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  #1  
Old 02-13-2002, 08:16 PM
Doug Wilson Doug Wilson is offline
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Default A Body clearance help

I know I've been told the answer to this before on this forum, but I can't find it now - idiocy can come with old age.

Y'all know I'm doing my sailor Son's '66 Barracuda. I have put new s/s springs on it (both right sides) and relocated the springs 3" in from their previous location. I'm looking for the largest tire and wheel combo I can get in there without tubbing the car.

The Son wants 17 X 8 Torque Thrusts, but I don't think they will fit. We are going to put the same tire/wheel combo all around - he mostly wants a fast canyon carver. ANY suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

I'm also looking for a set of 5 on 4 1/2 axles for the A-Body 8 3/4 rear end that is going under it as I write. Jeg's wants $379 for Strange axles. Should I re-drill the exiting ones? Would that be safe? I'm out of my depth here.

Thank you.
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  #2  
Old 02-13-2002, 08:52 PM
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dusterbd dusterbd is offline
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i dunno about 17x8 on the fronts, but the back, maybe. as for the axles, go to moser. keep the stock adjustable bearings for a money saving measure. the axles should be right around 250-300(i think. dont quote me)good luck
mike
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  #3  
Old 02-14-2002, 01:27 AM
badcaruda badcaruda is offline
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A shop in indiana suggested that if I got the right 8 3\4 c-body axels they can cut and respline them for under $100.
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Old 02-14-2002, 04:20 AM
jelsr jelsr is offline
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Contact Moser Engineering, they will respline B axles for around $100 and have new ones that use A or B brakes for around $300. 219/726-6689
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  #5  
Old 02-14-2002, 02:25 PM
Doug Wilson Doug Wilson is offline
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Thanks, guys. It looks like moser is my first stop.

Any thoughts on tire and wheel sizes?
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  #6  
Old 02-14-2002, 11:53 PM
goldduster goldduster is offline
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no 17X8's on the front. The biggest tire I've ever seen anyone run on the front of an a-body without fender modifications is a P235 60R15. And that's on a 15X7 rim.

I'd think a 17X7" rim (if there is such a thing) with a 225 45(or so)R17 tire on would work pretty good. In the back, up to a 275 will fit if you have the right backspacing.
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  #7  
Old 02-15-2002, 03:29 AM
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cuda66273 cuda66273 is offline
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Doug,
Call Dutchman in Portland, they build a real nice axle and alot of guy's around here run them with no problems.

I doubt you'll get those tires in the rear or front. I ran the 8x28 MT's last year and had to do serious beating on the inside of the fender well on the rear to stop them from rubbing.

My 4.5x26 front runners rub on my headers on a hard right turn, you might get them on with the right backspace but it will sure look strange....

Hide size is one of the biggest drawbacks in the design of the early A's, they just didn't think anyone would want to put that much grip on one.
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Old 02-15-2002, 01:48 PM
Doug Wilson Doug Wilson is offline
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Thanks for the tip. I will call Dutchman.
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  #9  
Old 02-15-2002, 04:38 PM
kesteb kesteb is offline
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About the widest tire you can put on the front is 235/60x14 on a 7" rim. This will require you to flatten the fender lip and cut the front corners of the fenders. A more realistic tire/rim size would be 15x6's with a 215/60 tire.

If you do not but in mini-tubs in the back, you will be limited to a 235/60 tire on a 15x7" rim. The wheel well just dosn't have any more room for anything bigger. I can understand the destire not to do the min-tubs on a cuda. With the back deck all exposed, it would have to be a real nice job for it to look good. But if you do, you can go to a 10" rim and at least 295/50x15 tires.

To but a 5x4.5" bolt pattern on the A-body 8.75 axle you need to use C-body or 1/2 ton truck 8.75 alxes and the corresponding brake backing plates and drums to make it all work right. If you decide to cut and shorten the 8.75 then whatever axle you use must allow for at least 3" for the new splines.
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  #10  
Old 02-15-2002, 09:40 PM
Doug Wilson Doug Wilson is offline
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Thank you for all the great advice everyone. I really appreciate it.

kesteb - with the "+ one, + two" approach, could I not do a 16 X 7, with a 235 tire on all four corners?

Regarding the axles, I'm likely to put rear disc brakes on it. Should that make any difference?
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  #11  
Old 02-17-2002, 12:30 AM
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The Dartman The Dartman is offline
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Moser all the way for the axles. They have several grades that you can choose from.

