Tire decision = headaches !

[65-440]

It's time for wheels and tires on my 68 Coronet. I'm going with Steelies with dog dish caps, 15x7, 15x10. 235/60r15 up front. Now the headache, the rear ..... I'm torn between 295/50 and 275/60. I've researched over and over, I understand the 295 will be 3/4" wider but 1.25" shorter than the 275/60 .. I want the width but also the height, and don't want to run a drag radial ! I think I want the height more, but not sure if I want to sacrifice the width. Anybody have side by side shots of both tires, is the difference really noticeable on the ground ?

 

[dla4567]

I would go for the taller tire, to short is more noticeable. 275/60 is a common size on these cars for a reason.

 

[dfrazz]

Have you looked at M/T Sportsman S/R? Bigger and wider choices.
http://www.mickeythompsontires.com/street.php?item=SportsmanSR

 

[65-440]

Have you looked at M/T Sportsman S/R? Bigger and wider choices.
http://www.mickeythompsontires.com/street.php?item=SportsmanSR

Yes I have, was between those and cooper cobra. Not much of a difference is size spec

 

[65-440]

A 295/55 would be perfect ....

 

[69 GTX]

Your rear gear ratio might be the deciding factor if performance is important to you. Taller tire = lower numerical ratio. So with the 1.25 taller tire you may go from 3.23 to something like 3.10

 

[65-440]

Performance isn't a deciding factor, drive the car a few days a week all year round. It will eventually get the 3.23 sure grip chunk I have on the shelf. So would the 275 for the 10" wheel good or be to narrow ?

 

[dfrazz]

I had 275/60 on 15x8 and just mounted M/T SR 30x12 on Weld Prostar 15x10s. Here is a pic of both rear tires. I picked the SR's because of the size availability and I want them to last more than a few thousand miles like the ET Streets.

 

[65-440]

30x12 ! Damn ! Stock tubs ? What springs are you running ? What are the dimensions of your wheels?

 

[dfrazz]

30x12 ! Damn ! Stock tubs ? What springs are you running ? What are the dimensions of your wheels?

Totally stock except I ordered ESPO 440/Hemi springs +1". Here are the tires - http://www.mickeythompsontires.com/street.php?item=SportsmanSR

 

[65-440]

Nice, I'm running 2 457 S/S springs on mine. I was looking at those tires yesterday, not cheap for sure. The only thing that bothers me about those is they are directional, I wonder how much noise they'll make once a little worn ...

 

[440fish]

Just went through this and ended up with 15 x 8 with 245s on front and 15 x 10 with 295s out back. Plenty of room and really fills out the wheel wells nicely. I just couldn't get over the 275 60s overall look. They are just too tall and the tires look a bit skinny (for my taste.)

Ill try to get a pic of mine if that helps you.

 

[65-440]

Just went through this and ended up with 15 x 8 with 245s on front and 15 x 10 with 295s out back. Plenty of room and really fills out the wheel wells nicely. I just couldn't get over the 275 60s overall look. They are just too tall and the tires look a bit skinny (for my taste.)

Ill try to get a pic of mine if that helps you.

Pictures are always welcomed ! I was looking at the 28x11.50 mickey thompson tires, that would give me the width of a 295 and the height of a 275/60 ....

 

[440fish]

Here you go. I actually have 7" rims up front, not 8.

 

[65-440]

Looks good ! What springs are you using ?

 

[69 GTX]

Here is mine with 15x4s up front & 15x10s on rear with 325/50/15s

 

[Dennis H]

295/50 15. 8" rim. 69 Coronet.

 

[65-440]

View attachment 332223 Here is mine with 15x4s up front & 15x10s on rear with 325/50/15s

View attachment 332223

What springs ? Stock location ? Inner fender work ? That's a big tire !

 

[69 GTX]

I used Cal Tracs -1" ride height. I did mini tub it in case I wanted to go bigger down the road. Used the offset front hangers & shackles.
There's more pictures on my thread 69 GTX in members restorations section.