Wheel help, 68 fury

[MIKE R]

Hi, just after some advice / help on some wheels.

I have a Plymouth fury sport, currently on the standard 15x7 steels, I believe 5x4.5 with a 4-4.25” backspace, ( the car has factory fitted disc brakes )

I would like to change to some crager / magnum 500 / torq thrust style wheels, however I’m struggling to get my head around the fact that they are all the incorrect centre bore and / or back space?

Does this mean you needs to use spigot rings with nearly all aftermarket wheels? Are there any direct fit bolt on simple options?

Thanks

 

[Davea Lux]

Spigot rings with most current aftermarket wheels. Check E-Bay as the period correct Crager or American wheels still show up there and do not require any adapters. You might run into problems as this is a '68 or older sport fury as those had the dual piston calipers which needed more clearance on the wheels. The '69 and later single piston calipers will usually work with most 15" aftermarket wheels.

Dave

 

[MIKE R]

Thanks Dave,

It is fitted with twin piston Budd calipers, I have measured the steel wheels that are on it and They seem to be 4.25” back space but they are very close to callipers

 

[CBODY67]

As a point of reference, the factory "disc brake" wheels were 15x6.

In the earlier years, all Chrysler Corp disc brake cars got 15x6 wheels. The issue was caliper clearance, as noted. BUT it also relates to the shape of the wheel center as it spans the gap between the mounting point to the wheel's outer rim section. It's all about clearance and the easiest way to do it, back then, without a wholesale redesign of existing wheel inventories was to put 15" wheels on those cars. Especially as the power disc brakes were an option, rather than standard.

The specs you quote above (15x7 4.25" bs, bolt pattern) are pretty much what many aftermarket 15x7s currently are. When you dismount the tire, the size/width specs will be stamped into the rin itself, near the middle (as 15s6JK, or similar).

The 4.0" bs wheels will space the wheels outward from the mounting point, so that might impact rear wheel/quarter panel clearance AND the use of rear fender skirts.

Enjoy!
CBODY67

 

[BLUPORT]

On my 68 Newport, I have wheels that are 18x8 with 4.5" backspace and 0 offset, if that helps.

Here's a link to a chart, if it is of any assistance.

Journey of my 68 Newport

 

[MoparJim]

Like you, I also have a 68 Sport Fury and 2 years ago I went with a set of American Racing VN501 wheels in 17x7 with no offset. I got these wheels from Summit Racing for $180 each, delivered. With BF Goodrich g-Force Comp 2 tires in 235/55ZR17 mounted on them they are almost exactly the same size as my original 14 inch Magnums. I have plenty of room under the fenders, front and back, and I could have gone with a lot more tire under the rear, but I have no need as my car is all original and totally stock. I did this upgrade when I made the move from the original power drums to a set of 73 Chrysler power disc brakes, so my original 14 inch Magnums had to go. I had planned on simply getting a set of 15 inch reproduction Magnums but found 15 inch tires are getting hard to come by. My friends who helped me with the disc brake conversion (and who are WAY more knowledgeable than I am) suggested that instead of the repro Magnums I get the VN501s and step up to 17 inch wheels and modern, hi-po tires. I love 'em and the look, while not original, is about as close to original as I could hope for with the benefits of modern rolling stock. If you want modern ride and handling I can recommend these wheels. They are available in 16 inch, too, but my friends warned me 16 inch tires are the next to become harder to find so I decided to move on up to 17s and they look and work great for me. This picture was taken on Sunday, May 5th, so you can see what these wheels look like on my car.

 

[pops60]

View attachment 284139
Like you, I also have a 68 Sport Fury and 2 years ago I went with a set of American Racing VN501 wheels in 17x7 with no offset. I got these wheels from Summit Racing for $180 each, delivered. With BF Goodrich g-Force Comp 2 tires in 235/55ZR17 mounted on them they are almost exactly the same size as my original 14 inch Magnums. I have plenty of room under the fenders, front and back, and I could have gone with a lot more tire under the rear, but I have no need as my car is all original and totally stock. I did this upgrade when I made the move from the original power drums to a set of 73 Chrysler power disc brakes, so my original 14 inch Magnums had to go. I had planned on simply getting a set of 15 inch reproduction Magnums but found 15 inch tires are getting hard to come by. My friends who helped me with the disc brake conversion (and who are WAY more knowledgeable than I am) suggested that instead of the repro Magnums I get the VN501s and step up to 17 inch wheels and modern, hi-po tires. I love 'em and the look, while not original, is about as close to original as I could hope for with the benefits of modern rolling stock. If you want modern ride and handling I can recommend these wheels. They are available in 16 inch, too, but my friends warned me 16 inch tires are the next to become harder to find so I decided to move on up to 17s and they look and work great for me. This picture was taken on Sunday, May 5th, so you can see what these wheels look like on my car.

What was the backspace on those rims bro? I have a 68 sport fury as well and am looking to purchase the same wheels but with 15x7 inch. They have 4.00 backspace and 0 offset. I hope they fit

 

[CBODY67]

The 15x7 5x4.50 4.0" Bkspc are the same bkspc as the 17x7s on that car. I've been looking at the 15x7s, too, for a good while. I have seen the 15x7s on 1970 B-bodies and they look good, as to spacing in the rear wheel wells, laterally. The repro 15x7 Magnum 500s can be had in 15x7 with 4.25" backspacing.

The OTHER issue is that many 17" tires are less expensive than similar width 15" tires. Which is what seems a bit out of whack, to me. BTAIM THEN consider that the noted BFGs are less expensive than the BFG Radial TAs in P225/70R-15 sizing, yet are of similar revs/mile.

ONE observation about the 17"-18" "modern rubber" is that many have a tread depth of only 8/32" or so. Whereas the 15" tires used to be 11/32" deep, as many still are. YET the newer tires' treadwear ratings are similar or higher, which can be related to the better rubber in the larger tires, possibly.

CBODY67

 

[pops60]

The 15x7 5x4.50 4.0" Bkspc are the same bkspc as the 17x7s on that car. I've been looking at the 15x7s, too, for a good while. I have seen the 15x7s on 1970 B-bodies and they look good, as to spacing in the rear wheel wells, laterally. The repro 15x7 Magnum 500s can be had in 15x7 with 4.25" backspacing.

The OTHER issue is that many 17" tires are less expensive than similar width 15" tires. Which is what seems a bit out of whack, to me. BTAIM THEN consider that the noted BFGs are less expensive than the BFG Radial TAs in P225/70R-15 sizing, yet are of similar revs/mile.

ONE observation about the 17"-18" "modern rubber" is that many have a tread depth of only 8/32" or so. Whereas the 15" tires used to be 11/32" deep, as many still are. YET the newer tires' treadwear ratings are similar or higher, which can be related to the better rubber in the larger tires, possibly.

CBODY67

Thanks bro