New wheels are on!

[Dino]

As many of you know, I have been looking for wheels for a while and had a hard time deciding.  I did keep coming back to the MB old school wheels and especially the 9.5" wide version which has a pretty wide machined lip.

The only rim with that wide lip was 17" so that meant not going with the more common 15" and rwl tires.  I also wanted a thicker sidewall to cushion the ride seeing Michigan has such wonderful roads...

After a lot of contemplating, looking at others' rides, I figured it's only wheels, the car will not explode when I bolt them on and they don't look right.

I went ahead and ordered a set of 17x8 with Nitto NT555 245/45 for the front and 17x9.5 with Nitto NT450 275/50 on the back.  There's about 2" difference in tire height giving me exactly the rake I wanted.  It's there but it's not in your face.  Not that there's anything wrong with that, just not my style.

As I thought, the wheels do not come out as far as I wanted due to the limited choice in backspace.  Front has 4.5 while rear has 5.5.  

I'm not going to mess around with spacers but since I will get disc brakes on all 4, maybe there's a way to bring the disc hubs out further than the drums?  I like how it sits now, but 1/2" to 1" less backspacing would be pretty much perfect.

This is only optional though since there is more room to bring them out but as it sits, I am very happy with the results.  The car handles a lot better, the tires are quiet and the steering feels a bit tighter which is a bonus.  

A special thanks to Skijogg who sold me a drum and hub with RH threaded studs and got it to me real fast.  While I was removing the old drum, the postman dropped off the new!  I also removed the old bolts in the axle with the help of a BFH, cleaned the holes a bit and pulled the new studs in which went pretty well.  

As soon as I had them on, I drove back to Discount Tire and they torqued them for me and made sure everything was okay.

The memorial day sale was going on and I also found a better price for the tires online so they matched that and gave me $200 in rebates.  Total cost around $1300.

I know some of you can't stand the sight of bigger wheels but with this amount of sidewall I feel it looks like a classic wheel with a modern touch.

[Dino]

more

[Dino]

more

[Dino]

last ones for now with the new wheels

[Dino]

before

[Patronus]

The wheel wells looked pretty lonely with those old 14's in there... what a difference. Looking real good.

[XS29L]

Looks sharp !  Now you've got room for some big disc brakes.

[lasvegas69charg]

nice setup and a great price. 

[Back N Black]

Very nice! Good wheel choice.

[skip68]

Looks great.   

[Ram07]

That looks really good!! 

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

Wow great choice!  Looks awesome

[bull]

Nice! What's the rear offset?

[JB400]

The suspense is over     Looks great

[cdr]

DINO you did great !!!! those wheels look really good on YOUR car ,i like it a lot.   

[BrianShaughnessy]

 

[FlatbackFanatic]

Those wheels and tires look great!!

[Baldwinvette77]

Oooooo Thats delicious 

[Mopar Nut]

Good choice. 

[General_01]

They look great. 

[71green go]

Dino...Great Look....I would be Very happy also!...what a change in the look of the car!

[RIDELIKEHELL]

I really like them My BOSS 338's are same width but 18's....I think they are a huge upgrade in the look department

[b5blue]

ME LIKE! Crap now ya got me thinkin!! 

[Fred]

Spot on. 

[Ryan.C]

that is one tuff looking charger.
love the wheels, what are they called and where do I get a set?

[Charger-Bodie]

Looks great Dirk! Did you get any free pens with the drum?

[loudmouthaussie]

Saw these on a med blue 70 elco yesterday down here in oz. Looked sweet :-)

[bill440rt]

Looks GREAT, Dino!! 
Sidewall is spot on.
You're first instinct is usually the right decision. All that matters is that YOU like them!   

[WHITE AND RED 69]

Looking good Dino!    Plenty of meat on those tires and looks just right.  

[Kern Dog]

Nice work. The wheel size looks great and the styling is classic enough to match the car and new enough to appear fresh. Your tires fill the wheelwells just right and give the car a more aggressive look. You will like these tires. I have the 555s on my Charger. I went with 275-40-18s up front on a 9 inch wheel and 295-45-18s on a 10 out back. These cars just beg for wheels with more offset. I have had some trouble with tire clearance in the rear due to the strange design of the outer wheel tub, but I love the look of wider tires on these cars. Although I like the Magnum wheel design, they are too small for the cavernous wheel openings of the B body cars.

[greenpigs]

Looks good Doc

[XS29L9Bxxxxxx]

Looks great 

[Dino]

Thanks for the comments folks, I'm very happy with these!  Next up is disc brakes all around.  I know I can stick with drums on the rear but the whole drum shows and it's not something to brag about.  I had to paint the drums black since all 4 had a different shade of rust and the left rear was, of course, red.  I suppose it's time to contact Dr.Diff or have you guys figured out the best kits for these cars that fit a 17" wheel?  The car does not race, it's strictly being used as a ... car.  

