295 vs 275 Tires

[biomedtechguy]

Prefer the height of 275's, but the rear end view of 295's are wicked.

It would seem to me the solution is larger diameter wheels with appropriate offset.

 

[hunt2elk]

It would seem to me the solution is larger diameter wheels with appropriate offset.

I personally don't care for anything bigger than 15" wheels on these old cars. There are several guys running 275 tires on 15x10 rims in my neck of the woods. Just saying that the combo works in my world......

 

[Brendanchambers]

I have always had the same dilemma as you. Prefer the height of 275's, but the rear end view of 295's are wicked. Last 2 cars I have put 275's on a 10 inch rim. I like the compromise.

i'm thinking the 275 will have to be the compromise, i really want that tall tire, and i think from what can see the 275 looks fat enough

 

[Brendanchambers]

There's about a bazillion of 'em here on FBBO.
(Search box is upper right on the site) (I have some photo garages on FBBO)View attachment 999666

Oh....and leaf spring extenders are just plain tacky.

Damn, looks nice....is this the stock suspension?

 

[33 IMP]

The only thing that I have left for this discussion is this... The wrong rim will limit what fits.
I have a 62 savoy, less room for actual tire than your runner, but a ridiculously long wheelwell that doesn't look right without a tall tire.
I have three setups that I use: a 10.5" 28 slick (until it's done), a 10"28 slick, and a 255/70x15 street tire. The bigger slick ONLY fits because the rim, 8.5 has a lot of backspace, and I can use spacers to get it where it needs to be. The 10" slick (just a little bigger than your 275) falls in, comparatively speaking, because the backspace is right (4.5).
The 255x70 were a compromise, because the wheel, 15x8 ramcharger steelie, doesn't have enough backspace, designed for a large truck, after all! I wanted height, so I sacrificed width.
By the way, all of the above fit my 69 runner, the 10.5 slicks DO require spacers though , 4 7/8 bs, need 3/8 spacer, comes back to 4.5 bs on an 8, 8.5 rim again.

 

[moparedtn]

Damn, looks nice....is this the stock suspension?

Thanks. Stock and original, yep.

 

[moparedtn]

I personally don't care for anything bigger than 15" wheels on these old cars. There are several guys running 275 tires on 15x10 rims in my neck of the woods. Just saying that the combo works in my world......

View attachment 999689

Speaking of which, what IS the offset on those?

 

[hunt2elk]

Speaking of which, what IS the offset on those?

5 1/8" on one side and 5 5/16" on the other.

 

[themechanic]

Be more concerned with the quality of the tire then select your size.

 

[oscar01]

The sr1000's came on the car when it arrived they were 275 /60, I put on the coopers and they are 295 /50. The rim is 15 x 10 .

 

[33 IMP]

View attachment 999744 View attachment 999745 The sr1000's came on the car when it arrived they were 275 /60, I put on the coopers and they are 295 /50. The rim is 15 x 10 .

I can guarantee those tires, on those rims, WON'T fit a 69 runner, without lifting the *** about thre or four inches.

 

[biomedtechguy]

Here's a few pix just for comparison.
17" Rallye wheels 8" front 9" rear stock suspension. 315/35/17 rear drag radials
Going to try a 345/40/17 next, and a little taller, narrower front tire.

 

[MoparLeo]

The point on the diameter is that only 1/2 of the diameter difference will affect filling the fender well. The other of the tire is below the fender. Unless you lower the car, which would place the tire higher in the fender well.

 

[33 IMP]

To me, "filling the wheelwell" means minimal space at the front and rear of the wheelwell opening. As an example, a 12"wide, 24"tall tire might fill all the space between the fender and the spring, but have a couple inches of open space at the front and rear of the opening. To me, that is NOT filling the wheel well ,and just looks silly. Granted ,this is an extreme example, but it gets my point across. Given a choice, i will take height over width .

 

[hugh68charger]

Nice, thanks.
i'm beginning to think taller is better than wider...

what width steel rims are those? 8 or 9?

8 inch wide rims

 

[Brendanchambers]

Awesome, thanks for all the contributions...
From what i can take from all the comments is that the general opinion is taller is better than wider.

So I'm now thinking its going to be 275/60/r15 on a 8 or 9in rim...with the right BS to fit...

 

[Brendanchambers]

I personally don't care for anything bigger than 15" wheels on these old cars. There are several guys running 275 tires on 15x10 rims in my neck of the woods. Just saying that the combo works in my world......

View attachment 999689

i'snt a 10in rim a tad too wide for 275s? i'd be scared id pop a bead....

 

[hunt2elk]

i'snt a 10in rim a tad too wide for 275s? i'd be scared id pop a bead....

Most places show a max rim width of 9.5" for a 275. Discount tire used to say 10" max, but now I see they have 11" on their site. Probably a misprint.
https://www.discounttire.com/buy-tires/cooper-cobra-radial-gt/p/27890

 

[33 IMP]

i'snt a 10in rim a tad too wide for 275s? i'd be scared id pop a bead....

There are guys using 275 drag radials on 14"wide rims, though 12" is more common. But, that is for maximum traction for very fast cars, not street drivers. I wouldnt worry about 275s on 10"rims, but then you have the problem of making SURE the backspace is exactly right for your car, again.

 

[Moparmann]

I bought Dynacorn 15 x 8 one piece Alloy Magnum 500's to give me more options on tire size AND to maintain the present look that I have. The added benefit was that they filled up/out the wheel wells; I am well pleased! Check the pix; Left-New, Right-Old