Obsolete tire sizes and my dilemma

[dailydriver]

Originally Posted By: JHZR2
What benefit does the American public get long-term by accepting stuff like this with a short-term mentality?


Of course it is; NO, NONE, NADA, BUPKIS!

But the ever excessively greedy, "never enough", shareholders and CEOs get everything, while other U.S. citizens get sick, and starve.

 

[Spazdog]

Originally Posted By: JHZR2

There are plenty of US made tires from first-quality manufacturers, which surely have every bit as much engineering, design and analysis (NRE dollars) involved as with the P4. The P4 is produced in a place where the hourly wage is likely 1/10th and the burdened cost of labor is likely even less than that. Where is the savings?

If MY cost is parity with a US made tire, why would I purchase the offshored tire? IMO it is a profit grab by the company with little to no cost advantage shared by the end user.

Kind of like buying a Ralph Lauren polo shirt versus one from wal-mart. The sweatshops are within a few miles of each other, one just doesnt pass along the cost savings as much, and even if the materials are better, etc., at the end of the day there still is a TON of profit not passed along.

What benefit does the American publiuc get long-term by accepting stuff like this with a short-term mentality?


I agree.

But trying to convince the suits that they're being myopic by not looking past the next quarter is like beating your head against a brick wall. The best you can hope for is a bad headache. You're never going to get through.

I do drive a Japanese car...but it was made by United States autoworkers and I did buy it used so it was already here.

 

[SS1970chrysler]

Originally Posted By: occupant
14 inch tires are a sad lot these days.

I wanted to go bigger. The 215/70R14 on my Gran Torino were 8 years old, dry cracked, and have half tread. 25.9" diameter. Stock tires were G78-14 and were 27.1" diamater. OK, gotta go get something better.

So I'm thinking 225/70R14, but couldn't find any less than $90/tire plus installation locally. 215/75R14 would be a good compromise but they're only made in TRAILER tires now. 225/75R14 I can get from Coker at $200+ each. Forget it. So I had to get 205/75R14, found a take-off set for $200 cash with rims, and I'm happy. 26.1" diameter so only slightly better but it's better than going even smaller or having to buy 15" or 16" wheels right now. I just dropped $980 on a transmission as it is!

If I had to buy tires again, I think I'm going with 225/60R16 and CVPI steel wheels. I'll also have to buy new trim rings. But it'll be worth it to get tires easier. 2-3 years and I'll be looking into that abyss.

I'm in the same predicament at times. I've been using Coker Tire for the collector cars and this place for the drivers:
http://discounttires.com/
1966 Chrysler Newport: 225/75/R14
1966 Chrysler 300: 225/75/R14
1970 Chrysler newport: 225/75/R15
1962 Buick Lesabre: 225/75/R15
1978 Ford Granada: 195/75/R14
Once in a while, just for fun, I'll ask the Firestone counter guy for HR78/14's

 

[fdcg27]

Apples and oranges, in this case.
If you can't tell the difference between Ralph and Wally when looking at knit cotton shirts, you should probably just buy Wally.
The Ralph shirt would be a waste for you.
I'll give you a hint.
See how they look when you wear them, and see how they look after you wear them and then wash them twenty times or so.
If you still can't see a difference, Walmart should be your clothing store.

 

[dnastrau]

Originally Posted By: occupant
14 inch tires are a sad lot these days.

I wanted to go bigger. The 215/70R14 on my Gran Torino were 8 years old, dry cracked, and have half tread. 25.9" diameter. Stock tires were G78-14 and were 27.1" diamater. OK, gotta go get something better.

So I'm thinking 225/70R14, but couldn't find any less than $90/tire plus installation locally. 215/75R14 would be a good compromise but they're only made in TRAILER tires now. 225/75R14 I can get from Coker at $200+ each. Forget it. So I had to get 205/75R14, found a take-off set for $200 cash with rims, and I'm happy. 26.1" diameter so only slightly better but it's better than going even smaller or having to buy 15" or 16" wheels right now. I just dropped $980 on a transmission as it is!

If I had to buy tires again, I think I'm going with 225/60R16 and CVPI steel wheels. I'll also have to buy new trim rings. But it'll be worth it to get tires easier. 2-3 years and I'll be looking into that abyss.


215/75R14 tires can still be found in some standard whitewall sizes. Eldorado and Mastercraft are Cooper brands. Get 'em while you can:

http://www.vulcantire.com/cgi-bin/tiresearch.cgi?stock=14662&f=goldenfury_t.cst
http://www.vulcantire.com/cgi-bin/tiresearch.cgi?stock=8553&f=as_iv_t.cst

Some of the Korean brands like Hankook and Kumho have them too. One even has a 225/70R14 whitewall; same height but a bit more width:

Hankook 225 _70_14

Unfortunately, the taller 225/75R14 is no longer available unless you go to a place like Coker. That is bad (expensive)news for owners of heavy full size '60's cars that need them (Common on Olds, Chrysler, Pontiac, Lincoln, etc.)

 

[Swift]

Good Luck!