They have resplined axles that I bought back in about '91 for about $145 with green bearings and extended studs. The next step up is there "stronger than stock" units (supposed to be good to run in the 10's), and I bought a set of those last fall with green bearings and extended studs for less than $400. Their "all out race" pieces equiped the same way ship for less than $500.

I usually get on on two soap boxes here on moparchat - one for Moser axles and the other for McCreary Road Star tires.
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  #12  
Old 02-17-2002, 12:49 AM
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realdeal6973 realdeal6973 is offline
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if your looking for parts for your a-body give me a call

contact me @ realdeal6973@aol.com

and ill foward you a phone number or talk to you online if you wish...

i own a 69 fastback barracuda that im either parting out or selling as is .....body needs help but has alot of reusable parts....'

interior is in decent condition, 318, 904, 7.25 rear is still in it...doesnt run ... but negotiable on price....looking to sell to make room in garage....(and a different project...)

if you know anyone interested please pass along the info ..i wanna sell this car by sometime in the summer....

lost interest in the project. too much money for me to get body back to normal (dont have and body shop friends)

you might want to give magnum force a call. they offer a rack and pinion front end kit complete with coil over shocks and k-frame...3495 i think.... go to www.magnumforce.com for info
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  #13  
Old 02-17-2002, 11:40 PM
goldduster goldduster is offline
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Well, I wouldn't use the Magnumforce k-frame and coil overs on a road race/street car/autocrosser. The reason is is that the coil overs put all the front weight on the stock shock towers that are not strong enough for them.

The setup I would run is:

Stock Front Sway bar (formula S)
'73-'76 A-body spindles with cordoba rotors and 1976 dart calipers on cordoba caliper adapters (12" rotors) filpped side to side using a 1979 diplomat flex hose. Also have to use '73-'76 A-body UCA's or Magnumforce tubular. Use Firm Feel Carbon metallic pads.
'73-'89 Mopar B/F/M body power steering box or get your other one made into a police box at firm feel (or run a manual box)
15X7 (or 16X7 or 17X7) wheels with P225 or P235 tires (get grippy ones!)
.920 or .990 Mopar Torsion bars from koller dodge
Moog High Density rubber bushings using the special improved design UCA bushings in A-arms, but poly in front sway bar and endlinks.

Rear: 8 3/4 with 11" drum brakes

This setup should work very well.

be sure to check out http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/Shop/3978/disk.html and http://hometown.aol.com/pwall5/cars/2cudapag.html
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  #14  
Old 02-18-2002, 04:25 AM
Doug Wilson Doug Wilson is offline
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Thanks for all your help everyone. I better be able to get it right with your help.
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  #15  
Old 02-18-2002, 04:15 PM
Hell_Fish Hell_Fish is offline
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The back is the hard part. The bigger the wheel tire combo the hard it will be the install abd remove since the rear wheel opening aren't full like the front wheels.
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  #16  
Old 02-18-2002, 04:20 PM
Doug Wilson Doug Wilson is offline
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Valid thought Dustin... thanks.
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  #17  
Old 02-18-2002, 09:13 PM
kesteb kesteb is offline
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> kesteb - with the "+ one, + two" approach, could I not do a 16 X 7, with a 235 tire on all four corners?

The 15" rims are already a +2 over the stock 13x4.5" rims that came stock. IMHO, I don't like the 16" and 17" rims on the older cars. They just don't look right.
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  #18  
Old 02-19-2002, 01:59 AM
Doug Wilson Doug Wilson is offline
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I think I agree with you, but it's the sailor Son's car and money, so I'm trying to do what he thinks he wants. I think a 15 would work, he wants the American Torque Thrust II.

Do you think a 15X8 would work with a 235 tire?
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  #19  
Old 02-21-2002, 01:35 AM
kesteb kesteb is offline
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Those are nice looking rims. Yeah, the 235s will fit the rim. I don't think the rim will fit the car thou. Most other people with the early A-bodies can only fit a 15x7 in the rear. I would try a rim/tire combo and see if it works with your current setup.
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  #20  
Old 02-21-2002, 04:19 AM
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cuda66273 cuda66273 is offline
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You need to stop by and see what it took to get a 10 inch wheels and tire under our 66.

Did you get my email last night?

Don
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