I am about to do a disk brake upgrade on my 63 Valiant V200. I have the upper control arms and knuckles from a 75 Dart with the larger bolt pattern. I am planning on using standard Mopar steel 15 inch rims in the front with a 60 profile tire. I don’t have the rims or tires yet so this is still in the planning stage. This project has been in the planning stage for years.

One part that has delayed this upgrade is the issue with the rear end. Right now I have a small bolt pattern 7 ¼ rear end. I am using 13 inch rims with 185/80 R13 tires. The rear end is in decent shape and I like its gearing. The only real reason for upgrading the rear would be just to get the larger bolt pattern.

So here are the questions. Let me start these with the fact that I am sort of cheap and am trying to be as economical as possible on this. I do plan on switching out the rear in the future.

Is there a problem with using the 13 inch wheel setup in the rear with a 15 inch wheel setup in the front?

Would large bolt pattern adapters be a better option? I have found these for about $130 for the pair. My thought here is that that $130 would be better spent in the rear end upgrade.

I could also try to find a comparable small bolt pattern rim. The issue I see with that is finding a small bolt pattern 15 inch rim. Do they exist? I thought about trying a 14 inch wheel combo, but ultimately I think the 15 inch wheels would be better.

I’m new to this suspension stuff so any help is appreciated.

John

There are many choices. Here are my thoughts. There are several companies that have 15 in small pattern wheels available on special order. If you like the Centerline wheels, You could get the front wheels in a large bolt pattern, and the rears in the small pattern. When you convert to the large patten in the rear, get the same style wheel in the large pattern, and sell the small bolt pattern wheels. If you keep them in good shape, you should be able to get back at least 75% of your money. While you have the dual pattern on the car, get a (1) wheel pattern adapter, that way you just need to carry one spare.

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Charrlie_S
65 Valiant 100 2dr post 170 turbo
66 Valiant Signet 170 nitrous
64 Valiant Signet
64 Valiant 4dr 170
64 Valiant 4dr 225

John,
one other possibility, would be to redrill the rear axles and drums for the large pattern. I would have to check and see if this could be done on a 7 1/4 rear. I do this on 8 3/4 rears. I will try to check tommorrow. I have been laid up with the flu. I do have a fixture to do this, just have to see if there is enough meat on the 7 1/4 axles.

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Charrlie_S
65 Valiant 100 2dr post 170 turbo
66 Valiant Signet 170 nitrous
64 Valiant Signet
64 Valiant 4dr 170
64 Valiant 4dr 225

Yes. In a nutshell, it will spoil the car's handling, possibly to an unsafe degree. This effect will be aggravated by the "high in front, low in back" stance such a setup will produce unless you torture the front and rear suspension to correct it, which will further worsen handling. Don't do it this way.
No. Wheel adaptors are very unsafe. Do not use them.

True!

Would have to be custom made, and then you'd still have to carry two spares in the trunk.

It always winds up being easiest and least costly to have just one bolt pattern, whichever pattern that be.

I've never tried the obvious fix to this problem: Installing axle shafts from a large-bolt A-body 7¼" rear axle. Any reason why this wouldn't work?

The axle bearing size changed, when the bolt pattern changed. The late axels will not fit the earlier housing. However the complete axel assy can be changed out.
I agree about staying away from wheel adapters, except as I stated, used on a temp basis, to eliminate haveing to carry two spares.

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Charrlie_S
65 Valiant 100 2dr post 170 turbo
66 Valiant Signet 170 nitrous
64 Valiant Signet
64 Valiant 4dr 170
64 Valiant 4dr 225

why do you have to use 15 inch wheels? If I were in your situation I would just run LBP 14" wheels up front and SBP 14" rear. Your wheel wells and turning geometry probably wont allow 15" wheels up front.
Wheel adapters are not safe(they are Illegal here in PA).
I parted a 74 Valiant last spring, it had 225/75R15's up front and they rubbed the wheel wells when turning.

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Thank you 70valiant!!!

Cheepist way
14's up front
14's out back

O,I forgot.

Safest to...........

i dont think 15's would be a problem if u ran a lower profile tire, what do you guys think? a 75 is pretty tall.

I agree that a 75 series is a tall tire. The 225/75R14's I was running were 27" tall, the 235/60R14's I have on now are just over 25" tall.

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Do NOT use "u" when you mean "you". Type the whole word out.

Sorry Dan, I did not know this word shortening bothered anyone.

Thanks

sorry should have made a new topic