Aww I just realized my speedometer's gonna be off again... are those little transmission gears still available?

Brian yes I did get some pens, how did you know?  

Bull the backspacing for the rear is 5.5" so that's an offset of 6.

[BIGBLCK11]

  Wheels look great!

YearOne lists some speedo pinion gears available as new Chrysler, but they are pricey.  They must have bought the license or remaining stock.  I didn't see them available from Chrysler in the Mopar Performance catalog either.  I bought a nice used one on Ebay($16).  The guy lists all the ones he has available and you just bid on the auction and pick the one you need.  They look like new, I don't think they really wear too much.  Also, He is only in PA, so you get it in like 2 days.  He also has a chart in the auction, even if you don't buy from him.  I also added another link for a chart below.  Somebody on the site probably has some as well. 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/MOPAR-SPEEDOMETER-PINION-GEAR-GEARS-DODGE-PLYMOUTH-JEEP-727-833-SPEEDO-NP435-/151041741278?pt=Vintage_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item232aca11de&vxp=mtr

https://www.yearone.com/Catalog/1966-74-a-b-e-body/transmission/speedometer/pinions-.-new-chrysler

http://www.mymopar.com/speedometer.htm

[Brass]

Nice!  Looks way better. 

[Dino]

Wheels look great!

YearOne lists some speedo pinion gears available as new Chrysler, but they are pricey.  They must have bought the license or remaining stock.  I didn't see them available from Chrysler in the Mopar Performance catalog either.  I bought a nice used one on Ebay($16).  The guy lists all the ones he has available and you just bid on the auction and pick the one you need.  They look like new, I don't think they really wear too much.  Also, He is only in PA, so you get it in like 2 days.  He also has a chart in the auction, even if you don't buy from him.  I also added another link for a chart below.  Somebody on the site probably has some as well. 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/MOPAR-SPEEDOMETER-PINION-GEAR-GEARS-DODGE-PLYMOUTH-JEEP-727-833-SPEEDO-NP435-/151041741278?pt=Vintage_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item232aca11de&vxp=mtr

https://www.yearone.com/Catalog/1966-74-a-b-e-body/transmission/speedometer/pinions-.-new-chrysler

http://www.mymopar.com/speedometer.htm

Thanks for the link, $21 shipped works for me so I ordered one!   

[bull]

Bull the backspacing for the rear is 5.5" so that's an offset of 6.

[chargerboy69]

Dirk,  The wheels look great, they really change the entire look of the car, nice choice.     I see you mentioned brakes.  I am also in the market for  a 4 wheel disc brake set up. After reading, searching for months I am ready to pull the trigger on this kit from Right Stuff. I have heard nothing bad about them.

http://www.restorationperformance.com/servlet/the-171337/62-dsh-%2772-B-fdsh-E-Body-Mopar/Detail

I talked to Cass (Dr. Diff) last week and his set like this one is $1930.00, almost $900.00 more. I was not really thinking of going with the 13" packages mainly because I have other sets of wheels.  And what if I want to throw on my 15" wheels for a weekend, I would not be able too with too large of package.

Best of luck.

Tim

[tan top]

      good choice !!  totally changed the look of the car     

[greenpigs]

Read this before buying anything.


http://www.moparaction.com/tech/archive/disc-main.html

[Dino]

Tim I was looking at the exact same kit, it's hard to beat for the price.  I'm uncertain at this point what to do about rotor size.  On one hand I want the biggest I can fit so my car will stop as effective as possible and on the other hand I have the same concern as you do; what if I want to install 15" wheels inthe future? 

Piggy I thought about going that route but I just don't have much time so I don't want to hunt for parts but order something and bolt it on.

At this point I'm open to options though.

[hemi68charger]

Lookin' Good !!! 

[Dino]

Now I still have the, new in the box, Wilwood front kit, it was bought by the po in '01 I think...

It's all there, the solid 10.75" rotors, billet 4 piston calipers and all the parts.

If I get bigger brakes then I'll just get a kit for front and rear but I 'could' keep this one and get a kit for the rear.  Thoughts?

Tim, I also found that with the right stuff kit, and likely others, it says you need the green bearings on the rear axle.  Any idea why that would be?  Since I actually take corners with my car I'm a bit reluctant to get the green bearings.

Btw, tested out the tires in the rain this morning, unfortunately the tires were still ice cold when those two deer crossed the road, almost forcing me into the ditch...but it stopped!  Still need better brakes but the tires did help at least.  Damn that was too close for comfort at 7 am. 

[Blusmbl]

That really sets off the car, and on top of that now you get a decent selection of tires.  I love 'em.

[SkiJogg]

Glad I could help make the day. Looks great

[greenpigs]

I didn't mean look through junk yards, but the rear disk kit is not really needed unless you want the "look". A track car may benefit from the upgrade but it may be a waste of $$ for a daily driver.

