Wheel Advice Needed

[71chargeroriginal]

Hi,

I'm replacing the original wheels/tires on my '71 and it's really a lot more difficult to decide than I thought. I've narrowed it down to either 14" or 15", 6" or 7" width, rallye or magnum. If I go with the 14" I will probably pair with 225/70-14s, and if I go with the 15" I will likely go with 215/70-15s. Remember this is is a 318 car, so no need to go overly aggressive on the widths.

I think I am leaning towards the rallyes, and thinking the 14s keep it closer to a factory look, but originally when I started into this I never thought I would stick with 14s so now I'm having difficulty to decide.

Any thoughts, has anyone ever actually "upgraded" but stuck to 14"?

I also was thinking at one time to size the rears a little bigger than the fronts, but that just makes it even more complicated. Thanks.

[Big Sugar]

Hi

Even though you'd like to keep it all original,Just go with your Gut and do what suits your Chargers appearance best, Wheels are Very Forgiving, No one will ever judge you differenty because you opted for a set of 15" rims over the original 14", Even running a set of Classic Andersons or Torque thrusts is acceptable.

Personally for me on a 71 Charger, Those small 14" are way undersized for the look of the car, 15" by 7's up front and 15"by 8's out back It'll still look stock with a little more aggresivness that suits the look well. Any Style rim works on the 71 Charger from Stock to most classic Aftermarket.

Ron

[Kern Dog]

Annoy all the purists and bolt on a set of 18" wheels with W I D E tires!

[HPP]

I would recommend some research on tire sizes before choosing the wheels. With more and more 14" and even 15" sizes disappearing every year, I would suggest you  chose a tire size that was widely used by OEMs with a very large installed base. The greater the OEM usage of a tire size, the better the odds that size tire will continue in production by tire manufacturers. This means look at those sizes that were originally offered on Camaros, Mustangs or Corvettes, even if it means you step up to widths in the 235 to 255 range.

Once you find a size with widely accepted usage, then you will know if you need to look for 14" or 15" rims.

[BananaDan]

I would recommend some research on tire sizes before choosing the wheels. With more and more 14" and even 15" sizes disappearing every year, I would suggest you  chose a tire size that was widely used by OEMs with a very large installed base. The greater the OEM usage of a tire size, the better the odds that size tire will continue in production by tire manufacturers. This means look at those sizes that were originally offered on Camaros, Mustangs or Corvettes, even if it means you step up to widths in the 235 to 255 range.

Once you find a size with widely accepted usage, then you will know if you need to look for 14" or 15" rims.

 
I recommend 15x7 Ralleyes    It will look factory as it was an available option and I personally love the Ralleye look.  I have a 70 R/T with a 440 and I have 15x7's all of the way around.  The issue with 15x8 Ralleyes is that they don't make a trim ring that makes up for the extra 1", so you'll see a gap and that will not look factory.  I don't know about magnums as I don't have them, but I *think* you can get a one-piece magnum (no trim ring needed), and if so there is no concern on a mismatched looking trim ring if you want an 8" wheel.  Wheel Vintiques makes the Ralleyes, and Year One sells them.  I don't tend to prefer YO, but when they have a 20%-30% sale special, it saves a ton of money.

Definitely shop tires before you make a decision.  As HPP mentioned, 14" sizes are getting scarce and as they get discontinued and start to end up with the antique producers like Coker and such they will get much more expensive.

[BananaDan]

Sorry, mistake post and I can't delete it.

[twodko]

Which ever way you chose to go with wheels will be what makes you happiest with your car. Best advice I offer is avoid Wheel Vintiques like the plague. 

[Budnicks]

I would say go with the 15's over the 14's any day, Ralleys or Road Wheels (magnum 500's) they look like they fill the wheel well better & go with a good 60 series tire it will handle better & fill the wheel wells appropriately, maybe 225's on front & 245's on the rear w15x7's all around, clean classic look & not overkill + you will have room to update to disc brakes w/15" diameter wheels at a later date if you wanted to... Summit Racing, Jegs for tires/wheels or Try for the wheels MagnumforceRacing.com in Cambell Ca. they have a couple of nice selections of them, Stockton Wheel is also a great source for those style of wheels....

[R6red4spd69RT]

I think the 15's are better proportioned for the B bodys than 14's. Also, I think the Ralleys look best with lighter colors (yellow, white, ...) and the Magnum 500's look best with darker colors (black, red, ...).

[Nacho-RT74]

The issue with 15x8 Ralleyes is that they don't make a trim ring that makes up for the extra 1", so you'll see a gap and that will not look factory. 

