Anyone run a 29" tall bias slick on a Duster? Currently have a 275/60-15 drag radial which fits no problem. (15x8 wheel, 4.5" back space). A better racer than me suggested I go to a slick when I eventually get to sorting out my car. Looking at a pair of new Hoosier D07 29" slicks with the same size wheels, just trying to make sure I can use them without too much hassle. I know I will have to get the rear back in the car and put the wheels/tires on to be certain but I'm a ways away from that point and am planning ahead while the deal is in front of me.

The top of the inner wheel wells on my car have been pounded already and the top of the lip is rolled in. I have the 1/2" inboard kit but I don't think the width is the issue, I believe it's more about the height. The attached pic shows what the wheel well clearance looks like. If I have to trim or bend the lip more it would be preferable to do it now while it's in primer.

I'd prefer not move the rear back, just seems to open a can of worms with fitment of other things.

Thanks for any input.

- Greg

29" is pushing it at the front lip, the inner wheelhouse bulge depends a bit on ride height, but better to address it now.
On the '72 Duster I had, that 1/2" - 3/4" inboard deal didn't accomplish much.
At the front of the wheelhouse, I cut a pie-slice at the flange so I could get the flange up against the front surface of the wheelhouse.
Went up about to the curve of the opening when viewed from the side.
A screw can hold it in place while you either weld or panel-bond the flange/quarter back together.
Once painted, it looks stock but allows 29"-30" of tire.
Dusters have enough of a tail weight problem without making it worse by moving the axle back, IMO.
I've moved an axle back 3/8" on a street car, but not a track car.

Topside - would trimming or bending the wheel opening lip flat at the bottom front be of any benefit? The outside of the car is not getting painted otherwise I'd think about doing what you suggested.

Cut that area out and flip it over so it becomes a small mini-tub. We did that on my Duster. A body shop guy came over to my shop and did it with some tools that he brought along. Took him a few hours to do both sides. Charged me a couple hundred bucks.

On the wheel opening, the front area - especially below the lower character line - tends to be very close to a 28" tire.
I'm sure it interferes with a 29" tire.
My '72 would fit a 30" after I lengthened the opening.
The Hamburger car in my avatar ran 13x31s on 12x15 rims and they cut the flange off to fit them, flush with the wheelhouse.
It looked pretty stock until you got close up and saw the flange missing.
(It was mini-tubbed with the leaf springs moved into the rails.)
So yes, but to avoid damaging the paint, you'd need a mini-sawzall and a fine blade, and a tape line where you're cutting.
I've cut the front fenders (bottom front corners) on a few cars with snips and only had to touch up the cut edge, but snips won't work on the quarters.

I had to roll the lip over

Cut the front lower lip 1/2

Stock leaf spring location Caltrac setup

10 inch rim 5 inch back space

29.5 10.5 15 M/T slicks

Anybody have up close pics of the trimming? I've looked at lots of pics around the internet but it's tough to see what it actually looks like? Looks like I'd have to make the cut where the red outline is.

Unfortunately, I didn't take photos, but you're about right.
Might need to go a bit higher so the wheel-opening shape has a very gradual transition as opposed to an angle.
Laying it out with some 1/4" masking tape on the outer quarter panel before you cut really helps visualize.
I cut the flange area first: a vertical cut at the contour where it folds inward.
Leave the flange attached to the quarter at the top.
Then the inner, checking the flange fit and opening shape as you go.
The nicer you cut it at the flange, the easier it'll be to refinish by back-masking and spot-blending.
You'll be better off - not burning paint - with panel adhesive than welding.

We have 3 dusters, a 73, 74 and 75. The 75 is a backhalved ladder bar car, but the other 2 are leaf spring cars with the springs moved inward 3" to the frame. We have 28" tire on the 74 but when we put new quarter panels on it we sliced the bottom front edge of the wheel wheel and moved it forward some. The 73 we used to run a 28" tire and it cleared fine from what I remember but we ended up putting a 30" tire on it and had to clearance the front lip some. I'm thinking a 29" tire and stock wheel well is going to be real close it just depends on where the rear end is located. If I were you I'd go ahead and move the front lip now while it's in primer and easier.

If it were me, rather than cutting the car, I would stick with a 28 tire.
You are currently running the same tire I am.
Few years back I had a much quicker car( 70 Duster) and I ran the Hoosier bias QTP tires. Hooked outstanding even with super stock springs on a 9 sec car.

Thanks for the replies.

Seems like there's very little chance a 29" tire would fit without cutting the front lip of the wheel well. At my level it does not seem worth cutting the car for a 1" larger tire so I will stick with a 28" tire. As long as a 275/60-15 drag radial will fit a 28 x 10 x 15 bias should fit as well.

This is from several years ago but this is what it looks like with the 275/60-15 tire.

Try the 11.5 by 28 Hoosier Qtp. Excellent bite, will fit just fine. It’s actually 28 by 10

I don't have a Duster but did the same front lip mod topside referred to, on my Plymouth B body.

I studied the way many of them were done.
The end observation was, as long as the lip is maintained, it will look pretty close to stock...even if it is relocated forward a couple inches.
When the lip is totally cut off as many race cars are, it isn't the appearance I was going for.
Not everyone would agree/no problem.

I might not need the clearance right now, but it opens up options for later.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do, even if it is to leave it alone.

This is a no brainer. Look at any NHRA Stock eliminator Duster. That tire will work better on a 10 inch wheel.

One thing to remember is a radial tire doesn't grow. A Bias tire will grow. My 68 Barracuda doesn't rub with a 28" Radial but it rubs the front just a little bit with a bias tire when it grows. It doesn't even rub enough to mark the tire, just enough to polish the front of the opening.

Bias tires sure do change shape...this is my car at about 130, Goodyear 13x31s on a 12" rim...
I was surprised to see that.

don't do like i did on my charger to run 30 x 11.50 slicks back in the day. bash in the flange, leaving the fender molding attached so it looked stock outside.
i should have had my head bashed in instead ! [duma$$ i was !]