Wheel and Tire Sizes

[48Chrashler]

I am making progress on my 48 Chrysler Windsor coupe street rod. I am looking for suggestions on tire/wheel size. I have two 235 R 78 15 wide white wall tires (3 inch) from another car. I was going to ride them on the front. Is it suggested to put the same size front and rear or could I go a bit wider on the back. I put in a rear end from the Jeep Grand Cherokee (98) and Old Daddy front disk conversion on the front. I wanted to go with black Steel wheel with a baby moon and trim ring.

Suggestions are appreciated!

JC

[greg g]

Wheel vintiques makes several styles of steel wheels with varying widths and back spacing. You will want to check the hub flange to spring distance to determin what backspacing yo need to clear the rear springs and the tie rod ends. the make powder coated, unpainted steel, and chromed rims. they have an on line website and ordering guide.

[Andydodge]

JC, sounds like its coming along nicely tho' that 235 tyre seems a bit big to me for a front tyre......I know Chryslers have a bit more weight/bulk at the front but I run 195/75 15 front & 235/75 15 back on my Plymouth, I'd be putting that 235 on the back and get a 205 or 215 size tyre for the front.........have attached a pic of the Plymouth with the Cokers, as they have a different height I get some "tyre rake" as well.......the car has 1 cut coil & 2" blocks in the rear also......I am running Wheel Vintique 15x6 and 15x7Chrome Smoothies with the standard offset, which is I think 3"......regards, andyd

[JoelOkie]

JC, sounds like its coming along nicely tho' that 235 tyre seems a bit big to me for a front tyre......I know Chryslers have a bit more weight/bulk at the front but I run 195/75 15 front & 235/75 15 back on my Plymouth, I'd be putting that 235 on the back and get a 205 or 215 size tyre for the front.........have attached a pic of the Plymouth with the Cokers, as they have a different height I get some "tyre rake" as well.......the car has 1 cut coil & 2" blocks in the rear also......I am running Wheel Vintique 15x6 and 15x7Chrome Smoothies with the standard offset, which is I think 3"......regards, andyd

That car has a great sit (stance) Andy...looks like you have it tuned in quite well to me. Joel

[james curl]

I run P 235 R 75 15's on my 55 chevy pick up but on 8" wide wheels. On my 48 P-15 I run P 205 R 75 15s on stock wheels. I would think that a 4", 4 1/2" wide wheel would be too narrow for a 235 series tire.

[Niel Hoback]

I hae 225-75s on 4 1/2 wheels. They work alright, but it is a little funny looking. I don't think I would go any bigger and probably shouldn't be doing what I am.

[greg g]

I am running wheel vintique 5 x 15's with w 3.5 inch back space. Curretly I have 205 75 15's front and 225 75 15's rear. The spare is a 6.15 15 on a stock rim. I usually do fairly long cruises, (375 miles on Sunday), so I like the wider radials for safety depedability and road holding, over the standing on tip toe look of the narrow stock style bias plies.

I think if you check the recommendations, on tire mounting most manufacturers recommend at least 6 inch wide wheels for any 200 width series tires, so I am pushing the limits with the 225 but I have had 0 issues over 5 years and 12+K miles.

Some one mentioned they were running police wheels on their car, they are 7 inch wide I believe and were mentioned as being the widest that can be run with modifying sheetmetal or tie rod ends. Might work better on the earlier cars with full wheel cutouts in the fenders as opposed to 46-49 deal with the smaller wheel openings.

[martybose]

I'm running Wheel Vintique 7"x15" wheels on the back of my P15 with 235/60x15 tires. The rearend is lowered 1.5" with lowering blocks, and I have a 1/4" spacer on the axle. The tires just hit the fender a little bit when cornering fast.

Marty

[48Chrashler]

After more research and working with what I have, I am going with the white wall 235 75 15 on the rear and a 225 60 15 on the front.

For rims, I am staying with the 15 inch steel rims that came with the car, getting sand blasted and powder coated black. To dress it up, baby moons and a trim ring.

Thanks for the suggestions.

JC