Fat tires for my Duster (73)

[6 packin]

Where does most of the clearance problems occur at? Near the frame rails Inner fender lip. The car is a 73 duster no mods yet! I picked up a set of 195/50/15 which seem to be much shorter than the 275/60 I was going to go with maybe by 1 inch or so! Also what the first basic mod done in this matter. Maybe SS springs and offset shackles I was thinking!

[dwc43]

Offset shackels are not worth the trouble. You also have to move the axle pad and bore a hole in the frame at the front spring hanger to use them. Don't like weakening an already weak frame.
If the 195/50 is shorter than the 275/60 then you should not have too much trouble. I've run 275/60's for years. Take the inner lip on the quarter and cut it in several places and fold it back up against the quarter panel.
The ss springs are a great idea and will raise the rear of the car about 1 1/2 ". For a little more traction you might try the adjustable mopar pinion snubber too.

[6 packin]

Thanks for the Input!

[gotah-ny]

I have the same car and I run 275-60-15 on 15x8 rims with a 3.5 inch back spacing tires do not rub except for the worst of the bumps 15x8 with 4 inch back spacing would fit the car slightly better while still not touching the leaf springs but that would be the max offset you could use I already tried the 4.5 inch with that size tire the touch leaf spring
Hope this helps

[Ausydad]

Mine is a '74 with original /6 springs. I added helper leafs for curve ($30) and coil over shocks from a '72 Ranchero for height. I run 295/50/15 on a 15X10 white Wagon wheel . Never hit. Comes out about 1/4" past the wheel lip. Picture shows shackles, but those are gone and still have plenty of room.

[gthomas]

I'm running 265 50 15's on my '72 Duster on 15x10's w/5in offset and they fit totally within the wheelwell. I'm also running two left super stock springs on this car.

You can see a picture at www.xposeu.com click on "cars" mine is the yellow Duster.

[71 Duster]

I run the same set up as GThomas, BFG 265-50R15 on 15x10 Convos Pro 5" back spacing, 8 3/4 rear end out of a '69 Dart Swinger, you cannot pass your finger between the tire and the spring and they never rub in the fender without bending the lip(2 years now) if you want some pict let me know. To measure for clearance remove the wheels (check both sides) drop a plum ball from the inner lip of the fenderwell and measure the distance to the face of the drum, then put a straight edge across the face of the drum and measure the distance from the face to the spring (backspacing) add the 2 measure and you have the total opening then allow yourself some clearence, now you have what you need to get the right rim with the right offset.On my car you cannot put any wider without rubing.

Robert

[Dartcustom]

Wagon wheels on a passenger car? Oh my god!

[gthomas]

71 Duster,

I measured mine much the same way, except I ran a plumb from the lip and the spring as well as the drum face. I had exactly 11 inches, and the 265's were 10.8 inches, and you're correct, theres not much room between the springs and the tire. Another word or warning, be sure to measure BOTH sides of your vehicle, and notice that there is one side that has less clearance for taller tires. I don't do corners as fast with these tires because they do rub a little on hard cornering.

[Ausydad]

Sometimes with 4 Mopars in the driveway and an autistic kid in the house, you go for what is cheap to get you thru.......

[6 packin]

The 295/50/15 measure about 26 1/2 inches or so. Not as tall as the 275/60's as about 27 inch for them, but a little more meat!