Tire size

Don Carvill

Well Known Member
Ok, so I am getting a little ahead of the game.
I went out to the barn to swap the tires on the back of the impala.
It has 14 inch slots all around. I put my tires from my Corvair on it to go to the body shop. The rims for the roll arounds are rally wheels with p195-70-14's.
They are very small tires for the impala. The tires on the slots are 215-70-14 for the front and 225-70-14 on the back.They are older tires that will be replaced. I like the way the car sits and looks with theses tires. Is this a common size that most of you are running?
 

wristpin

Well Known Member
Let me start with...i dont own an Xframe car so what i run is ziltch. Nobody replied so i will. Those are very common sizes.
 

Don Carvill

Well Known Member
The 225 on the rear is a little bit harder to take off the car, because it fills the wheel well, but I like the fat tire look.
 

1958 delivery

Well Known Member
Supporting Member 2
If you like the way it looks then that is all that really matters.
My only comment on your choice of size is since they are so close to the same is there any reason for only going one size bigger on the rear? I would consider going same all around such as the 215/70/14 all around or go bigger on the rear but more then just one size
 

skipxt4

Well Seasoned Member
Supporting Member 18
My 64 409 Conv. when new, had 8:00 X 14. I believe, as time went on, that size became G70 X 14. :rolleyes then 215/70/14. I also put 225/70/14 on the rear. They were too tight.:doh
 

DonSSDD

Well Known Member
Supporting Member 2
Most of us are running 15’s, unless you are running stock rims. 14’s are getting hard to find in larger sizes, 15’s are much easier to buy. Getting the rears off requires lifting the frame sometimes, due to the shape of the rear fenders. These cars came with bumper jacks, not axle jacks.
I run a 28 inch by 8 inch by 15, stock is about 26 inch if I remember correctly. You can go fairly wide on the rear, a 245, 255, some are running wider.
 

Don Carvill

Well Known Member
Thanks for the replies.
When I was a teenager in the seventies, the Chevys that caught my eye had slots and fat tires on the rear. I liked the Cragars, but not as much as the dull aluminum slots for some reason.
Since my car already has 14's I will stick with them. If I make a change I will go with 15's.
 

Lara4228

Active Member
Im glad you posted this.

Our bel air has 20s on the front and 22s on the back. Allowed us to lower it beautifully. Now our impala, just got lowered yesterday and we 17s all way round. Now it looks like shit. We choose 17s to have the bigger tire look but with a smoother ride. But it...didnt allow us to have the rake we wanted.

Stick with 15s imoFB_IMG_1578856859564.jpg
 

64ss409

Well Known Member
Supporting Member 9
My 64 409 Conv. when new, had 8:00 X 14. I believe, as time went on, that size became G70 X 14. :rolleyes then 215/70/14. I also put 225/70/14 on the rear. They were too tight.:doh
Mine also came with 8.00x14. I now have 215/70x14, which is as close as I could get to original size. There is not much selection of 14's anymore since everything is going larger wheels.
 

59K9

Well Known Member
Supporting Member 3
keep one thing in mind when changing tire size, the diameter will change you're final drive ratio...I've got a 3.73 posi in one of my camaros...went to 45 series tires for the fat look and now when I corner hard I scrub the outer fender lip and it now acts like it has a 4.56 gear...3000rpm at 65mph
 

Don Carvill

Well Known Member
The more I think about it, I am inclined to go with 70-215-14's all around. The 225's would be a chore to change on the side of the road and I can rotate them. I will also be able to use my 195-70-14's. as spares and roll arounds while the body work is done.
 

Don Carvill

Well Known Member
Since I grew up in the 70's and there were no tall rims. I have the look that existed printed in my memory. I also like the stock ride height for my car.
That being said, I can appreciate the look and custom suspension of the cars with tall rims and air bags. I do not have the expertise or funds to customize my car to that extent, I will put my time into upgrading the drive train and brakes. After the body work is done. I actually found the body shop that will be doing the body work and paint on my car. as you can see, there is a ways to go...
 

Attachments

  • P5080005.JPG
    P5080005.JPG
    49.2 KB · Views: 32
  • P5080006.JPG
    P5080006.JPG
    60.6 KB · Views: 34
  • P5080007.JPG
    P5080007.JPG
    46.6 KB · Views: 32
  • P5080008.JPG
    P5080008.JPG
    47.6 KB · Views: 32
Top