14" or 15" wheels on a 66 300

[stubs300]

I can see were you wouldn't want to lose spinners. Is the disc brake kit you went with the A154 kit ? Do they tell you what the original application of the parts in the kit are from ? Any issues with fit or function ?

I think it is, been so long since I did them. The instructions sucktime. They said it'd fit, I had to use a 1/2" spacer to prevent it from dragging on the back side which meant that I had to change studs, I still have the old ones.

14's on a Cbody is Blasphemous. You can practically live in those Wheel wells. Go with 15's

Then find me a better cover option then what I have now, then maybe we'll talk. Otherwise your comment is useless!

 

[67-Fury]

Then find me a better cover option then what I have now, then maybe we'll talk. Otherwise your comment is useless!

 

[Duncan]

14" may be blasphemous, but I think they are original for most C-Bodies of that era.

 

[cbarge]

Stockton Wheels Which have been long gone used to adapt the 14 inch spinners to 15 inch wheels. I am not sure if anybody else offers the same service.

 

[cbarge]

14" may be blasphemous, but I think they are original for most C-Bodies of that era.

There some sexy 14 wheel covers during that era.
I just love the deep dish covers offered on 66-68 Chrysler's.
I have a NOS set,but they will be reserved for show only with bias-ply tires.
Common sense drove me to running 15 inch Magnum 500's for cruising

 

[BJS racing]

Man I think these would look good on your car. Oh and I am trying to sell them. There are 5! LOL.

For Sale - Who would be interested?

Sorry the pic wouldn't post.

 

[65 500]

I think it is, been so long since I did them. The instructions sucktime. They said it'd fit, I had to use a 1/2" spacer to prevent it from dragging on the back side which meant that I had to change studs,

What was dragging, the wheel on the caliper ?

 

[Flatlander]

I'll throw in with the 15" crowd for the reasons already mentioned. Since Chrysler used both sizes, it's really nothing more than an option upgrade, even if you don't yet have disc brakes. The 300 is a big, loooong car and it needs all the help it can get in the 'filling in the fenders' area. Should also help your ride and mileage a bit, too.

It's too bad they didn't make those cool spinner caps in 15", they are by far the best looking IMO. I know they used a similar cover for the '66-'67 Chargers but never checked to see if they are 14 or 15 inch. Not identical to the 300 style, but very close.

My 300 is a disc brake car with the correct hub caps. Here's a shot of one, albeit a bit snowy. It has a center spinner of sorts, but much smaller. The plastic discs inside tend to come loose over time, too. Contrary to what some of the online whackjobs say, these hubcaps are not rare, weren't used on only one model, one year, whatever. I've seen them on wagons and other models in the 66-67 (maybe 68?) years. View attachment 70675

Those wheel trims were first used right at the very end of the '65 year when discs were first introduced.

As regards tyres, I agree with Cbarge. 235 70 x 15 are perfect on a C. British tyre maker Avon (now part of Coker, I believe) have one with two different widths of whitewall stripe, and have a V speed rating. Expensive though... :-(

 

[SIPLOWGUY]

I'll throw in with the 15" crowd for the reasons already mentioned. Since Chrysler used both sizes, it's really nothing more than an option upgrade, even if you don't yet have disc brakes. The 300 is a big, loooong car and it needs all the help it can get in the 'filling in the fenders' area. Should also help your ride and mileage a bit, too.

It's too bad they didn't make those cool spinner caps in 15", they are by far the best looking IMO. I know they used a similar cover for the '66-'67 Chargers but never checked to see if they are 14 or 15 inch. Not identical to the 300 style, but very close.

My 300 is a disc brake car with the correct hub caps. Here's a shot of one, albeit a bit snowy. It has a center spinner of sorts, but much smaller. The plastic discs inside tend to come loose over time, too. Contrary to what some of the online whackjobs say, these hubcaps are not rare, weren't used on only one model, one year, whatever. I've seen them on wagons and other models in the 66-67 (maybe 68?) years. View attachment 70675

Do you have a photo of that wheel without the wheel cover on? I'm curious as to the diameter Hub Cap that wheel has.

 

[SIPLOWGUY]

Seeing you guys have researched 15" tire options I have a 75 Pontiac Grandville (don't shoot me, I also own 6 MOPARS) and would love to find HR78X15 TPC thread tires or P23570R15 5/8 whitewall. Seems to stay with 5/8 whitewalls I need to go with P22575R15 tires.

 

[Alec Schibanoff]

Just wanted to get your guys opinion on what rim size I should use on my 66 300. I'm running steel 15" wheels on it now... But I have 14" steel rims that came with the car. I'm not sure if that's what came factory or not? The hubcaps I have for the car will fit the 14" rims. I also have a set of Chrysler dog dish caps that will fit either 14" or 15". Im gonna be buying new white walls for the car next month. What's your guys' thoughts?

