4" back spacing versus 4.5"

[hemi68charger]

Hello All,
I was curious if anyone runs 15x8 rims on their B-body Mopars with a 4" back spacing ( negative offset ). Typical, and correct me if I'm wrong, but most OEM wheels in the 15x7, 15x8 style have a 4.5" back spacing? I know the rim on a 4" back spacing would stick out closer to the wheel well opening, but would it be dangerously close? I have 15x8 Magnum 500's on the Daytona, but was wondering about the 4" back spacing..

Thanks in advance.
Troy

[Dino]

I would run a 15x8 with 4" backspacing before a 4.5".  I like the tire to be closer to the wheel lip.

One of the members here 472 R/T SE, has a purple '70, runs a 275 on a 15x8 with 3.75" bs without hitting the lip so it can be done. 

Scroll down to see pics of his car.

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,63191.125.html

[Troy]

My turquoise 68 had 3 3/4" BS with 255s on back.

Troy

[cdr]

15x8---4 back will work,,,,thats 4 in & 4 out,i have 15x10,5 back,,,,so thats 5 in & 5 out  with 295 50 15.

[Hard Charger]

got 295 60's with a 4" BS on weld drag lites for 10 years now. no issues but i do have longer studs and deep sitting lug nuts. i do not have a problem with the lugs nuts loosening up either.

[hemi68charger]

Thanks guys.. But, I need to know about the front wheels as well. When I do this, I will want all four the same.......

[Hard Charger]

no reason to keep them the same unless you have an issue you are trying to take care of.

the front wheels are a differant issue, the stress's are far differant.

the spacer is usualy a byproduct of wide tires or in my case the same offset as the front tires. i am guessing that the guy i bought the car from got a good deal on the weld rims. my tires on the rear is about 1/4" away from the leaf spring. if i shelled out $500 i could by the appropriate back spaced rims.

why do you need them up front?

[hemi68charger]

no reason to keep them the same unless you have an issue you are trying to take care of.

the front wheels are a differant issue, the stress's are far differant.

the spacer is usualy a byproduct of wide tires or in my case the same offset as the front tires. i am guessing that the guy i bought the car from got a good deal on the weld rims. my tires on the rear is about 1/4" away from the leaf spring. if i shelled out $500 i could by the appropriate back spaced rims.

why do you need them up front?

I want all four tires the same size. I really don't care to have larger on the back, or smaller on the front (whichever one wants to look at it). I prefer to have them all the same size..... Plus, it is easier and better for rotation of the tires with time.....

[Hard Charger]

i got 8" wide rim out back and 7" in front. rides ok and i like the look. never thought about it until i sent the car out for body work, i put back on the steel 14" wheels. the car drove great. smokeshows were great the car manual steering was easy, much better than the mags drove..

8" rims up front with the 4" off set would drive like a tank in comparison and to me look funny.

your charger probably is your every day car, therefor i would not be concerned with rotating tires. you will need to drive for years to put enough miles on to need rotation.

tires are cheap enough in comparison to running your classic car.

[b5blue]

Tan Top is running 4" backspace X4 with 255 R60's. He's got pics posted. I plan on running the same on my 70 also. If you consider rim width placement to front suspension overall geometry 4" backspace should work better with the steering arc. (Your maintaining rim to hub positioning the same as a 7" wide rim with 4.5" backspace.)   

[oldcarnut]

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,98174.msg1164281.html#msg1164281

A few more opinions that have run them

[AKcharger]

15X8 w 4 inch B/S (pretty sure anyway) on a 3rd Gen but diamentions are the same