Anyone running Bassett rims?

[b5blue]

 I've been thinking of getting Bassett's as an inexpensive set of rims for my 70. On their sight I only see 15x7 and 15x8 in "DOT" rated rims? They require special lug nuts and possibly backing plates? I'm trying to figure out the details so any experience from others would be very helpful! (I can live with the 15x8 but was leaning more towards 15x10 for the rear.) 

[tachyon]

Alternative could be :  http://www.cragarwheel.com/wheels/?id=33&first=0&fid=9
Comes in 15 X 10 but also dia. 16 , 17
Cheap and DOT ok

[RallyeMike]

Have not used Bassett, but if you are looking for different DOT sizes, US Wheel has similar DOT wheels in black and chrome in 15x10 and also 16's.

I'm running the 16x8's and they have balanced out well enough to run up to 170mph with no problems. That is also a testament to their run-out tolerances. Std lugs do the trick.

[b5blue]

Thanks guys! More options to consider....

[HPP]

Double check with them on lug nuts to use with the d.o.t. versions as competition wheels use a different seat angle and will require another set of lugs. Not a big deal cost wise as 1" hex x1/2 thread racing lugs can be picked up for only a buck each, but you won't want to mix them with regular street lugs.

[b5blue]

Will do, Thanks! 

[bull]

Bassetts look great and are very inexpensive. I'd love to get a set and 15x8 is plenty IMO.

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,52194.0.html

[Patronus]

Im about to order some Bassetts this week myself.. wondering if you guys could recommend an offset for the front wheels? Im going 15x10's with a 5" b.s.in the rear, but the fronts Im not too sure about. I'd like a deep dish to match the rears and was going to run 15x8's in the front for a nascar/ planted look. Would I run a 4" b.s? What do you guys think look better, the d holes, or the 5 hole inertia wheels???

edit: thinking 275's and 325's

[dangina]

all the drifters use http://www.diamondracingwheels.com/challenger.html

great wheels and cheap! And DOT approved and take abuse and keep on going - I love them - and did I mention cheap? will also do any offset in any size you want...

If you want another alternative their is also Aero but I like the look of diamond challenger series better:
http://www.aeroracewheels.com/

[b5blue]

Im about to order some Bassetts this week myself.. wondering if you guys could recommend an offset for the front wheels? Im going 15x10's with a 5" b.s.in the rear, but the fronts Im not too sure about. I'd like a deep dish to match the rears and was going to run 15x8's in the front for a nascar/ planted look. Would I run a 4" b.s? What do you guys think look better, the d holes, or the 5 hole inertia wheels???

edit: thinking 275's and 325's

I thought only the 15X8 was DOT rated? I get lost between Back Spacing and Offset. Let us know what you do/find out! 
Thanks for the links to Diamond and Aero also, more options!   

[Patronus]

I had meant back spacing as opposed to offset.
I'm not too concerned about a DOT rating,
If it goes around and around at 200 mph I'm
pretty sure it will be ok for the few miles I drive a year..

[HPP]

Backspacing and offset are interrelated and are two different ways of measuring similar things. Offset is the distance the wheel mounting face is away from the centerline of the rim. Backspacing is the distance between the wheel mounting face and the interior postion of the rim. Knowing the rim width and offset you can figure backspacing and vice-versa.

For your Charger, the maximum backspace you can run on the front with a 15" rim is 4.75 inches. If you run 5", it will make contact with either the control arm or ball joint or both. I have in the past, run a 5" backspace with a .25" spacer as 4.75 is typically a custom offset and not widely available. 4.5" is also easy to find, but with a 275 tire, I'd be worried about it making contact with the fender lip. I have seen some 275 front tires, but these have all been 17" or larger diameter wheels with more than 5" of backspace. I'd suggest a lot of measuring to verify this is possible in a 15" diameter.

DOT rated wheels are not necessarily any better or worse than unrated wheels, however, they are wheels that have been submitted for testing against the DOT specs and are approved per those specs for public roadways. No doubt a race wheel could meet those specs, but if the manufacturer hasn't submitted them, they cannot be called DOT. Combine this with some racing series that specify a DOT approved wheel and this is why some of the wheel manufacturer only approve their 15x8 offering in one type of wheel. If you were to have an accident that was due to wheel failure and you were using a non DOT wheel, you'd have no recourse in passing along liability. I'd actually be surpised if all Diamond wheels are DOT approved as the process is not a blanket approval but is specific test to each series of wheel in each size and each offset. However, I've never talked to Diamond about it so that is an assumption on my part.

[b5blue]

Again Thanks! 
  As my car is an intended daily driver, for insurance reasons, just as you mentioned, I wanted DOT certification. As I've been very careful to go as far as I can using "stock" parts my minimum required Fl. state insurance is reasonable, I just say bone factory stock, no racing parts or modifications. Later when the car is more complete I'll increase coverage to reflect greater value.
  Ideally I want 5 rims the same size with the same tires in case of a flat or damage to one rim then at least one backup is ready. As I have 4 new P205 75R 15" tires mounted on stock rims now I'll have lots of good spares for the trunk. (Saving some room back there.)
  Sticking to this should still allow the factory 11 3/4 rotor with slider calipers clearance again hanging on to "factory" parts even if this modification is more like upgrade as I have the parts that retain factory geometry to avoid the controversial "over angling" debate.
  The factors I've checked on were mostly 15X8 rim with 4 1/2 Backspace with of course the right lug pattern. Larger 1" lug nuts are no big deal, I have sets of every other type of lug nut used might as well add them if needed.    I wonder if they make lock type lug nuts in that size?   

[HPP]

I've never seen any lock lugs as big as 1". The question I'd have for Bassett, or any one with a DOT wheel, would be if they use the typical street wheel angle of a 60* cone for seating  the lugs or the 45* cone that comes with race lug nuts. If DOT approved, I'd tend to think they are 60* to be compatible with typical street oriented lug nuts. Heck, that may be part of the DOT spec as far as I know.

For geometry, I wouldn't worry about over angling. Mopar ball joints are used by most major oval track manfacturers specifically for their range of motion. They use them in applications with greater ranges of motion than you'll ever acheive with your Charger.

[b5blue]

  Yea I get ya, one thing leads to another on suspension. (No pun intended.) I got my spindles long before I found the raging debate, I got the entire 10" set up pulled off the car and handed to me for 110.00. Wanting the big stuff all I needed was the spindles. The rest of the stuff is around here someplace.
  I like the ride and road feel of a B body so much I just kept to stock HD parts. (No racing or drifting competitions for me anymore.) The stock rims and tires helped figure chassis and alignment setup after a major overhaul front and back, it's pretty close but I'll replace the UCA bushings on a new repro. set of upper arms with offset bushings to get the final tweak set to optimum caster and camber. The 11 3/4 disks go on at the same time and back to Goodyear for final alignment. Then I go shopping for rims and tires. (After some body repairs and paint.)