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What tire sizes for best ride.....72

bandit67

bandit67

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Guys, need tires for my 72 low po 318 totally stock suspension daily driver. Not looking for the biggest meats size wise just an easy to balance, smooth ride. Wheel sizes are 15x 7 for rear and 15x6 up front. I was thinking something along the lines of 235/60/15 on the 15x7s and 215/70/15 on fronts. What would you guys suggest....wheels are Magnum 500s..thanks
 
bandit67 said:
Guys, need tires for my 72 low po 318 totally stock suspension daily driver. Not looking for the biggest meats size wise just an easy to balance, smooth ride. Wheel sizes are 15x 7 for rear and 15x6 up front. I was thinking something along the lines of 235/60/15 on the 15x7s and 215/70/15 on fronts. What would you guys suggest....wheels are Magnum 500s..thanks
Click to expand...
I think your on point, maybe 245's, & 225's if they will fit. Good luck should be a nice cruiser !!
 
For the best ride you need a high aspect ratio tire, ie 70 or 75 series. The factory used 78 series. The tire is the first part of your suspension. The more sidewall between you and the road the better the ride will be
Of course this compromises the handling somewhat. It's always about compromise!
 
What are these tires going on ?? As said above, aspect ratio is always a compromise. The taller the tires' sidewall, the better the tire absorbs road irregularities. But the sloppier the steering/cornering response, especially at higher speeds. The shorter the sidewall, the stiffer the slip angle will, be. This is the difference between the angle of the rim on a turn and angle of the tire when turning.

slip angle.png
 
MoparLeo said:
What are these tires going on ?? As said above, aspect ratio is always a compromise. The taller the tires' sidewall, the better the tire absorbs road irregularities. But the sloppier the steering/cornering response, especially at higher speeds. The shorter the sidewall, the stiffer the slip angle will, be. This is the difference between the angle of the rim on a turn and angle of the tire when turning.

View attachment 985090
Click to expand...
Tires are going on Magnum 500 wheels on a 72 Charger.
 
235/60/15 are a little short in my opinion is say a 65 minimum but again your car and style
 
Not a big variety of 65s to chose from Bb, that I have found. Am looking at 70s, much more available.....thanks....
 
The car should have come originally with either a 205/75-14 or 215/75-14 size tire. The size will be on the driver door post sticker if it hasn't been taken off.
The 215/70-15 would be the closest in the same diameter. This would also keep your speedometer close to being correct. 225/70-15 on the rear wheels if you can find a matching tire in that size.
 
I would consider a 255/60-15 on the back with a 215/65-15 on the front.
These would look and ride nicely.
If you haven't done so already, you need to replace all the other rubber parts in the front end.
Particularly the lower control arm bushings.
It will never ride or drive nicely if these are worn out.
Just an FYI.
 
bandit67 said:
Guys, need tires for my 72 low po 318 totally stock suspension daily driver. Not looking for the biggest meats size wise just an easy to balance, smooth ride. Wheel sizes are 15x 7 for rear and 15x6 up front. I was thinking something along the lines of 235/60/15 on the 15x7s and 215/70/15 on fronts. What would you guys suggest....wheels are Magnum 500s..thanks
Click to expand...
https://www.firestonecompleteautocare.com/tires/vehicle/
 
Those steel 500s, not trying to make you change your mind, are about double the weight of a same size alloy wheel, and that is gonna fight your smooth ride on anything but a smooth road.

I run 24psi in the 295/50-15 BFG rears on 15x10 alloys; and she glides right along. It corners a lil funky on turn-ins but I got used to it.
235/60-14 fronts are at 26 most of the time; 28/30 on the weekends.
Why the dual pressures? Well, the suspension is set up like a go-cart,pretty stiff, so I can skate around turns pretty hard in the first two gears. But my car spends most of it's life on the concrete hiways, running between towns. So the alloy wheels at reduced pressures, keeps my teeth from rattling.
But I must admit, my old RX-7 seats don't have much padding in them either......
 
Thanks AJ, but that is just way too much rubber on this car. My 73, a 440, 4 speed, 83/4 car with much better than stock suspension is getting the bigger meats. But for this 72 car , stock, somewhat worn original suspension , 318, 904, 71/4 , I am wanting rubber closer to stock. As we know, more sidewall is smoother but suxs at handling. But this is more like a granny car. Good AC, and all. I chose 215x70x15 tire for the front and 235x70x15 for the rear. Got them in today and don t like the 235s for the rear. Rear tire way taller than the front so thinking of going down to a 65 or 60 rear tire. Have not found happiness yet....thanks all.....
 
Cooper Cobra. Inexpensive. Drive straight and smooth.
 
E544D7EA-9884-4A5F-A0EA-C37EFC58360E.jpeg
Just put some coopers in this girl last weekend
 
Ha Ha, just my luck. Unboxing my new set of wheels from Jegs, pulled out the 15 x 7 and they are 14 x 7s. Somebody goofed at the plant as boxes clearly state 15 x 7s.....doncha just love mail order some days.....
 
In my first post I had recommended the 215/70-15 based on the upgrade form the OE 14" to the 15" you were changing from. I was in the tire business off and on for over 40 years and that is what I was basing my recommendation on. I thought later that a formula for you and others might help with tire sizing confusion.
 
My 72 has 275/60 rear and 245/60 front and I like them.
 
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