I am curious as to what my tire options are on my 72 T&C Wagon. I just bought this car last week; so I am still learning about it...and it needs tires as they are all dry rotted. The vehicle currently has LT (light truck) tires on it... a 235/75/15 I am thinking that with the weight of this car I need to stay with a large tire size; but what about something a little lower in profile. Can todays lower profile tires handle this kind of weight or am I pretty much limited to these large tires to be safe. My goal is a smooth cushy ride.
You shouldn't have a problem going to a lower profile. You don't need light truck tires on these cars. LT tires have thicker sidewalls . I have 275/60/15 on the rear and 245/60/15 on the front. Go to your local tire store and ask them what they recommend. you can get some chrome rims that are wider than stock. these c bodies have lots of room. I have 15x8's on the rear and 15x6's on the front Cragar s/s.Kelly charger tires. Moparwagon 1968 Dodge Monaco
Thanks for the tip there moparwagon... that is what I was hoping... I like a nice 60 series tire with some nice white lettering. Any chance you have a good pic of your Monoco with that set-up? I want to see what it looks like with a nice off-set like that and low profile tires. PS - I grew up in Michigan, Rochester Hills/Utica area... right near Sterling Hieghts. Good to see another Michigander on here
Maybe you all know, but don't forget that 275/60/15 is not lower then 235/75/15. You can only go really lower if you change to another rim (16", 17",.....) but then wide tires become pretty expensive, as they are mostly higher rated tires.
Senri...you're right on that... I just dont want such a gigantic/tall side wall, so I want to go lower profile (not lower overall) to a 60 series as apposed to the 75 series on it now. (I think...maybe..hmmm...yeah... right?) HAHA
just keep in mind...when you change the 'height' of the tire...you will change your speedo read....ex;..smaller diameter means the wheel is turning faster...thus the Speedo thinks your going faster!! doesnt hurt anything...just something to remember when you cant figure out why people are passing you...when you think your doing the speed limit !!
Well, it will hurt your wallet probably as not only your speedo is thinking your going fast, but also your engine. Revs will be higher at a certain speed. But on the tire size, changing from 235/75/15 to 275/60/15 will decrease your side wall height from 6.9" to 6.5". This also influences your total tire height as the rim diameter is the same. Total height will go from 28.9" to 28" and so your speedo will show 3% higher. If you would change to 275/55/17, your speedo would not change (and so mpg), but your side wall will only be 6". Plus I guess the bigger rim will make the tire look even smaller, but that is just a guess. Tire size calculators can be found anywhere on the net, I just used this one: http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html Another advantage is that rims are mostly lighter the rubber, so 275/55/17 tire with lightmetal wheel will be much lighter then a 235/75/15 combo, certainly if that are still steel wheels. This weight advantage will give you better mpg (less rotational mass), quicker acceleration and more comfort (but tire height will be lower, so I guess this evens it out). It is just that 17" wheels and rubber is more expensive.
Just to be complete, do keep in mind that wider tires will hurt performance and economy because of increased drag. In my '88 caprice, topspeed went down from 170km/h to 160km/h after switching to wider tires.
Yep, not to worry... I am thinking my 440 will pretty much push me to whatever speed I want . I just wanted to check out my options. I think I am going to stick with the stock wheel size, just get a more modern tire. I think I am going to go police car style... black stock wheels with some poverty caps or baby moons.
I'm not sure if this will fit with your height/width requirements, but as far as your goal for a smooth/cushy ride, the Goodyear ComforTreds were rated as the quietest and smoothest tire. After researching tires, I bought them for my car and have been happy with them so far (about 2-1/2 yrs and 30k miles). I found them to be smoother, softer and quieter than the touring tires that I had on the car when I bought it a year prior. The problem you might run across is that they are designed for a soft/smooth/quiet ride and they may be soft enough that they may not handle the way you might want. I haven't had any problems with handling, but I drive a "grandpa car" and mostly drive it as such. I have mine WSW-out (pinstripe, not wide-stripe), but you can have them mounted WSW-in if you want, especially with the poverty caps. And they also have that "permanent new tire" look to them, so they stay looking newer longer. Mine still look practically brand new, white stripe and all, after only going through the local car wash.
As an update: The original tire size was 225/75/15 for this car. The tire place says to stay with the 235 as I have more choices in the type of tire. Now my choice is White Wall or Black Wall?? I think I really want to go with the police car plain jane look... black wall with poverty caps..., but I did see a really nice 72 Impala Wagon last night that had white walls, painted wheels to match the car...and poverty caps - and it looked pretty good. Of course...there is also trim rings as an option... hmmmmmmmmmmmm
Wheels painted to match the car with poverty caps always looks good! I'm doing the same thing with my 58 Chevy once I get that far. It gives a real retro-rod kind of look.
