If I get the Duster (man I'm really setting myself up for dissapointment if this thing falls through ain't I?) I'm thinking a set of 16x8 wheels would look great, without looking overkill like a set of 17" or 18" wheels would. I'm planning on building up the suspension like the "canyon carver" suspension described in this writeup: http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/2398 ... total.html

So what would you guys' suggestions be on a good tire size, where I want to have the same size front and rear? I'd love to have larger wheels in the back, but I can't justify it on just a mild daily driver.

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'74 Duster w/ HEI ignition, beat to snot suspension, A904, 8.25" 3.55 SG rear, still being tuned up and gets 17 MPG

Know how they always build a better idiot? That's me

What size are the original tires?

Then figure out if you want the same diameter, and goto tirerack and see what fits.

BTW, the mininum tire width on a 16x8 is an 225, so you may want to consider a 16 x 7..........

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Ed
64 Valiant 225 / 904 / 42:1 manual steering / 9" drum brakes

I honestly have no idea what size is on the car now. I assume whatever the stock size was when the car was new (which I've tried researching and have no idea what it is). The 16x7 might be a good idea when driving on wet roads. I'll just have to look at the tires that are available for the 7" and 8" wide rims and see what looks like it'd be best. I'm thinking you're right that the 16x7 might be better, given I don't want super wide tires on the front of the car.

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'74 Duster w/ HEI ignition, beat to snot suspension, A904, 8.25" 3.55 SG rear, still being tuned up and gets 17 MPG

Know how they always build a better idiot? That's me

That's easy, the rim is a 14x5.5...and the tires are most likely to be a P195/75R14....You can easily swap a set of P205/70 R14's without changing the speedo gear...if it has BBP/disc brakes, you can try and scam a set of junkyard 15x7/15x6's off some cop cars or the B/C bodies for cheap(some times)...

FYI,

-D.idiot

Using 195 75 14's as base diameter...........

205 60 16
215 55 16
235 50 16

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Ed
64 Valiant 225 / 904 / 42:1 manual steering / 9" drum brakes

The only problem with 16" wheels and tires is that selection is kinda thin, everybody seems to overlook 16" and the good stuff is avalible in 15" or 17"+. 14" and 16" seem like the bastard childern of the wheel and tire market. Size isn't the problem, its finding a good preformance tire and a wheel style you like in that size. Myself, I'm planning on a set of 17" because I finally found a set of wheels I like, American Racing "Slots" are avalible in 17" & 18" now, and tire selection is much better in 17".

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There are 3 things that will live forever, cockroaches, Keith Richards, and Slant Six Dusters !!!

http://s4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/slantasaurus/

take a look around

I'm running 225/50R16s on my Dart, on 16X7 wheels. Not sure how well 8" wide rims would fit on the front, and I had to roll the front fender lips to keep them from rubbing.

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"Mad Scientist" Matt Cramer
'66 Dart - turbocharged 225
My blog - Mad Scientist Matt's Lair

I have 16X8s on my 64 Dart with 245/45-17s. They work great but you need to get the backspacing just right. Also helps to have poly rear leaf bushings. Duster has more wheel opening, so you'd have more sloppability there...

I picked that tire size partly because there are MANY tire types/prices available. Plenty of OEM cars came with that size. On my Valiant, I run 245/45-17s, which is another very popular size.

Lou

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Home of Slant6-powered fun machines since 1988

How does a 17" tire hold the air in on a 16" rim??????????

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Ed
64 Valiant 225 / 904 / 42:1 manual steering / 9" drum brakes

After lots of research and agony, comparing weights, dimensions, and cost this is what I came up with. The only thing I have not checked is how far out the the wheel/ tire combo will sit . But I am redoing the wheel wells so I'm not too worried about.

Wheels: Amerian Racing - Hopster -
Front: 16x7 - 5x 4.5 - 4" back spacing
Rear: 16x8 - 5x4.5 - 4" back spacing

Tires: Fuzion ZRI ( Bridgestone )
Front : 205 x 50 x 16
Rear : 245 x 45 x 16
I like the look of the Ansen (American Racing) style wheels but they are heavier. Centerline and Weld have wheels that are lighter but I'm not crazy about the styles.

thanks jeff

Good point on the size limitations. I was thinking a 17" wheel might look like a bit overkill, given that 14" is the stock size. There are definately many more options available for 17" wheels though. I'll have to weigh the pros and cons of both sizes and see what'll work best for the car and the way I'll be driving it (mostly relaxed long distance driving, with the occasional "bat outta Hell" driving on winding roads).

Edit: Came across these in 17x7" flavor while browsing Summit. Me REALLY likey. Thinkin they'd look awesome with a black paint job for the car.


Anyone think 4" backspacing would be sufficient for a Duster's wheel wells?

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'74 Duster w/ HEI ignition, beat to snot suspension, A904, 8.25" 3.55 SG rear, still being tuned up and gets 17 MPG

Know how they always build a better idiot? That's me

I think a 4" backspace on a 8" wide wheel would have problems with the outer fender.........

You really need to measure the clearance on the existing wheels and then figure out which direction (in/out) you can grow the tire width.

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Ed
64 Valiant 225 / 904 / 42:1 manual steering / 9" drum brakes

American Racing "Salt Flat Special"! That's two of us who likey ... although I prefer the painted centers.


It helps that I first saw them on a Superbird at the Big Bend Open Road Race.

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"When you find a big kettle of crazy, it's best not to stir it." - Pointy-haired Boss

1964 Valiant V200, 225/Pushbutton 904
BBD, CAI, HEI, LBP, AC, AM/FM/USB, EIEIO

Same here. I'd actually prefer a dark, almost blood red painted center on those, as long as I could do the same with the center caps. I don't know if the "American Racing" is just laser etched or is actually hard etched into the center caps though, because I'd want to put my design on those if I could customize the wheels.

for the price of the wheels, you can bet I'd do something different to them just so I'd be the only one with that perticular design...

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'74 Duster w/ HEI ignition, beat to snot suspension, A904, 8.25" 3.55 SG rear, still being tuned up and gets 17 MPG

Know how they always build a better idiot? That's me

Ya know, those Slat Flat's were my first choice until I saw the reissued Ansen Slot style. At least we wont all be doing the same thing.

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There are 3 things that will live forever, cockroaches, Keith Richards, and Slant Six Dusters !!!

http://s4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/slantasaurus/

take a look around