71 Charger wheels - wheel nut spacing etc

[71 Bee Man]

Hi guys,

just wondering (without me getting the ruler out) does anyone know what the stud pattern/size is on 71 Charger wheels ? For when you are ordering wheels, if you know what I mean.

Also, does anyone know the maximum backspace for the rear wheels of a 71 ?

Thanks,

Peter.

[73 Charger 440]

I believe all "big" Mopars of the era were 4.5 inch, its something like 114mm (could be remembering wrong). Same as SN95 (94?-04 and later) Mustangs.

[Chryco Psycho]

bolt pattern is 5 on 4.5" circle , the 71 will not take the big wheeels the 70 can b ut you should be fine with 8" wide ,4" back space

[Goldfinger71]

Hey Chryco
Shouldn't 8.5 wheel work as well with no problems?

[71charger_fan]

114.3mm   25.4mm=1in.  Most Mopars share lug spacing with most 5-lug Fords and with AMCs. Ever notice how common the magnum style wheel was on AMC products?

[71 Bee Man]

bolt pattern is 5 on 4.5" circle , the 71 will not take the big wheeels the 70 can b ut you should be fine with 8" wide ,4" back space

Thanks for the help guys. I wasgoing to ask about backspacing.

I've just read an article in Nov Issue of Mopar Muscle regarding wheel choices and they speak a lot about back spacing.
I find it interesting to note the comment about the 71's not being able to take big tyres. The wheel wells look like they're crying out to be filled.

So let me get this right...... I can happily look a round for wheel that have 5 X 4.5 inch (the same as our Australian 70's Chryslers and Fords), and I can go 8's on the rear with 4 inches of backspace.
Does that sound right

What do you suggest for the front ? I'm inclined to stay with 7 inch like I have now. Also thinking of at least 15 inch wheels by the way.

Peter

[71charger_fan]

The biggest tire I've personally seen on an unmodified 3rd generation Charger is a 295/50-15.

[73 Charger 440]

The biggest tire I've personally seen on an unmodified 3rd generation Charger is a 295/50-15.

How wide of a rim? 10 inch?

[71charger_fan]

Sorry, didn't think to ask what rim he had it on.

[Stormhammer]

hm, what are the offsets for the front and rears?

[71 Bee Man]

The biggest tire I've personally seen on an unmodified 3rd generation Charger is a 295/50-15.

Well.....I'm still looking at wheels, but I really have to wonder if 8 inch rims on the rear is the most I could go - just doesn't seem like a lot when a friend of mine stuffed 9 inch rims under his Aussie Charger without a problem - and they're smaller.

I'd really be interested to hear what size wheels you Gen 3 guys have seen. I can't do it over here, cos there's just none around. I do have pictures of a purple 71 500 with wheels that fit nice and wide under the rear. I'm thinking of going perhaps 16's now.

Peter

[73 Charger 440]

The biggest tire I've personally seen on an unmodified 3rd generation Charger is a 295/50-15.

Well.....I'm still looking at wheels, but I really have to wonder if 8 inch rims on the rear is the most I could go - just doesn't seem like a lot when a friend of mine stuffed 9 inch rims under his Aussie Charger without a problem - and they're smaller.

I'd really be interested to hear what size wheels you Gen 3 guys have seen. I can't do it over here, cos there's just none around. I do have pictures of a purple 71 500 with wheels that fit nice and wide under the rear. I'm thinking of going perhaps 16's now.

Peter

I dont see 295s fitting 8 inch rims... I run 275s on 9.5 on my TA.

[71 Bee Man]

hm, what are the offsets for the front and rears?

So.....assuming just one person has told me the widest rim I should go is 8 inches on the rear, what do others here think ?

I can see the logic in just going 8's on the rear, but has anyone here actually gone wider and were there any dramas ? The same person said 4 inches of backspace was all that was available ? Does everyone agree with that, because I'm about to go out and measure the damned thing myself.

Peter

[73 Charger 440]

I just dont see 295s going on a 8 inch rim...

