Hot Rods Tire Size Help!

Hey all,

Running mid Sixties 15 by 7 Steel rims from an Econoline all the way around. I have 15/185 something (not sure- not by the car right now) on the front that I like, but the rear rims have tires that are only slightly larger.

Tire number folks! Is there anyone out there who know tires well enough to rattle off a few example tires sizes that would get me to the tallest and widest (not stupid wide) tires that will fit a 15 inch steel rim?

Pork

 

About a 235x70 to 235x80 is about all that you will get on that rim and most will tell you that they won't work. That puts you in the 28-30" range or should.

if you go to the Coker or Diamond Back site there are charts that will help you or you can look at different tires to see what is available size wise and go from there.

 

Did you try looking a some wheel or tire manufacture sites? Lots of calculators out there that will show you compatable tire and wheel sizes.

 

Thanks PBbeaner

57 Heap! Smart Thinking! I am searching around now! Love the Hamb for thoughts. Never can hurt to ask .

 

this might help.

 

I've never heard of a stock Ford 15x7 4.5 bolt pattern steel wheel except on a Boss 302, 71 429 Mustangs, 70-71 429 Torinos. Check the part # you may have some pretty rare wheels.

 

Pork
Are you taking your measurement from between the beads or outside to outside of the wheel lips?

 

RmK57, I have a set from a late(?) 90's Crown Vic. They look similar to earlier OE style steel rims and fit on both my '60 Fairlane and OT Ranger pickup.
-Dave
Edit: ok, maybe closer to 15 x 6.5, they are on the truck now and I'm too lazy to go check.

 

I'm not sure on the exact year they switched from the wheel with the nubs on the outside to the modern style which wont take the small 10 1/8" poverty cap. Maybe 91-92-93?

Who knows, the wheels on the Econoline could be from a Chrysler product, 15x7 steel rims were fairly common.

 

RM: My fronts are 5 on .5, as I have a 55 ford F100 front end and drum/ brake set up; my rears are 4.5 on a 65 TBird rear. Picked all four up off Eslay, and was told they were Econoline. Prob got swindeled, but I like he look of eth rims.

Pork

 

Dave, they could be what I have as well

 

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/...-inches-forward-toward-outta-the-body.207721/

Pic wheels on car

 

Another pic with better shot of the rear wheels

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/...-inches-forward-toward-outta-the-body.207721/

 

Looked at the rims while at lunch. They have 4 nubs for the poverty caps, but all I really know about them is what the lady I bought them from told me at a divorce sale. Her ex was going to use them on a Falcon project.
-Dave

 

Biggest for a a 15X6 or 15X7 is a 255/70R15 - dimensions are 29.10" Tall, 7.60" tread width, 10.20" cross section.
Safer would be the 235/70R15 tire. Smaller cross section 9.50" but shorter at 28" tall.
These are just guideline measurements, each tire brand has specific measurements.

185s are normally 25.50" tall just to give you an idea.

Need a bit more information to get a proper sizing of tire. Looking at the rim though, I bet you its a 15X6 (measured inner lip to inner lip without the tire on). Are you going to run a bed? Sometimes the bed and rear axle width and rim offset interfere with the tire size. IE - bed rub on too wide of a tire.

 

Gal6xie. Thanks! Yes gonna run a bed. The 28 to 30 sounds good as I measured the fronts yesterday and they were 26 inches, so a 4 inch jump to the rear is awesome. I also love the idea of having the 10 to 11 inch cross-section. This is why I love this damn site so much. Tire Rack here I come. Actually, I know the guy down at the Mavis in town and he always swings me deals when I buy tires, so maybe I will head down there with the rims and see what I can wrangle.

 

You are welcome...most of the time I answer and get crickets on here! I deal with tires and hot rods all day long so for me its just par for the course. But there are always variables that you can run into that cause headaches.

 

My car has a 3 speed with a ford 3.90 rear. My tires on 15 inch rims are 26 inches high. I would like rear tires that are 30 inches high, I would consider bias ply tires. Ford made a 3.30 rear,
B5A 4209-A. I have looked every where, but can't find this gear set. any help.
Thanks
John

 

Type in tire calculator in google and you will see one that says tocoma world in it. That one has a good calculator. You type in size of rim and tire size. And will give you tire revs and hight and width. In comparison to whatever you have curently

 

Now that rocks! Thanks

 

No problem. Good luck and hope that helps. Let us know what you go with and what suites you best.