We’ve written extensively about the Canadian/American-made Dodge Challenger and numerous questions you can have about this car. Today, we’re going to talk about the information you need to have to select the correct new tires or rims for your Challenger. Specifically, we’ll take a look at the bolt pattern for each generation. Let’s start with a quick answer:
All Dodge Challengers manufactured from 2008 onwards have a bolt pattern of 5 x 4.53 inches (5×115 mm). Challengers manufactured between 1970 – 1974 have a bolt pattern of 5 x 4.5 inches (5×114.3 mm). Challengers manufactured between 1978 – 1983 have a bolt pattern of 4 x 4.5 inches (4×114.3 mm).
However, that certainly doesn’t tell the whole story. Below we’ve outlined the bolt pattern in more detail for each generation. We also discuss what lugs/bolts are used precisely, the exact diameter of the center bore hub, and the torque specifications of the bolts. Finally, we also have information about each engine type’s exact tire size and rim size. This way, you should know precisely what you can and cannot buy. Read on!
Also, read our main article in which we outline the bolt pattern for all Dodge models.
Wheel Fitment Specifications Per Generation
To fit a wheel properly on your Challenger, you’ll need to know more aspects than just the bolt pattern. Below we’ve outlined all the factors you should be aware of for each generation of the Challenger. These include: center bore diameter, wheel tightening torque, whether lug nuts or bolts are used, and the thread size of the bolts.
We also want to clarify that the below-listed specifications are the same for all models within that generation. The Challenger, of course, comes in different trim levels and engine options. However, these bolt patterns, lugs used, and torque specifications do not change for other models within a generation.
Furthermore, we also listed the exact tire and rim size used with each engine option to give you a precise idea of what tires you can and cannot buy.
2020 – Present-day
Challengers from this generation have a standard bore size of 71.6 mm. Furthermore, they have five lug nuts with a thread size of M14 x 15 that need to be tightened with 130 lb-ft (176 Nm).
- Challengers with a 3.6L engine and 2WD have a standard tire size of 235/55R18, or 245/45ZR20 and a rim size of 7.5Jx18 ET24 or 8Jx20 ET24. The AWD version has a standard tire size of 235/55R19 with a rim size of 7.5Jx19 ET55.
- Challengers with a 5.7L engine have a standard tire size of 245/45ZR20 and a rim size of 8Jx20 ET24.
- Challengers with a 6.4L engine have a standard tire size of 245/45ZR20 and a rim size of 9Jx20 ET22.5.
2015 – 2019
Challengers from this generation have a standard bore size of 71.6 mm. Furthermore, they have five lug nuts with a thread size of M14 x 15 that need to be tightened with 130 lb-ft (176 Nm).
- Challengers with a 3.6L engine have a standard tire size of 235/55R18, or 7.5Jx18 ET24 and a standard rim size of 245/45ZR20, or 8Jx20 ET24.
- Challengers with a 5.7L engine have a standard tire size of 245/45ZR20 and a rim size of 8Jx20 ET24.
- Challengers with a 6.4L engine have a standard tire size of 245/45ZR20 and a rim size of 9Jx20 ET22.5.
2009 – 2014
Challengers from this generation have a standard bore size of 71.6 mm. Furthermore, they have five lug nuts with a thread size of M14 x 15 that need to be tightened with 130 lb-ft (176 Nm).
- Challengers with a 3.5L engine have a standard tire size of 215/65R17 and 235/55R18 and a rim size of 7Jx17 ET22, or 7.5Jx18 ET24.
- Challengers with a 3.6L engine have a standard tire size of 235/55R18 and a rim size of 7.5Jx18 ET24.
- Challengers with a 5.7L engine have a standard tire size of 235/55R18 and 245/45ZR20 with a rim size of 7.5Jx18 ET24, or 8Jx20 ET24.
- Challengers with a 6.4L engine have a standard tire size of 245/45ZR20 with a rim size of 9Jx20 ET25.5.
2008 – 2010
Dodge Challengers manufactured between 2008 – 2010 with a 6.1L engine have a standard bore size of 71.6 mm. Furthermore, they have five lug nuts with a thread size of M14 x 1.5 that need to be tightened with 130 lb-ft (176 Nm). They have a standard tire size of 245/45ZR20 and a rim size of 9Jx20 ET25.5.
1978 – 1983
Dodge Challengers manufactured between 1978 – 1983 have a center bore of 67.1 mm and four lug nuts with a thread size of M12 x 1.5. All Challengers of this generation have a standard tire size of 195/70R14, 195/65R15, or 205/55R16 and a standard rim size of 5.5Jx14 ET44, 6Jx15 ET38, or 6.5Jx16 ET35.
1970 – 1974
Dodge Challengers manufactured between 1970 – 1974 have a center bore of 71.6 mm and five lug nuts with a thread size of 1/2″ – 20 UNF. All Challengers of this generation have a standard tire size of 215/70ZR14, 215/65ZR15, or 225/60ZR15. The standard rim sizes are 6Jx14 ET40, 6.5Jx15 ET38, or 7Jx15 ET35.
Retightening The Bolts
After you’ve disassembled the wheels, it’s time to put them back on the Challenger. However, it’s essential to know how to do this exactly to avoid dangerous situations. Dodge has provided information about this in its owner’s manual.
You do this by tightening all the nuts with a wheel wrench first. Please make sure only to tighten them halfway; otherwise, you’ll run into problems.
After that, you use the wheel wrench to tighten them entirely on the second round to the specified torque requirements.
After driving 25 miles (40 kilometers), it’s essential to check the tightness of the nuts once more. If you notice a lug nut is not fully tightened anymore, tighten them once more and repeat the process. If you see this is happening over and over again, the wheel will need to be replaced.
Sources
- https://www.wheel-size.com/size/dodge/challenger/
- https://cdn.dealereprocess.org/cdn/servicemanuals/dodge/2021-challenger.pdf
Hi! My name is Stefan; I’m the owner and lead writer at TheDriverAdviser.com.
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