Help me pick tires and wheels

[Rebel74]

For a 74 Charger SE. Currently I have a set of 17s. They look okay, but honestly I think 17s are the largest rims possible before entering a territory I'm not too fond of. I'd rather have some 15s. But I also like the old school, raked, "jacked up with fat tires in the rear" look.

So I was thinking about putting some Mickey's on there ---> https://www.mickeythompsontires.com/drag-tires/et-street-s-s

I was thinking maybe either the 275/60 or the 295/55 for the rear. In any event, I know I need to do some measurin and figurin...

What do I need to measure on the car, as far as "backspace", wheel well size, etc? What do I need to know about "offset", and how do I determine correct rim width (15x8, 15x10, etc)? I know I need a bunch of measurements, just not sure exactly what needs to be measured.

Also, what effect does tire/rim size have on torque, rear end gear ratios, etc? What I mean is, what do I need to keep in mind about how the wheels effect the driveability, take-off, get-up-and-go, fuel economy, etc so I don't wind up fighting against myself once I start working on the motor/drivetrain? Car currently has a 318 but I have a feeling I'm going to wind up doing a stroke on it (or having a stroke in the process, hopefully not).

 

[Dean Prevolos]

This Forum post might help you decide:
https://www.forbbodiesonly.com/moparforum/threads/wheels-tires.121586/

 

[BMosely]

We are about 50 miles in on a set of Cooper Cobra radials, 15”. I will say that they feel really tight and stick well. We are still breaking in so I have not thrown the heat at them yet but it is coming.

 

[BMosely]

I will add we are 28” in height on both ends. Your rear end depends on your tranny and what you want to do. Drag, corner, daily? I put a TKX 5 speed in so a 2.89 first gear, 3.55 rear end, and the 28” tires make a great daily combo. Any less rear end and I would have looked at the 3.21 first gear option. 5 th gear is really for 60+ mph. If you do not have OD then how much interstate driving will you do. Screaming down the road at 3,000+ rpm sucks and being in the Atlanta area 70 mph is a minimum highway speed.

 

[blue69runner]

2 1/2 inch recurve spring's gave my car that nice rake we looked for in the 60's and 70's. Got six leaf makes the car stable in the rear. No sway bar yet. But going to put one in this next year. It is not too stiff in the rear which I was thinking might be the fact. Did have to pull the car down a little too hook up the shocks. But don't have any problem with them either. Just can't get 10's on the rear of most of these mopars with out doing a tub job. But then that ran into so much work decided not to go their. Doing mini tub's messes with the back seat and your spring hangers. One thing lead's to another. So here is a pic.

 

[dave's not here]

275/60 and 235/60 on a 7 inch wide 15. No mods.
Just flew with the advice here on the forum. I have a 2.76 which just rolled it to near triple digit speeds around 3600 rpm

OTE="Rebel74, post: 912074635, member: 37568"]For a 74 Charger SE. Currently I have a set of 17s. They look okay, but honestly I think 17s are the largest rims possible before entering a territory I'm not too fond of. I'd rather have some 15s. But I also like the old school, raked, "jacked up with fat tires in the rear" look.

So I was thinking about putting some Mickey's on there ---> https://www.mickeythompsontires.com/drag-tires/et-street-s-s

I was thinking maybe either the 275/60 or the 295/55 for the rear. In any event, I know I need to do some measurin and figurin...

 

[#41]

Be careful not to mix apples and oranges when getting advice on this. Optimum offsets and widths area little different for 3rd gen Charger than 2nd gen B bodies. If you want the best advice, take your own: Measure the width and offset of your current rims/tires and figure what you want from there. Then you know you will have it right.

 

[dave's not here]

Be careful not to mix apples and oranges when getting advice on this. Optimum offsets and widths area little different for 3rd gen Charger than 2nd gen B bodies. If you want the best advice, take your own: Measure the width and offset of your current rims/tires and figure what you want from there. Then you know you will have it right.

I do agree 100% -just providing some visual context for a 15 inch rim and tire combo. Good luck!