The 1966 Chryslers with drum brakes came with 14" wheels. If they had optional disc brakes, the car came with 15 inch. If you are not using those 14" wheels, I will take them off your hands for you.

 

[Alec Schibanoff]

My 300 has the 14's and finding decent whitewalls for it was a nightmare and I sell tires. 15" wheels came with the disc brake cars IIRC. I have those same hubcaps tho and I think they look great on this car.
View attachment 70559

If you still have those 14 inch rims, I will take them off your hands for you.

 

[MetalManiacAZ]

Keep the 15's and get a set of OEM wheel covers.. The 66 disc brake wheel covers look rad!

 

[twostick]

Stockton Wheels Which have been long gone used to adapt the 14 inch spinners to 15 inch wheels. I am not sure if anybody else offers the same service.

Another thread back from the dead. Lol

Stockton's website is still up.

I thought they were bought up by Coker/Wheelvintique when they were circling the drain back before this thread started.

Stockton Wheel

Kevin

 

[stubs300]

Another thread back from the dead. Lol
Kevin

 

[rapidtrans]

Anyone try contacting them for 15” rims adapted for 14” wheel covers?
When I purchased mine I only found two places that did this. TheMoparDude did mine (and has closed his wheel business) and Stockton. The dude was closer (Kansas) and did an excellent job.
Mopar made some gorgeous 14” wheel covers and I wanted to keep mine.

 

[GranTorinoSport]

Stockton had gone out of business some years ago, so it seems somebody must have resurrected the company. That is good to see!

I purchased some 15" wheels with welded "inserts" to install 14" hubcaps maybe 5 or so years ago. It was not from Stockton as they were out of business at the time. I can't remember the company's name but mostly because I don't want to remember them.

I found them somehow, and they said they could make a set of 15" rims for 14" hubcaps. I ordered them, probably in the neighborhood of $600+ (don't remember exact price).

Received the rims and was shocked. They had welded a smooth surface insert into the wheels. Meaning, there is no lip to hold the tines of the wheel cover when inserted. I figured they knew more than I did, so I painted the wheels, mounted some nice Hankook tires and took it for a drive. On the freeway, within the first 10 minutes, one hubcap flew off. Never found it! Later drove it locally and had the same problem, either a wheel cover coming off or arriving at home and a wheel cover was almost off.

So, I took the remaining three off, and never put them back on. Car looks like hell of course, but I did not want to lose anymore wheel covers. When I looked closely at the factory Chrysler wheel, it has lips in it to hold the tines of the wheel cover. The special 15" wheels did not.

My resolution? This year I've had enough. There is literally one set of tires I could find tall enough and with a white stripe to make it a reasonable choice for the car. I will get the factory 14" wheels blasted and powder coated, then buy the ridiculously expensive ($310/tire) tires from Coker and get them mounted. Put them on the car, get the wheel covers and fender skirts back on and get the car looking like it did before I tried to "improve it".

Expensive, but otherwise a reasonable solution. I will not be putting disc brakes on anytime soon because I don't have a booster.

I considered rallye wheels or perhaps a 69 style 15" wheel cover. I almost went for the 69 hubcaps (they are pretty nice), but honestly, I just couldn't do it. The car was my grandfathers (he purchased it brand new) and I always remember the car with the 66 14" covers on it. I just can't stray from that, and I really do think they are pretty classy looking.

Many will say it is a waste of money and not smart to continue buying 14" tires, especially at the price. I agree. My decision is based off the fact it is cheaper to buy the 14" tires than seek out a booster to fit a 66 (at 800-1000 dollars) and then the kit or used parts to make a 15" disc setup work. Plus I am still waiting for a viable option to use my 14" wheel covers with 15" rims.

Maybe someday.

 

[SIPLOWGUY]

If you still have those 14 inch rims, I will take them off your hands for you.

I have a set of 14" wheels from a 1962 Dodge if you are interested

 

[Vmaxer]

My '66 300 came with 14" bias ply and around 90 mph started to feel sketchy . I later bought a '76 Newport and put the 15 " road wheels from that , ( with radials ) on the 300 and it made a world of difference . It was stable past 100 mph and rode so much better .

 

[rapidtrans]

Here are my 15” rims with the 14” covers installed. Haven’t had one fall off yet after a couple seasons of driving. Like Vmax says the car rides and corners much better with wider 15” tires. I like the stance much better than the skinny 215/75x14” tires on 5 1/2” rims.

This wheel conversion uses a brand new rim, or spool, with a center section from a used 15” mopar wheel then the half inch piece to accept the rim. The new rim was rolled to the width I chose and a little heavier gauge steel to eliminate flex. The rim insert piece, seen tack welded in, looks exactly like the rim on my old 14” wheels. Like maybe they were cut from a 14” rim. And yeah. These rims cost a bit more than $600.