[Cooter]

Dino/Dirk, I gotta admit, I was a little skeptical at first, but those wheels do make that car. Awesome Choice indeed. Looks grea tfrom a 3/4 Profile shot.

It really is amazing what a set of wheels will do for the look of a car.

[Ghoste]

Isn't that the truth, and not to mention how personal a wheel selection can be as well.

[Dino]

Thanks again for the comments guys.   

Piggy I misunderstood, my bad.  You are right about the rear discs.  At this stage I do need to rebuild them so if the price is right I will opt for discs instead because frankly, the drums look tiny behind those wheels.   

I have to think about where to go with the brakes, the car stops fine for what I use it for so no rush.

[Dino]

When I turned into the parking lot at work I took a swift right and up a hill.  I'm ptretty sure the left rear tire hit the wheelwell when I did. 

I guess it's time to install the new shocks.  If that doesn't fix it what's next?  New leaf springs?

[greenpigs]

Slow down

[SkiJogg]

springs and a rear sway bar is all that would change that the shocks only slow the motion

[Dino]

springs and a rear sway bar is all that would change that the shocks only slow the motion

Good to know 

I do have a rear sway bar, still new, never installed.  I may just get new leafs as well, the ones on the car now came from a '71 squad car so it may be 'squadding' too much.  Ok ok lame attempt at humor, it's still early!   

[HeavyFuel]

springs and a rear sway bar is all that would change that the shocks only slow the motion

Good to know 

I do have a rear sway bar, still new, never installed.  I may just get new leafs as well, the ones on the car now came from a '71 squad car so it may be 'squadding' too much.  Ok ok lame attempt at humor, it's still early!   

Very nice....looks great.

[chargerboy69]

Tim, I also found that with the right stuff kit, and likely others, it says you need the green bearings on the rear axle.  Any idea why that would be?  Since I actually take corners with my car I'm a bit reluctant to get the green bearings.

Cass ( Dr. Diff) sells the green bearings.

Now as far as brakes I spoke with Cass yesterday for about 20 minutes on the phone.  He is a Right Stuff distributor, he can sell me the kit, but does not recommend them at all. He has a 12" rotor kit complete for $450.00. I think I may go this route because he said his 13" brake kit he sells you have to run a minimum of 17" wheels. Which is fine now, but like I said I have a real nice set of "old school" 15" wheels with brand new BFG tires I may throw on for a bit. Plus, if I ever sell the car, and some guy like Cooter comes along who does not like bigger wheels, the first thing they would need to do is put on all new brakes. I think the 12" drilled rotors will look just fine behind the 17" wheels, just my opinion.

When I turned into the parking lot at work I took a swift right and up a hill.  I'm ptretty sure the left rear tire hit the wheelwell when I did. 

I guess it's time to install the new shocks.  If that doesn't fix it what's next?  New leaf springs?

I am surprised it is rubbing.  The tires may be a little tall. My 295 45 18 did scrape the left wheel well going over bumps or people in back.  I went with the 285 40 18 and it is perfect.

[Dino]

Tim, I also found that with the right stuff kit, and likely others, it says you need the green bearings on the rear axle.  Any idea why that would be?  Since I actually take corners with my car I'm a bit reluctant to get the green bearings.

Cass ( Dr. Diff) sells the green bearings.

Now as far as brakes I spoke with Cass yesterday for about 20 minutes on the phone.  He is a Right Stuff distributor, he can sell me the kit, but does not recommend them at all. He has a 12" rotor kit complete for $450.00. I think I may go this route because he said his 13" brake kit he sells you have to run a minimum of 17" wheels. Which is fine now, but like I said I have a real nice set of "old school" 15" wheels with brand new BFG tires I may throw on for a bit. Plus, if I ever sell the car, and some guy like Cooter comes along who does not like bigger wheels, the first thing they would need to do is put on all new brakes. I think the 12" drilled rotors will look just fine behind the 17" wheels, just my opinion.


I agree, 12" drilled rotors would be just fine!  I like that it'll look good with the 17's and still fit a 15, best of both worlds.  $450 for the front I assume?  Any idea on the rears?

When I turned into the parking lot at work I took a swift right and up a hill.  I'm ptretty sure the left rear tire hit the wheelwell when I did. 

I guess it's time to install the new shocks.  If that doesn't fix it what's next?  New leaf springs?

I am surprised it is rubbing.  The tires may be a little tall. My 295 45 18 did scrape the left wheel well going over bumps or people in back.  I went with the 285 40 18 and it is perfect.

The tire is just under 28" which is pretty tall.  It only rubs when I turn into the parking lot here because it's a short but steep incline, if I go slow it'll likely not rub, it sure doesn't rub taking turns on the road so that's good.  The entrance to the parking lot is right off a busy road so I try to get in there as fast as I can.

If the new leafs don't work then it's time to introduce the BFH to the wheel well!