Exactly What Wheels & Tires Fit C Bodies?

[fury fan]

Has anyone tried late model 17" Dodge Charger Rims, a 5x115mm bolt pattern on their c-body?
Original wheels shows the bolt pattern as 5x4.5", although 4.5" is usually 114.3mm.
If so how did the rims fit? What is backspacing? Curious because these rims are selling cheap on craigslist and FB.
2006 Dodge Charger OEM Wheels & Rims at OriginalWheels.com

I test-fitted such a wheel back in May, I had planned on posting my findings at that time. Today is hte day, I guess.
I was interested in the BS only, and did not check for suspension/brake hose clearance. (I suspect, at 17" dia, the wheel would clear everything. YMMV on tire size, though)
The BS on this wheel is 5". (part# 4782466AB)

Pics:

This wheel needs no introduction nor explanation, other than it's wearing a 235-70 tire.

Similar angle:

Similar attempt, but with this readily-available centercap. Fits great on a RWD Mopar wheel. On the car, notsomuch.

BTW - this silver wheel - everybody recognizes it, right?

Wheel didn't want to seat, I already had that wheel on the car, what could go wrong? So I forced it.
It became clear what the problem was. Apparently those Jeeps have a much shorter bearing protrusion than a C-body.

Conclusion:
The 17" Dodge Charger wheel has 5" backspacing, 3/4" MORE than the standard 4.25" of a standard Chrysler15x7 rim. So it's not the ideal solution we are looking for.

The wheel difference would only be noticeable if you were lookign for it, IMHO, but tire choice might make/break it.
Meaning, a wide tire would help, but if the dia or sidewall are too small, this wheel might really look like it's swimming in the wheelwell.

 

[fury fan]

1972 Imperial

Seller reports: Wheels: 15 x 7, Tires: 255 70 15, i do get rubbing on the fender skirts when in the curves.

Our fenderskirts typically have the latch at the rear portion, and are pulled upward slightly to release, and then down to disengage.
When you are moving forward, the rear portion of the tire is moving UPWARD.

On the skirts I'm familiar with, the latch is the furthest-inward part of the skirt. So if you're rubbing the skirt, you're likely rubbing on the latch.
So in the curves, unless you are going backward, that tire rub is hte same direction as releasing the latch. If it catches it and pops it, disengage might then happen via gravity as you go down the road.

The only good thing about popping off a fenderskirt is that, unlike a wheelcover, it's not going to travel far. So it should be easy to find.
But likely it'll be boogered up when you find it.

So - don't be casual with tire rub on fenderskirts. Just because it hasn't fallen off yet doesn't mean it won't someday.

 

[amazinblue82]

THANKS FOR THE HEADS UP ON SPACERS
I was actually thinking of using 18" steelies, like the one pictured below, from a 2005-2006 Charger Police Car, could be same thru 2011, not sure.
But adding spacers and changing wheel studs is extra work that I really do not want. I can just go with police rims 15x7.
View attachment 692734View attachment 692735

that should look cool.

hope you post here whatever your choose -- and the details.

 

[amazinblue82]

70 new yorker wheels

Owner (@Snotty) reports "15x7 Torque Thrust Ds, 245/60/15s fit well!"

Backspacing not listed (maybe owner will chime in) but eyeballin' it (stance, wheel well fill, stated wheel width etc), looks ~3.5-4.0 inches to me

 

[amazinblue82]

NOT MINE - 1970 Polara convertible.

Seller reports 235/70-15 in front, 255/70-15 in back. Appear to be mounted to factory spec Chrysler road wheels.

 

[1970FuryConv]

I test-fitted such a wheel back in May, I had planned on posting my findings at that time. Today is hte day, I guess.
I was interested in the BS only, and did not check for suspension/brake hose clearance. (I suspect, at 17" dia, the wheel would clear everything. YMMV on tire size, though)
The BS on this wheel is 5". (part# 4782466AB)

View attachment 692736

Pics:

This wheel needs no introduction nor explanation, other than it's wearing a 235-70 tire.
View attachment 692752

Similar angle:
View attachment 692753

Similar attempt, but with this readily-available centercap. Fits great on a RWD Mopar wheel. On the car, notsomuch.

BTW - this silver wheel - everybody recognizes it, right?

View attachment 692755



Wheel didn't want to seat, I already had that wheel on the car, what could go wrong? So I forced it.
It became clear what the problem was. Apparently those Jeeps have a much shorter bearing protrusion than a C-body.
View attachment 692754

Conclusion:
The 17" Dodge Charger wheel has 5" backspacing, 3/4" MORE than the standard 4.25" of a standard Chrysler15x7 rim. So it's not the ideal solution we are looking for.

The wheel difference would only be noticeable if you were lookign for it, IMHO, but tire choice might make/break it.
Meaning, a wide tire would help, but if the dia or sidewall are too small, this wheel might really look like it's swimming in the wheelwell.

