Tire size

Hi all,   After watching dejablu brag about his new set up I am seriously thinkin' about new wheels.

   Here's where I need help:   Can I do 265  60  in the back?   can I do 255 inthe front.  I know the 255 is the width but how do I figure out the ratio and over all size?

  I mean I may just copy dejablu (sincerest form of flattery)  because its the same car and I wont go wrong. But I'd like a little wider in the back. Also do I need new rims? I have stock rims  '77 with the beauty rims.  Any help would be appreciated.

Discount Tire's web-site has a nice feature where you select your car and it shows you the stock tire size.  Then it shows the "plus" options that will work on your car.

Armed with that info go to Tire Rack's web-site and put in the tire size you want to look at.  Select a tire and then click on the "Specs" link.  That page will list out all the info you'll ever need to pick a tire - including the allowable rim widths.

If you're still unsure about which sizes to go with plan an expedition driving the car to a tire/wheel store that has a reputation for knowing their stuff and talk through options with them.  To be honest I have been less than impressed with the knowledge base of the "sales folk" at the chain tire outlets near me.  They're mostly young 'hotshots' who know how to work a keyboard and mouse and read back what is displayed on the monitor (which is usually exactly what I found on their web-site!).  But ask them about wheel backspacing and offset measurements and their eyes glaze over and you're looking at a deer staring into the headlights.

Good luck!

265's are risky with a stock 15 in rim.  16's and 17's would probably be safe, but but may require relocating parking brake cable and using offset t/A arms.

I actually wanted 265's on mine, but the model of tire I wanted was not available.  Mine are 18's and I run an VBR rear fiberglass leaf and rear sway bar and it would have given me 5/8" clearance between tire side wall and the rear sway bar.

Surprisingly the rear sway bar, and rear leaf and offset has more to do with clearances then an offset T/arm and parking brke cable.

I could have put a 295 on my rear but the tire tread would have extended 1-1/4" beyond the wheel well.  Real redneck looking.