I may be buying a set of 14x8 American Racing slotted mags soon and I was wondering if anyone could tell me for sure if they would or would not fit on my 66 Cuda. They are on the 5x 4 1/2 bolt pattern (which is fine since I am upgrading to disc brakes soon anyway) and the guy I am buying them from says they came off of his 68 Cuda. I am concerned that because the tires are so wide that they might hit the factory sway bar or the upper control arm. Can anyone tell me if they won't fit? What would be the largest tire I could run? Alternatively, what tire size would match the size the factory put on my car? (It is a Formula "S" so it got the bigger size rims and tires.)

Thanks!



Reed

In my opinion, a 14x8" rim is to wide for the front of a '66 cuda. Your tires will hit the fender lips and you will need to bob the front lower corners on the fender for tire clearance. They will also not work on the rear, unless you jack the back up.

In the late '70s, I had a set of 14x7" rims with E60 tires on the front of a '66 Dart. This required the above modifications and flattening the fender lib. On the rear, I had a set of 14x8" with G50s on the rear. Since this was the late '70s, I flared the rear fenders so the car wouldn't need to be lifted. This worked OK, but I like my current '65 much better with 15x5.5" and 205x60 and 15x7" with 235x60.

Hmmmm. I have no problem with modifying the front fenders (they are already pretty "modified" form rust and parking lot dings) and the back end of my car sits a little high form the 7 leaf super stock spring a previous owner installed. Right now I have a set of 15x7 cop rims on the back with 225 75 r15 tires that fit pretty snugly, but have clearance all around. I was able to fit a set of 15x7 cop rims on my brothers 68 dart a few year back by going with a 60 series tire, so I am hoping I can pull the same trick with the 66 Cuda and a 14x8 rim. I guess I will just have to see.

Reed

I dont know what offset you have but I jus put 16 / 8 fireturd wheels on my 61 valiant with 2 inch billet adapter/spacers from stocton wheel and they fit great.

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Ive got a slanted attitude and a heavy right foot.

If they have no more than 4 1/4" of backspacing, they should manage to avoid hitting the spindle and ball joints, but the tires are likely to hit the fenders. Also, 14" wheels will not clear some of the more drastic brake upgrades, although they'll work with the usual factory A-body discs.

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"Mad Scientist" Matt Cramer
'66 Dart - turbocharged 225
My blog - Mad Scientist Matt's Lair

Quick update- I got the rims in the mail and they are actually 14x7 with 3 5/8 backspacing. Should fit no problem. Since my Cuda is a factory Formula "S" I want to run a tire profile that will match the overall height of the original 14 inch Formula "S" tires.

Eventually I am going o be running a set of 73-76 a body front discs with the spindles swapped left for right so the calipers sit on the back of the rotor to clear the factory sway bar. That plus some 1980 Volare brake hoses should ensure that everything clears everything else. But before I get busy on suspension upgrades I have to order about $250 worth of replacement sheetmetal from Laysons...

Reed