I went with 15x7 rallyes, but basically for one reason, the reflection of the wheel cut outs over th trim won't look fine on 15x8s like on 15x7 does, making a complete circle effect

trim is available for 8" wheels though

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/GM-CHEVROLET-15X8-RALLY-BEAUTY-WHEEL-RIM-TRIM-RINGS-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem5adb19770dQQitemZ390222935821QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

I think 15x8" rallye were dealer Mopar available with brushed trim ?, not in all years or models though

I can be wrong on that

[R6red4spd69RT]

Annoy all the purists and bolt on a set of 18" wheels with W I D E tires!

Nooooooooooo..........................

[71chargeroriginal]

Thanks for all the inputs. I am almost certain to go with 15x7 rallyes.

[RamZCharger]

Check the discounts folder on this forum also.  As a member you get a break from Specialty Wheels, ask for Kelly.   

[Kern Dog]

What about the aluminum Magnum  styles in 17" size? I think that they look great, and the Tire selection is immense!

[Budnicks]

What about the aluminum Magnum  styles in 17" size? I think that they look great, and the Tire selection is immense!

If it's your car & that's what you like, do it, it's not my style but not too many people are in agreement with me probably... With the correct tire combo it could look good...

[twodko]

Those polished billet aluminum magnums, in any size, are beautiful looking wheels but PRICEY! For the price of 2 billet magnums you can get 4 chrome steel magnums or close to it. I went with chrome magnums............I couldn't justify the billet prices.

Like Budnicks said, its your car so do what makes it ring for you. 

[Nacho-RT74]

I'm kinda a purist, but I'm agree 17" looks GREAT on a B body... I want to go with them... when money is enough.

I like Centerlines 915s vintage series

[Kern Dog]

I like the look of the magnums and rally wheels. I HAVE rally wheels on my FrankenDuster and they look great. I just think that they are on SO many cars!!! I like the Torque Thrusts. I like Keystones, Slotted mags, Moonies, many styles of Centerlines.....
With the Charger, I decided to go with the 18s because I REALLY liked the design, and I wanted wide, low profile rubber that wouyld fit the wheelwell. The tires are 28" tall and clear everywhere. Just TRY to slip your fingers between them and the body though!

[terrible one]

I like the look of the magnums and rally wheels. I HAVE rally wheels on my FrankenDuster and they look great. I just think that they are on SO many cars!!! I like the Torque Thrusts. I like Keystones, Slotted mags, Moonies, many styles of Centerlines.....
With the Charger, I decided to go with the 18s because I REALLY liked the design, and I wanted wide, low profile rubber that wouyld fit the wheelwell. The tires are 28" tall and clear everywhere. Just TRY to slip your fingers between them and the body though!

Beautiful! 

[71charger]

you definitely want 15'' bare minimum. Its hard to find 14'' tires of your choice, trust me I know I got 14'' they suck for tire choices!!

[BananaDan]

Which ever way you chose to go with wheels will be what makes you happiest with your car. Best advice I offer is avoid Wheel Vintiques like the plague. 

What's wrong with Wheel Vintiques?  I just bought one via YO on a 30% sale day to use as a spare rim in the trunk and it looked good to me...     Is there something I'm not aware of?

[twodko]

Dan,

I should have specified WV's steel/chrome Magnum 500's. It was a tossup between polished TT II's or mag 500's. We went with the mag 500's from WV. Had them put on the car and went back to the tire shop a week later for a torque check and nitrogen fill. The black paint of the wheels was flaking off on every wheel. I called WV about it, they told me it was an easy fix........they sent me a used can of black spray paint! The shop owner called them on my behalf and they told him once the wheels are mounted all bets are off. He told them the paint is flaking off the wheels after less than 2 weeks and that they should know paint will not stick to chrome. WV wouldn't budge. After that they wouldn't answer my letters, email or return phone calls. In short, for Magnum 500's specifically from WV, buy from a different reputable source. They refused to stand by the product telling me in essence, "we've got your money so f**k off. A very expensive lesson learned to be sure.

[BananaDan]

Wow, sad story.  Thankfully for me the Rallye looked good, and it will only be a spare so if the paint is shoddy it should be ok riding along in the trunk for it's life.  Based on how they treated you, they won't get my business again in the future.  Thanks for sharing.

[twodko]

Dan, that was just my experience with WV. Other members have bought steel/chrome Mag500's from them and have had no issues with them. Musta been a disturbance in my force.