Appreciate you sharing your test fit!!!
The silver painted rims looks like 15x7 police rim. I am considering same, but going to keep it black. Personal preference. Love the 80s cop rims!
Thanks for the info on 5" Charger backspacing. Helpful to avoid wheels sitting too deep in the wheel well.
I guess, with no tire, hard to see about the wheel for rubbing on turns.
I suspect clearance to the rear springs was not great either.
Ideas: some are great in theory, but not great in practice. Late model Charger rims on c-bodies falls into that category

 

[fury fan]

Appreciate you sharing your test fit!!!
The silver painted rims looks like 15x7 police rim. I am considering same, but going to keep it black. Personal preference. Love the 80s cop rims!
Thanks for the info on 5" Charger backspacing. Helpful to avoid wheels sitting too deep in the wheel well.
I guess, with no tire, hard to see about the wheel for rubbing on turns.
I suspect clearance to the rear springs was not great either.
Ideas: some are great in theory, but not great in practice. Late model Charger rims on c-bodies falls into that category

Close - but hte silver rim is a Magnum GT, it's basically a 15x7 version of hte Super Coupe rim. Or a copcar rims without the cap nubs.

I think clearance at the leafsprings would be OK, because the 235-70 BFG in the first picture actually prevents the fenderskirt from fitting on the RR of this car.
@amazinblue82 has discussed it elsewhere, and I've seen it also - the rear axle is not always centered, and wheel clearance isn't always the same side-side.

FWIW, I now have a tire mounted on that 17" Charger rim so it can serve as a spare tire (it's the only rim of that type that I have).
So I can get install it again for more pictures at some point. And I need to test fit the wooden-spoke thing on the rear also - it's my test-fitter for a 17x8 rim.

The 17" Dodge Charger wheel has 5" backspacing, 3/4" MORE than the standard 4.25" of a standard Chrysler15x7 rim. So it's not the ideal solution we are looking for.

Ideas: some are great in theory, but not great in practice. Late model Charger rims on c-bodies falls into that category

While not ideal, if you came across a set with usable tires, at a good price, they would be worth using.

 

[1970FuryConv]

Close - but hte silver rim is a Magnum GT, it's basically a 15x7 version of hte Super Coupe rim. Or a copcar rims without the cap nubs.

I think clearance at the leafsprings would be OK, because the 235-70 BFG in the first picture actually prevents the fenderskirt from fitting on the RR of this car.
@amazinblue82 has discussed it elsewhere, and I've seen it also - the rear axle is not always centered, and wheel clearance isn't always the same side-side.

FWIW, I now have a tire mounted on that 17" Charger rim so it can serve as a spare tire (it's the only rim of that type that I have).
So I can get install it again for more pictures at some point. And I need to test fit the wooden-spoke thing on the rear also - it's my test-fitter for a 17x8 rim.



While not ideal, if you came across a set with usable tires, at a good price, they would be worth using.

Thanks
Did you try the 17" Charger spare on the front to see if it rubs on full left or right turn?

 

[amazinblue82]

1969 Chrysler New Yorker

Seller reports (bkspc not given, but appear to be strong positive offset given wheel width): "20″ Ridler 605 series wheels (20×10 rear and 20×8.5 front) with new Kuhmo tires (275/40/20 rear and 245/45/20 front) .. Can easily be put back to stock height if desired, nothing has been cut or altered.)

 

[fury fan]

Thanks
Did you try the 17" Sharger spare on the front to see if it rubs on full left or right turn?

No. It's only been 1 day.
I need a few more, perhaps 60 or so.

 

[Snotty]

Backspacing not listed (maybe owner will chime in) but eyeballin' it

I have no idea. I ordered them from Summit Racing, indicating Mopar in my order.

I had Shelby Cal 500s on before those, 15x7 but 225/60/15s. They fit well too, but I don't know the backspacing either.

 

[1970FuryConv]

What price are people paying for 15x7 police rims, good or excellent condition?
Thanks

 

[amazinblue82]

What price are people paying for 15x7 police rims, good or excellent condition?

Somebody is making the slotted cop wheels as new aftermarket pieces. All I have ever owned came from real Mopar cop cars, of course to the HD specs at the time.

That said i haven't been in market for them for over a decade. My recollection then was the following prices.

What price were people paying for 15x7 police rims, good or excellent condition as you describe was like $25 per wheel out of a bone yard, condition rough, need to be checked for straightness, blasted, and reconditioned (from "rattle can" to powder coating) depending on quality desired.

Other examples.

SOLD - 15 X 7 Mopar Police Car Slotted Wheels For Sale Rims

https://www.ebay.com/itm/235629372517

I have bought at that, and up to $100+ per wheel for high quality powder coated ones, shipping (if needed) NOT included (that could be couple hundred bucks .. the real wheels are heavy).

Add 20% to all that and you probably get to today I would guess. Dunno if that's accurate, but it does reflect my willingness to pay for various quality levels if were I looking today.

 

[amazinblue82]

1961 New Yorker

Seller reported "Boyd Coddington wheels with tires in excellent condition, size 235/55R17".

No width or backspacing given, but tire size recommended wheel width is like 7 inches - 9 inches. Appears to have staggered wheel widths, and eyeballin' backspacing ~4 inches.

 

[fury fan]

What price are people paying for 15x7 police rims, good or excellent condition?
Thanks

Last swap meet I was at, a Mopar-specific one, the cheapest sets were probably $250-300 (without caps) and $4-500 for nicer ones with nice caps.
Folks are also sometimes asking the same prices for plain 15x7 stamped wheels, the garden-variety '1975-1989' types.
My buddy was getting $250 easily for a set of the M-body types with the flattened areas at the wheel hoop.