[71 Bee Man]

bolt pattern is 5 on 4.5" circle , the 71 will not take the big wheeels the 70 can b ut you should be fine with 8" wide ,4" back space

G'day Chryco Psycho,

I've been thinking about your advice to go 8 inch rims on the rear, and decided today to get out and actually measure what I have - using Mopar Muscles wheels article as a guide.

When I was measuring up, I had 6 1/2 inches between the wheel hub and the closest point of contact being the rear spring. Outward toward the guard (wheel arch), I had 6 inches before contact. Wouldn't this mean that I could comfortably go about 10 inches on the rim, so long as the tires didn't bulge too much ?

These were the nearest points of contact. I'll try and get some pics up so you can see what I mean. You have to measure to the rear spring because it's the nearest contact point. If it wasn't the actual wheel well is actually 8 inches away.

Peter

[1971SE440]

I have a 1971 Charger with 10" rear and 8" front wheels.

[71 Bee Man]

I have a 1971 Charger with 10" rear and 8" front wheels.

G'day Rik,

do you have any other pictures your car somewhere on the net - looks really nice, and it's pretty hard to find pics of 71's.

What kind of tires do you have on your car ? Also, what's the backsp[ace on your 10's ? I take it there's no proiblem with rubbing on the guard.

Peter

[73 Charger 440]

Id like to see more pictures too if possible

[1971SE440]

Here are some more photos.

[superwbrat71]

what's the backspace on your 10's ?

[1971SE440]

I do not know what the backspace is. The tire sizes are 295/50R/15 on the rears with 10" rims and the fronts are 245/60R/15 with 8" rims. Have had no problems.

[superwbrat71]

Thank you.

[Paul G]

I am running 15x10 rears with 5.5" backspace 295/50 tire, and 15x8 fronts with 4.5" backspace and 245/60 tire. Those are the widest you can possibly go. Here's what I had to do to get the clearance to make them work.

The rear tires were both just bit too close to the spring which allowed the tires to rub on the springs. I used offset shackles to move the rear part of the springs inward away from the tires. On the left side I used a 1/4" spacer plate too move the tire out to get the clearance I needed on the front part of the spring. The left side had enough room to move the tire out and still clear the wheel well. On the right side if I moved the tire out it would rub the wheel well and score the tire when going over big bumps. I ended up clearancing the front part of the right spring just a bit. No spacer plate on the right rear. They now fit fine, even when crossing railroad tracks or going over big bumps.

In the front the wheel was was just showing some contact on the upper control arm. I put 7/32" spacers on both of those and no more problems. I am really happy with how it turned out and get lots of compliments on the look now. These pics don't show the offset shackles which are visable.





   

[71 Bee Man]

I am running 15x10 rears with 5.5" backspace 295/50 tire, and 15x8 fronts with 4.5" backspace and 245/60 tire. Those are the widest you can possibly go. Here's what I had to do to get the clearance to make them work.

The rear tires were both just bit too close to the spring which allowed the tires to rub on the springs. I used offset shackles to move the rear part of the springs inward away from the tires. On the left side I used a 1/4" spacer plate too move the tire out to get the clearance I needed on the front part of the spring. The left side had enough room to move the tire out and still clear the wheel well. On the right side if I moved the tire out it would rub the wheel well and score the tire when going over big bumps. I ended up clearancing the front part of the right spring just a bit. No spacer plate on the right rear. They now fit fine, even when crossing railroad tracks or going over big bumps.

In the front the wheel was was just showing some contact on the upper control arm. I put 7/32" spacers on both of those and no more problems. I am really happy with how it turned out and get lots of compliments on the look now. These pics don't show the offset shackles which are visable.

   

G'day paul,

thanks for all those pics....can I be a pain and ask if you have a true "side on" shot of your car. I'm especially interested in how your wheels look.

Incidentally guys I'm thinking seriously about 15 x 8 Magnums in all chrome.

Peter
Sydney, Australia

[Paul G]

I just took some new pics of the car this week. I snapped like 50 shots of it. How's this one? BTW, anyone who wants to see more pics of my car is never a pain.
Here is a link to my Photobucket acount with lots of shots.
http://s38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/88l98vette/December%2006/