Chrysler 300c LX Wheels on F body

[Kermit]

Picked these up with 4/32nds tread left for $120 with the center caps included.

This is with the stock tire size on the LX wheels 225/60r18 which is a tall tire! I didn't have the right lug nuts, so I couldn't torque the wheels down and drop it. But they fit! About 1/2" clearance from the leaf springs. I'm thinking about a 235/45r18 all around. Which is almost exactly the same as the 215/75r14 on there now. I'm hoping that the stiffer sidewall of the 45 series tire will make that 1/2" clearance manageable.

The reason for the 18's is strictly due to cost and quality of tires. I daily drive my wagon in Las Vegas, which if you have ever lived/driven here you would know how crazy everyone drives. I'm really looking forward to increased cornering stability and higher quality tread compounds.

 

[Oldiron440]

They look great, the 1/2" should not be a problem but if it is a 1/4" spacer will fix you up. The only thing is I think the pattern on the wheels is metric and off just a bit from 5 on 4.5 bolt pattern of the car.

 

[Kermit]

They look great, the 1/2" should not be a problem but if it is a 1/4" spacer will fix you up. The only thing is I think the pattern on the wheels is metric and off just a bit from 5 on 4.5 bolt pattern of the car.

Took them to a tire shop to verify 5x114.3 which is the metric equivalent of 5x4.5! They center on the hub and the lugs are centered on the lug hole/bore.

If I had the right seat on the lug nuts, I think I would be driving them now. Gonna replace the wheel studs and go a little longer in case I need a spacer. Then ill upgrade to the bigger rotors from a Cordoba.

 

[Oldiron440]

Cool

 

[jasperjacko]

I think they're actually 115mm which is close.

 

[Kermit]

I think they're actually 115mm which is close.

Nope, verified with a gauge 5x114.3

 

[89.Fifth]

5x114

Even though the gauge won't measure that 0.3mm it does make a difference. Using metric wheels on these cars has been discussed a bunch before and personally I don't think it's worth the risk. What you do is up to you though.

 

[Kermit]

5x114

Even though the gauge won't measure that 0.3mm it does make a difference. Using metric wheels on these cars has been discussed a bunch before and personally I don't think it's worth the risk. What you do is up to you though.

114.3 verified by Dodge dealership as well. I don't care if you don't believe me.

 

[Greg55_99]

I already tried this and I don't think it's safe:

Anybody try the 18" metric Charger\Challenger wheels?

Greg

 

[Kermit]

I already tried this and I don't think it's safe:

Anybody try the 18" metric Charger\Challenger wheels?

Greg

My wheels are 114.3 not 115 mm. 114.3 is the same that mustangs use, and the same as our 5x4.5". This was verified using a digital caliper and through my local dodge dealership. If anyone here has proof of failure, if you work at a tire shop, or a dodge dealership, I'm all ears. Otherwise its all just conjecture.

This reminds me of how the A body community is split down the middle on using f body spindles. Even with hard proof that they work, and even prove superior to using the A bodies spindle in certain circumstances, you still get the naysayers.

If a moderator is reading this feel free to delete this thread. Nothing useful going on here.

 

[Cordoba1]

Various wheel and tire dealers confirm The 300's bolt pattern as 114.3 | 5 on 4.5: Chrysler - Vehicle Bolt Pattern Reference - Discounted Wheel Warehouse

 

[Oldiron440]

I would install with a torque wrench and check every day for a week then weekly, if torque is maintained over time and the wheels are not coming loose run them.
Make sure that you let us know how it worked out, good or bad.

 

[4speedjim]

Ive been curious about how the modern lc/lx wheels would work on our FMJ cars. I'm still stuck in the 70's-80's wheel designs, but these could work. My concern is the wheel offset. It looks like they darn near do. Any narrow spacer should ease your mind on sidewall rubbing the spring. How was clearance on the front? They look good and right in the pictures. I thought they'd be sucked in leaving a narrow footprint, but they look good. I'm interested in how you progress with the wheels. Keep us posted in your progress.

 

[CrAzYMoPaRGuY]

LX cars have a 5x115 bolt pattern.

