Alternative to Air Shocks UPDATE-Change tires

[sixpack_sid]

I am working on my 68 Dodge Charger. I'm concerned because the tires I bought for it have just enough space for me to put my hand in flat between the top of the tire and the wheel well. I have new quarters on the back and spent a lot of time restoring this car, so I don't want to damage anything. Is there any cheap fix I can do to the springs or shocks to raise up the car? I don't want to use air shocks.

[A383Wing]

air shocks will be the "cheapest" fix....new springs will be a bit of money....and don't put rear spring shackles on it

Bryan

[nvrbdn]

when i was in high school in 72 i wanted to raise my 68 charger and this old guy that owned a junk yard told me put these leaf springs on. they were out of a truck at the junk yard. they lifted it right up. i dont know what springgs from a junk yard would cost.

[bill440rt]

The correct way is through the springs. Either re-arched or stiffer Super Stock springs.
You want cheap, though?

Yeah, air shocks. But the ride will be horrible. Another alternative is a coil-over shock. It will ride much better than air shocks and just provide enough lift.
Google Kanter Auto Parts. They are here in NJ, specialize in old cars. They might have a lesser priced set available. I remember years ago Monroe had discontinued them.

[Mike DC]

                       
IMHO you're trying to fix the wrong end of the problem.  Just get some rear wheels/tires that fit the car.

[Ghoste]

I'm with Mike, I think ultimately the car will look better too with rolling stock that fits.

[BrianShaughnessy]

Wheel / tire combo?    Otherwise the correct fix is new springs... if you put a lot of time and money on a resto why cheap out on the suspension now?

[Cooter]

I added a couple leaves out of a set of 1970 Plymouth Fury springs and came up wth a homemade set of Super Stock springs. Worked. Raised the rear abgout 1 1/2"...

[BrianShaughnessy]

I added a couple leaves out of a set of 1970 Plymouth Fury springs and came up wth a homemade set of Super Stock springs. Worked. Raised the rear abgout 1 1/2"...

The real "secret" to the way that super stock springs worked was the shorter front segment... which required the longer front hangers.  Not just adding more leafs.

[sixpack_sid]

                       
IMHO you're trying to fix the wrong end of the problem.  Just get some rear wheels/tires that fit the car.

I have 275x60x15 on the back and 235x60x15 on the front. I have about 1 & 1/2 of clearance inward from the wheel well to the tire. It's not road ready yet, so I can't drive it to test it out.  Would it work if I put a jack under one side of the axle and jack up on it to see when the tire will hit the wheel well-would that tell me if the tire has enough clearance? I'm thinking about gettingg 235s for the rear if the 275s are too big. There is a 2 " height difference between the two tire sizes. Please help!
Thanks!

[bill440rt]

With a 275/60 & the proper wheel offset you should have gobs of room in there. I run a 295/50-15 and still have room with no rub and without "height enhancers".

If I am reading your last post correctly, is that you have 1-1/2" of clearance between the tire sidewall and the quarter panel lip? That should be enough room.

Can you post pics so we can see this??

[b5blue]

Keep in mind the support that the top of the shocks mount to is not made to handle the extra stress, it's not that strong. Air shocks will cost you in handling as they unload the springs also.   

[sixpack_sid]

With a 275/60 & the proper wheel offset you should have gobs of room in there. I run a 295/50-15 and still have room with no rub and without "height enhancers".

If I am reading your last post correctly, is that you have 1-1/2" of clearance between the tire sidewall and the quarter panel lip? That should be enough room.

Can you post pics so we can see this??

Sorry, I forgot to post pics. Here they are....

[A383Wing]

I can suggest an easier & cheaper way to gain clearance, just open up the wheel well with a sawzall   

Bryan

[terrible one]

That looks like more clearance than I have and my tires don't rub even with 4 people in the car.

[Budnicks]

Maybe an Air bag assist on top of the housing between the housing & frame, like they do on trucks... A good rear sway bar will also help with the side to side lean....

[Musicman]

I don't see an issue, but it definitely sounds like your current rims do not have the optimum backspace for this tire... consequently they are closer to the lip of the fender than they need to be.

[sixpack_sid]

I decided to go with a smaller rear tire, just to be on the safe side. So, since I have 235x60x15s on the front, I swapped one to the back to see how it would look. See pics. What do you think? How does it look?

[68 RT]

With a 275/60 & the proper wheel offset you should have gobs of room in there. I run a 295/50-15 and still have room with no rub and without "height enhancers".

If I am reading your last post correctly, is that you have 1-1/2" of clearance between the tire sidewall and the quarter panel lip? That should be enough room.

Can you post pics so we can see this??

I have also 295/50/15's on my 68 on 15x8 cragers and have no problems.

[Musicman]

Me too...

[sixpack_sid]

Me too...

Do you have air shocks? With my bigger tire on the rear it looks like I have a little more clearance than you do with your 50s. Maybe I'll keep the bigger tires. I'd like to go with the 275s, I just want to be sure I don't damage my new quarter panels when I finally drive it on the road!

[Ghoste]

The big tires definitely look better in those wheelwells.  I hear what you are saying about damaging the 1/4 too.

[bill440rt]

SS, can you post a picture with your 275's from an angle like Musicman has posted? It's hard to tell from the pictures you posted.
If the tires are sticking OUT from the quarter with the tread below the wheel lip then they will rub over hard bumps unless you have the back jacked sky high. If they are tucked INSIDE the wheel opening then they should not rub with the proper offset. Are your tires tucked in, or sticking out?

Here are shots of mine, this is a 15x10 wheel with a 5" backspace, with a 295/50 series tire, on a 2nd gen.

[Musicman]

Do you have air shocks?

Absolutely not 

My tires are tucked inside the wheel well, just like Bill's above, using the same combo.

[Steve P.]

Air shocks are a bad band-aid. The upper support is not made for holding the weight of the body up. Over time they will cost you much more than doing it right.

My suggestion is to buy or rebuild your leaf springs period. In one of the pics it looked like you have a rub on the inner fender well. If your bushings are on their way to shot it doesn't matter what else you do as cornering with bad bushings will allow the rear end to move side to side.. Do it right and all will be fine with the tire/wheel combo you already have...

My