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71 Dodge Dart bolt pattern/size?
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Author:  spare_parts13 [ Sun Jan 01, 2006 4:01 pm ]
Post subject:  71 Dodge Dart bolt pattern/size?
Just purchased a 71 Dodge Dart and want to replace the wheels with the original design. Any advice on how to figure out the bolt pattern/size? I'm new to this and have no idea. Haynes manual does not have it listed. The car has not been altered so it probably has whatever size was originally installed. Thanks for the help!
Author:  Slant6Ram [ Sun Jan 01, 2006 4:33 pm ]
Post subject:  You really are new around here
I can tell that you are pretty new by the question, so let me start by saying. WELCOME! The only dumb question is the one that doesn't get asked till after you take action.

Your car is almost surely 5 on 4" bolt pattern, historically, it's called the 'small bolt pattern'. You might consider waiting on new wheels until you upgrade to disk brakes and 'large' bolt pattern.

Mopars up until around 73 or 74 had the small pattern and then switched to the larger pattern. Around the same time, dodge started putting disk brakes on the front of cars,(a big improvement) so the large bolt pattern usually goes hand in hand with disk brakes. It's a very common upgrade to change the front suspension and rear axle assembly to the large bolt disk brakes setup. If you plan on keeping the car for a while or doing a street drivable restoration, you should consider looking into the procedure. It's a pretty large task, but it's been well documented.

If you just want some cooler than stock wheels, check out the parts 4 sale and parts wanted section until you find a set of used small bolt pattern rims. Even if they arn't perfect, you'll only be keeping them for a little while. :wink:
Author:  dakight [ Sun Jan 01, 2006 5:27 pm ]
Post subject: 
Actually, disk brakes were an option and fairly common on the small bolt pattern hubs through 73. A 71 could very well already have disk brakes. They would be the Kelsey Hayes 4 piston caliper design. The STOCK bolt pattern in 71 was 5 bolts on a 4 inch circle and finding wheels is moderately challenging but there are some choices including the MoPar "Rally" wheels. Most wheel manufacturers have at least some models in that bolts pattern and custom manufacturers such as Stockton Wheel can make just about anything you want. Upgrading to Large Bolt Pattern is certainly not a necessity.
Author:  Slant6Ram [ Sun Jan 01, 2006 6:15 pm ]
Post subject:  Just looking
Quote:
Actually, disk brakes were an option and fairly common on the small bolt pattern hubs through 73. A 71 could very well already have disk brakes.
I know that they existed, but I think "common" is an overstatement. Every old (pre 73) dart I've run into had the front drums from the factory. Production numbers? I haven't seen them.

My main point was for this new guy to take a look at the whole picture before he drops a bundle on custom wheels.
Author:  dakight [ Sun Jan 01, 2006 6:58 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Just looking
Quote:
My main point was for this new guy to take a look at the whole picture before he drops a bundle on custom wheels.
That's fair enough, and good advice.
Author:  spare_parts13 [ Sun Jan 01, 2006 7:36 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thanks for all of the help. I'll definitely look into the brake upgrade. Thanks!
Author:  spare_parts13 [ Sun Jan 01, 2006 8:25 pm ]
Post subject: 
One other question: What would the rim size be then? I have no idea what was standard. Thanks again.
Author:  SlantSixDan [ Sun Jan 01, 2006 8:59 pm ]
Post subject: 
Stock wheel size in '71 was 14" × 4½" plain steel, optional was 14" × 5½" plain steel or rallye.
Author:  spare_parts13 [ Sun Jan 01, 2006 9:24 pm ]
Post subject: 
What size tire do you think I'm safe using on the 71 Dart?

Thanks so much!
Author:  emsvitil [ Sun Jan 01, 2006 9:31 pm ]
Post subject: 
Depends if it's a 4 1/2" or 5 1/2" rim.........

5 1/2" rim, a 205/70 14
4 1/2" rim, a 185/75 14
Author:  spare_parts13 [ Tue Jan 03, 2006 7:01 pm ]
Post subject: 
If I'm using a 14x6 rim on my 71 Dodge Dart, what size tire should I use? I currently have 195/75R14s on the old rims (both there when I bought the car a few weeks ago). Should I try something bigger like a 205/70R14? Would that drastically alter the handling? Or should I stick to something smaller? I've seen Dan mention in a few older posts that he's used 205/70R14 on a 14x6. Maybe that's a safe bet? Thanks!
Author:  Valianator [ Tue Jan 03, 2006 7:52 pm ]
Post subject: 
I heartily recommend finding a set of 14x5 1/2 small bolt pattern Rallye wheels if you plan to stick woth the original brakes. They can be bought reasonably, they're factory engineered to fit, and IMHO ya just can't beat the look when installed on '70-up A-body. Plus, if you decide to upgade to big bolt pattern disks later, you'll have no trouble finding someone eager to take those Rallyes off your hands, which might not be true of custom wheels.

We put a set of Rallyes (big bolt pattern) on my wife's '73 Scamp and she loves 'em. She wouldn't trade 'em for any "flashy" custom wheels. 8)

205/70R14s should be fine.

Welcome and good luck with your Dart!
Author:  emsvitil [ Tue Jan 03, 2006 10:33 pm ]
Post subject: 
Quote:
If I'm using a 14x6 rim on my 71 Dodge Dart, what size tire should I use? I currently have 195/75R14s on the old rims (both there when I bought the car a few weeks ago). Should I try something bigger like a 205/70R14? Would that drastically alter the handling? Or should I stick to something smaller? I've seen Dan mention in a few older posts that he's used 205/70R14 on a 14x6. Maybe that's a safe bet? Thanks!

1. Unless you need new tires, I wouldn't do anything.
2. Drastically....... no. Everything else being equal (same brand, same model) a 205/70 14 will be a little better than a 195/75 14.
3. Pick your tire carefully. A good 195/75 will be better than a so-so 205/70. See tirerack.com for ratings and evaluations. Saying that, go for a good 205/70 when you need tires.
Author:  bmimken [ Thu Jan 05, 2006 2:54 pm ]
Post subject: 
When I bought my dart it originally had stock 4.5" steel rims with 195/75-14 tires on it. I got the small bolt pattern rallyes and put 205/70-14 tires on them. I've had no handling problems with them. I would recommend doing this to anyone. Hope it helps.
Brian
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