Rear Inner Wheel Arch Bulge

[JMF]

Just wondering do all 68-70 Chargers have a slight bulge on the inner rear wheel arch ? My 70 has it just near the arch lip, I don't think it's previous damage because both sides are exactly the same, it's just that it's limiting what tyre size I can buy because the backspace on my wheels is only 4" in these bulges may rub with a wider tyre, hope everyone knows what I mean ? I can get pics if not , thanks

[tan top]

 if its the bit ive ringed in green , then yes  all second generations have them , stupid design IMO

[JMF]

Thanks, Yeah I think that's probably it , what's it for I wonder ?

[tan top]

maybe its put there for stiffening ....      have a look here  , if you want to go one stage further in completely  designing inner rear wheel well


http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php?topic=127686.0

[JMF]

Thanks , interesting

I want to fit 255/70/15's on the rear with 4" backspacing and 15 x 7 wheel but because it's quite a tall tyre I'm thinking it may rub on that bulge

Old wheels I had on before had 15 x 8's with 275/60/15's with no issues but the backspacing on those was 5.5"

[tan top]

  no help on 70 series  sorry !  but if this is any help , i have  255 x60 x15 at all four corners on a 15x8 steel wheel with 4 inch back space ,  no rubbing but it  really close with the fronts .  i did make my own version on the A12  lower front  bump stop spacers  & used Dana axle bump stops  as extra margin of safety.

[cdr]

not going to promise it will clear but I am 99.9% it will, take what you had 8" wheel 5.5 Bs - .5 = 5 now take 8 - 5 = 3" of wheel on the outside, now take 4bs- .5 = 3.5 ,    7 - 3.5 = 3.5 of wheel to the outside, that .5 to the outside more than what your old set up was you should still have lots of room,,,, as I said, SHOULD have room  a 275 tire is wider that a 255, I run a 15x10 4 7/8 BS, with a 325 50 15 & it just barely touches that hump in the wheel well if I hit a large bump, it doesn't even leave a mark on the tire.

[Mike DC]

  
                   
The PITA shape of the factory arch -


It probably came from widening an earlier 1960s wheelwell to fit the 1968-70 bodywork.
           

[JMF]

Here are some videos I took today , both rear arches have that same shape

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fiqr1LwGAXI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFl1XVTfJ9g

[Mike DC]

                   
That's the factory wheelwell.  Stock. 

Like I said, I'm guessing it came from the body engineers hastily adapting an earlier (narrower) wheelwell tool for the 1968-70 quarter panels.  The OEM wheel/tires in 68-70 were still pretty narrow and inset compared to the new bodywork.   

[chargered]

I run 305s on my 70.  Doesn't rub unless I have people in the back and hit a bump.

[Kern Dog]

That is the outer tub, not the inner.
It can be modified for minimal cash if you have a welder. I did it on my "Jigsaw" Charger. I'll post  a link here in a moment.

[Kern Dog]

Page 14 about halfway down the page:

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,136013.325.html

In short, I cut what looked like football style laces through the ridge and inverted the bulge, then welded it back up. It gained about 2 1/2 to 3" of clearance.
Every classic car guy needs a welder!

[TTSaleen]

Page 14 about halfway down the page:

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,136013.325.html

In short, I cut what looked like football style laces through the ridge and inverted the bulge, then welded it back up. It gained about 2 1/2 to 3" of clearance.
Every classic car guy needs a welder!

I read that previously when you told me about it for my car.  I plan on doing that in the future as well.  Good idea!