RE: IML: '67 LeBaron update

["Rob McCall" <Rob_Mopar@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Tom,

Yes, the Fuselage Imperials still had the giant 5" bolt pattern.  (At least
it's giant compared to the tiny 4" pattern on the A-bodies I'm used to
working on.) The large wheel bolt pattern and the ideal spindle and steering
arm dimensions are what make '70-73 spindles the most desirable.  Anything
else would require more homework, and possibly fabrication.   Since I
couldn't get my hands on any of the other spindles to measure, let alone
mock up, I don't know what I might have gotten into.

At the risk of being sacrilegious here, I considered dropping down to the
4.5" pattern to make wheel swapping easier with my other cars.  I haven't
completely ruled that out, but it will be staying with the 5" pattern for
now.

Now to redeem myself, the Dodge trucks went to the 5" bolt pattern in '85.
It may be possible to use a 1/2 2WD Ram or B-van 1-piece rotor as a
substitute for the earlier 2-piece rotor.  It would require machining to
take the Imperial's larger wheel bearings (like the other swap listed on the
site), but it might be worth looking into.  If I had an abundance of spare
time, I'd take a look myself, but it would be so far down on my list I don't
know if my decedents would even have time to try...

Even the current Ram and Durango have the 5" wheel pattern.  I haven't
looked at the new Dakota, but it probably shares it now as well.  They have
rear disk brakes available, which would be an interesting swap as well.
Maybe I need to take a look at the curb weights of the Ram & Durango, then
the 60-0 distances...   

Rob McCall
'67 LeBaron

-----Original Message-----
From: mailing-list-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:mailing-list-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of TomChoice
Sent: Monday, November 22, 2004 8:46 PM
To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: RE: IML: '67 LeBaron update

Thank you for the reply Rob,

I checked the various later C-Body parts as well, as I have several
C-bodies, but unfortunately they all have a bolt circle of 4.5 inches, as
opposed to the 5 inch bolt circle on my 1968 Crown. That would mean that I
would have to carry around two different sized spare wheels. I am assuming
that the 1971 to 1973 Imperials also have the same 5 inch bolt circle and
that is why they would work. Is that a correct assumption?

Tom






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