Backspace 4 1/8 , 2 1/2. Standard bolt circle Mopar/Ford 5 x 4 1/2. The typical ones available at Jegs or Summit.

WileE, thanks for the info.

Don't understand backspace 4 1/8, 2 1/2?
Is that front wheel backspace 4 1/8
Rear wheel backspace 2 1/2?

Also it says on bfg wheel chart front wheels could fit 6 to 8 inch wide rims and rears could fit 7.5 to 9.5 rims. Could I just get 8" all around to make things simple or is that a bit too wide for the front?
Thanks

 

[WileE]

Thats the backspace listed for those wheels. Same as I have on one of my cars. for a 235/70 you want a 7" wheel. And your car is gorgeous !!

 

[496 polara]

15x8 with 4.5 backspace on the rear 275/60/15
15x7 with 4" or 4.25 backspace on the front 235/70/15

Was the vibration better or worse after the balancing? How old are the current tires and have they been sitting for periods of time?

Wheels can be straightened but you want a reputable company to check them out.

I think you have the perfect wheels for your car but it is not my car.If you had two good enough for the front you could buy two 15x8 for the rear. Cragar s/s wheels are not only expensive they are HEAVY if that is a consideration.

I would have any new wheels spun for straightness before mounting any tires. Tolerances aren't what they used to be.

 

[vanceboy]

15x8 with 4.5 backspace on the rear 275/60/15
15x7 with 4" or 4.25 backspace on the front 235/70/15

Was the vibration better or worse after the balancing? How old are the current tires and have they been sitting for periods of time?

Wheels can be straightened but you want a reputable company to check them out.

I think you have the perfect wheels for your car but it is not my car.If you had two good enough for the front you could buy two 15x8 for the rear. Cragar s/s wheels are not only expensive they are HEAVY if that is a consideration.

I would have any new wheels spun for straightness before mounting any tires. Tolerances aren't what they used to be.

Polara thanks for the info.

Vibration was slightly better after the balancing but was not gone (this is the expensive balancing also, forgot what it is called).

They showed me the wheels on the machine and they were definitely wobbling. This is a reputable shop and I trust them.

If I had two good wheels I would consider just getting two more wider ones for the back but there was only one good magnum 500.

Tires were made in 2022 and have almost no milage on them, tread looks brand new.

 

[4mulas]

Summit racing,
235 70 15 is maybe one size too big on the front. Consider 225/70r15
15x7 front wheels with around 4" backspacing
15x8 rear wheels with about 4.5’ backspacing

 

[vanceboy]

Summit racing,
235 70 15 is maybe one size too big on the front. Consider 225/70r15
15x7 front wheels with around 4" backspacing
15x8 rear wheels with about 4.5’ backspacing

Thanks for the info. I hope youre wrong on the front tire size because i already ordered the 235 /70. I saw a chart somewhere that showed it was the same diameter as the 275/60. I hope i like the look.

I can see how some people might like the front tires to be slightly smaller in diameter then the rears.

I had to order right away because bfg had a tire rebate that ended today so i saved a few bucks.

 

[33 IMP]

I agree with 4mulas wheel recommendations exactly. (And 496 polara too).
The question is if crager sells ss's with those exact sizes and backspace. I'm sceptical.
Also look for single pattern 5 on 4 1/2 bolt pattern, ONLY. I'd avoid "fits chevy too!" wheels if possible.
And, you might need longer studs all the way around if your new cragars use conical lugnuts.

 

[hunt2elk]

If you have your heart set on Cragars, go with the direct drill series. I used those on my Bee and like them a lot better than unilugs.

 

[R413]

Yes direct bolt is nice to have.
Unilugs are not fun, a lot of fiddling around for nothing.

 

[vanceboy]

To all,

Thanks for your help!

I ordered Crager SS direct fit wheels all around. 15 X7 fronts ( 4 ' backspace) and 15 x 8 rears (4-1/4 backspace).

BFG radial TA front 235/70-15
BFG radial TA rear 275/60-15

Hope it looks good!

Vance

 

[KozmicKuda]

So today I took it in to have the alignment done and the wheels balanced. What did we find out but that 3 out of the 4 Magnum 500 wheels were not true. So, it's time for new wheels!
.

Back in the 1980s I worked part time at a large Sears store in the automotive garage to earn money to pay for my Mopar hobby. I literally mounted and balanced thousands of tires over 6 years. I was very conscientious and was employee of the month several times a year. So it was common to work with all types of factory wheels when they were somewhat new.

When someone brought back new tires to be rebalanced, my boss steered them my way because I could usually fix them. One guy was an over the road trucked and he would ask for me by name.

Our balancer used a cone that indexed on the wheel center hole which worked fine for most wheels. However, Magnum 500 wheels were one of the oddball ones because the centers are stamped steel WITHOUT a normal center hole. You could mount a Magnum wheel to the cone but it wasn't accurate because it relied on the stamping to be dead nuts, and of course they weren't. Even though the machine zeroed out the balance would be off.

We had an attachment for the balancer that required more work that most guys wouldn't take the time to use. It had 5 separate studs that adjusted to different bolt patterns. The wheel was then attached to the studs with nuts and worked great fir the oddball wheels.

Based on my experience, I doubt that 3 of your wheels are bent. One maybe, 3 never.

You can verify yourself by jacking up the car and spinning the front wheels. You will easily see if they are bent. Then swap the rears to the front and do the same.

I'll admit it's been many years since I've been near a balancer and don't know if they still use the centering cone or something different. In my opinion, you need to find a shop that can do a proper balance job.

*******
I've never been a fan of the Magnums but they just look right on late 60s Mopars. I recently bought a 69 Charger with the 14" factory Magnum style wheels and they are OK for now. If I upgrade I'm considering 15" all chrome Magnums or the 17" YearOne style just to keep the vibe.

 

[33 IMP]

.....or just jack both rear wheel off the ground, and idle the engine in gear, and observe.

 

[rklewis1005]

ok, stupid question. Are those wheel sizes what will fit a standard 68-70 Charger with the standard 10" drum brakes? I'm staying factory 14" wheels for my initial restore, but book marking the info for future when I want something a little bigger.

 

[vanceboy]

ok, stupid question. Are those wheel sizes what will fit a standard 68-70 Charger with the standard 10" drum brakes? I'm staying factory 14" wheels for my initial restore, but book marking the info for future when I want something a little bigger.

Well, I talked directly to a tech person at Crager and those are the wheels sizes he recommended and he never asked me if I had drums or disks so I would assume those wheels fit both.