2nd Generation - 15" Wheels Clearance Problems

[Neal_J]

I am running the stock drum brake setup original to my car.

I bought these wheels used off a guy from Craigslist.  He bought his car, an R4 1969 Hemi Charger, in the early 80's and ran the wheels until replacing them with stock steelies & dogdishes recently.  All four wheels are marked 15x7 and dated 7/84.  They are painted black around the face of the rim (not chrome) and surely must be Ford wheels. 

The wheels scrape loudly against the upper control arm at any speed (knocked off some wheel weights). I did not ask whether he used spacers but I see no way he could run these wheels otherwise.

[autoxcuda]

I am running the stock drum brake setup original to my car.

I bought these wheels used off a guy from Craigslist.  He bought his car, an R4 1969 Hemi Charger, in the early 80's and ran the wheels until replacing them with stock steelies & dogdishes recently.  All four wheels are marked 15x7 and dated 7/84.  They are painted black around the face of the rim (not chrome) and surely must be Ford wheels. 

The wheels scrape loudly against the upper control arm at any speed (knocked off some wheel weights). I did not ask whether he used spacers but I see no way he could run these wheels otherwise.

Look for a Ford stamp on them. Most ford magnums have a stamp on them in the inside lip. I thought ford rims also had the 4.25" backspacing. I can't imagine a stock mid 70's factory ford rim with 4.75 backspacing.

[Neal_J]

The wheels have tires on them, so I can only report what's stamped on the back of the rims, which read:

CW  T  DOT
15X7  JJ  7-84

I measured backspacing three times, from rim edge to back of the mounting pad, as 4.75".

[Chatt69chgr]

I found a website that showed the measurement being made not from the outer edge of the rim proper but the flat that the bead of the tire sits against.  You would be laying the straightedge on the outside of the rim on that flat and then measuring to the surface of the hub.  Which is correct?  If you put the straightedge on the outside edge of the rim, your measurement would be about a 1/2 inch more that if you measured from the bead flat.

[Neal_J]

Well, I don't know the answer. 

I can only say how I measured it and show the results photos of the damage to the UCS and back of the wheel.

[Supercharged Riot]

Dang Neal,

Im reading your thread.  At the same time I was planning on buying a set of 17 x 10 for all wheels. 

I have tubbed rears, so Im not worried about those,  I'm just concerned about my front setup.  Now I Think I have to do more research. 

Figure it out yet?

[autoxcuda]

Dang Neal,

Im reading your thread.  At the same time I was planning on buying a set of 17 x 10 for all wheels. 

I have tubbed rears, so Im not worried about those,  I'm just concerned about my front setup.  Now I Think I have to do more research. 

Figure it out yet?

What backspace are you going to run?

What disc brake setup are you going to run?

With factory disks the most backspacing on a 17" rim is about 5.3 to 5.5"

With factory disks the most backspacing on a 15" rim is 4.5" *

With factory disks the most backspacing on a 16" rim is 5.0"

*I believe the drums put the rim inward a little more than he disks. But nonetheless, 4.75" backspacing is too much for factory disks and surely too much for drums.

[Neal_J]

Spoke to seller today, who said (and I believe) he had no problems running them for 20+ years on his 69 R/T with factory discs. 

Still yet to install washers/spacers.

[autoxcuda]

Spoke to seller today, who said (and I believe) he had no problems running them for 20+ years on his 69 R/T with factory discs. 

Still yet to install washers/spacers.

The disc is the big difference.

IHMO, he still had to have been very close. I run 15x8 with 4.5" backspacing and I do have some room to give. But I would not suggest running 4.75" backspacing in the front to someone. IMHO, that would make things so close that subtle difference could make one car rub and another not rub. Running different camber settings, factory tolerances, size of wheel weights....

Run a 1/4" to 3/16" spacer in yours and be done with it.

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

Spoke to seller today, who said (and I believe) he had no problems running them for 20+ years on his 69 R/T with factory discs. 

Still yet to install washers/spacers.

The disc is the big difference.

How do you figure?  Neal's wheels are hitting the upper control arm which is the same part drum or disc AFAIK

[autoxcuda]

Spoke to seller today, who said (and I believe) he had no problems running them for 20+ years on his 69 R/T with factory discs. 

Still yet to install washers/spacers.

The disc is the big difference.

How do you figure?  Neal's wheels are hitting the upper control arm which is the same part drum or disc AFAIK

The disc brake spindles and hubs must move the rim seat flange outward a little compared to the drum setup.

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

Oh Ok I see your point now

[Supercharged Riot]

Dang Neal,

Im reading your thread.  At the same time I was planning on buying a set of 17 x 10 for all wheels. 

I have tubbed rears, so Im not worried about those,  I'm just concerned about my front setup.  Now I Think I have to do more research. 

Figure it out yet?

What backspace are you going to run?

What disc brake setup are you going to run?

With factory disks the most backspacing on a 17" rim is about 5.3 to 5.5"

With factory disks the most backspacing on a 15" rim is 4.5" *

With factory disks the most backspacing on a 16" rim is 5.0"

*I believe the drums put the rim inward a little more than he disks. But nonetheless, 4.75" backspacing is too much for factory disks and surely too much for drums.

I got factory drums by the way.
I actually wanted to try on these rims.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/5ZIGEN-FNO1R-C-TITANIUM-17-x-10-RIMS-BRAND-NEW_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem1c0d3dcbb8QQitemZ120481237944QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories


I like the bronze look and I know they're mainly import rims, but they have the same lug pattern.
I dont know the back spacing

Im not even sure if these will work because they're japanese rims

How do I know if they fit without even seeing it in person? 
are lug studs different sizes for japanese cars?

[Neal_J]

My best advise gleaned from this situation is to do a lot of research beforehand & don't be in a rush to buy.   You want to be sure they'll fit BEFORE spending the $$$.    If you're stuck on running 17" rims, read all the other older threads here & on Moparts to find out what will fit.  I can't imagine buying rims if you don't already know the needed backspacing or lug diameter.