 

[BudW]

All of the new Charger, Challenger, Magnum and 2006 (and newer) Chrysler 300’s “should” have a 5x115 mm (5x4.53”) bolt pattern – but I have also heard some of the early ones (2006-2009) were 5x114.3 mm (5x4.5”). I have not actually measured the early ones to know for sure.

The newer ones (2010 and newer) I do know for certain are 5x115 mm.

If they are 5s114.3 mm – then I would crank the steering to both extremes to check for tire contact to frame. If contact is present – that wouldn’t be a problem in most cases (just need to remember that fact when driving in parking lots).

The space between rear tire and leaf spring is a bit too close for my liking (from picture).
BTW, the leaf springs on FMJ cars are mounted at an angle. The front of leaf springs are a different distance apart than the rear of leaf springs are. The reason I bring this up – is you need to look at distance on both front and rear (of rear tires) before making a decision.

For the picture you shown, I would feel better with a 1/2" spacer installed (or to use a 5x114.3 mm to 5x115 mm adaptor if wheels are different).

Note: I’m not trying to say that someone is wrong (or right). I’m going by second hand information here (which as we all know – may or might not be correct).
BudW

 

[CrAzYMoPaRGuY]

I'm going by first hand information. And I had a Magnum R/T new in 2006 and hung out in LX clubs.
LX cars are 5x115. 5x114.3 will bolt on and many do it. The cars bolt pattern is 5x115

 

[Justwondering]

Kermit ...
Everyday driver ... I wish I was a far along as you already are!

I'm glad to see the discussion on the tires and lugnuts...
We all enjoy sharing information and experiences, so please realize no one is intentionally trying to bust your chops. Just want you to be safe and share your experiences with others.

Whats on your bucket list after the rims are on?

And as a personal question from a very novice fmj owner, what is that silver disc on the driver's side of your car?

 

[BudW]

what is that silver disc on the driver's side of your car?

It is the pop-on wheel center cap (hides the lug nuts), for the Chrysler 300 9-spoke wheels.

I do want to give my position on things:
18” tires are a lot easier to find and work better than 14” tires do – except for smoothness of ride. The more distance you have between the road and the wheel – the less the passengers feel.
The closer the wheel is to the road – the better the car handles (but harsher the ride).

My goal is to road race my cars – at least a couple of times, in my life. Other than that, my cars will be street driven.

Most M-bodies (but not all) came with 15” wheels. Most F-bodies came with 14”.
When I upgrade my brakes to 11¾” front / 11” rear, the 14” wheels will no longer fit (so a wheel change will be in order). I want my wagon to look stock so I might find a set of 15” police wheels or use a set of 10-spoke or 5 on 5-spokle M/J-body wheels (if I can get my hands on some, first), for (normal) street usage.

When I do get to the track – I will want to use 18” (or larger) wheels – after I figure out a safe way to do so.
Personally, I don’t like wheel adaptors – but they work fine for most people in most cases.
Also, personally, I have seen too many issues with wheels: driving with loose lug nuts, wrong lug nuts, force fitting wrong wheels on cars, etc. and in extreme usage (like road racing) - I don’t believe the 5x115 mm wheel on a 5x114.3 hub is safe.
Some people might say street usage is even harder (ie: potholes, curbs, etc.), but others will disagree with that though.

That said – I’ll get down from this soap box and let you do what you want. You might be able to get by with no problems whatsoever.
I do highly recommend checking distance between rear tire and leaf spring on both the front side and rear side (a camera works good on front side of spring, when looking upwards).

This picture is from this thread
http://www.forfmjbodiesonly.com/classicmopar/threads/anybody-try-the-18-metric-charger-challenger-wheels.5458
BudW

 

[CrAzYMoPaRGuY]

You seem to know what's going on Bud.
I've ran 5x4 1/2 on a Magnum. Looks exactly like your pic except backwards if you know what I mean.
It's doable, but it's not right imo obviously.
The 18s do look good on your car though.

 

[Justwondering]

oh good grief ...
and here I thought he put some access panel on the hood of his car.
Don't tell my husband... it will confirm his suspicions that I don't know what I'm doing.

Thank you Bud