 

[ahoier]

I'm in the same boat with my 88 Aries

Just got my tax refund...and wanting to upgrade tires/rims....but for such a "normal" looking car, everything aftermarket looks so "blingy" - I don't like the saw tooth, edgey looking stuff they got available....but don't really want to upgrade to simply steel rims either

Then there's the whole tire dillema, obviously, larger the tires = more $$$ I can get R14s for like $50-$80...15s and 16s...not so.

Then, looking around DT, rimsntires.com, tirerack, etc. they got all these strange hub sizes, offsets, etc....is there a way to figure this out? I don't want to order tires and have them not fit That's why I'm kind of leaning towards Discount Tire...they just opened a place locally....about 25 minutes away, then I can let them throw them on the vehicle and be done and make sure they fit, nothing rubs, etc.....cause obviously they won't install something that won't work....

15x6.5 PCD 5x100 ET35, 5.1"[censored]
15x6.5 PCD 5x100 ET40, 5.3"[censored]
15x7.0 PCD 5x100 ET40, 5.6"[censored]
15x6.5 PCD 5x100 ET38, 5.2"[censored]
15x7.0 PCD 5x100 ET40, 5.6"[censored]

I understand the 5x100 - that's 5 lug x 100 mm that's the lug pattern...but yea, confuzzled with the other measurements....and these are just a sampling of what some sites are saying will "work" for/with my car

Those measurements are all over the place hehe.

For example, right now I'm kinda liking these wheels:
http://www.discounttire.com/dtcs/findWhe...3&rc=FLMINT

BUT, what's the difference between a 15X6.5 and 15X6? DT seems to be a lot "simpler" though...doesn't reference any backspacing, and such...just the lug pattern and distance.

 

[CapriRacer]

Originally Posted By: ahoier
I'm in the same boat with my 88 Aries

Just got my tax refund...and wanting to upgrade tires/rims....but for such a "normal" looking car, everything aftermarket looks so "blingy" - I don't like the saw tooth, edgey looking stuff they got available....but don't really want to upgrade to simply steel rims either

Then there's the whole tire dillema, obviously, larger the tires = more $$$ I can get R14s for like $50-$80...15s and 16s...not so.

Then, looking around DT, rimsntires.com, tirerack, etc. they got all these strange hub sizes, offsets, etc....is there a way to figure this out? I don't want to order tires and have them not fit That's why I'm kind of leaning towards Discount Tire...they just opened a place locally....about 25 minutes away, then I can let them throw them on the vehicle and be done and make sure they fit, nothing rubs, etc.....cause obviously they won't install something that won't work....

15x6.5 PCD 5x100 ET35, 5.1"[censored]
15x6.5 PCD 5x100 ET40, 5.3"[censored]
15x7.0 PCD 5x100 ET40, 5.6"[censored]
15x6.5 PCD 5x100 ET38, 5.2"[censored]
15x7.0 PCD 5x100 ET40, 5.6"[censored]

I understand the 5x100 - that's 5 lug x 100 mm that's the lug pattern...but yea, confuzzled with the other measurements....and these are just a sampling of what some sites are saying will "work" for/with my car

Those measurements are all over the place hehe.

For example, right now I'm kinda liking these wheels:
http://www.discounttire.com/dtcs/findWhe...3&rc=FLMINT

BUT, what's the difference between a 15X6.5 and 15X6? DT seems to be a lot "simpler" though...doesn't reference any backspacing, and such...just the lug pattern and distance.


First, you are on the right track - except you should trust that if a web site says they will fit, that they will fit. The dimensions can vary a bit and still be OK.

15X6 means the rim is 15" in diameter and is 6" wide. The biggest problem is that your car is so unusual that your wheel selection is going to be limited. Caming at the problem from the "specs" side is not the way to do this. Wheel specs don't tell you anything about the brake clearance.

You can avoid this by selecting a dealer to do all the legwork.

Take a screenshot of what you want down to dealer and have them work on it. They should be able to tell you what wheel and tire combo will work. In the end, they'll be responsible if they are problems.

 

[Jarlaxle]

For the Aries...what about Caravan steelies?

 

[SwampSurvivor]

Most caravan steel wheels I've seen in junkyards were 14''

 

[weebl]

Originally Posted By: ahoier
I'm in the same boat with my 88 Aries

Just got my tax refund...and wanting to upgrade tires/rims....but for such a "normal" looking car, everything aftermarket looks so "blingy" - I don't like the saw tooth, edgey looking stuff they got available....but don't really want to upgrade to simply steel rims either

Then there's the whole tire dillema, obviously, larger the tires = more $$$ I can get R14s for like $50-$80...15s and 16s...not so.

Then, looking around DT, rimsntires.com, tirerack, etc. they got all these strange hub sizes, offsets, etc....is there a way to figure this out? I don't want to order tires and have them not fit That's why I'm kind of leaning towards Discount Tire...they just opened a place locally....about 25 minutes away, then I can let them throw them on the vehicle and be done and make sure they fit, nothing rubs, etc.....cause obviously they won't install something that won't work....

15x6.5 PCD 5x100 ET35, 5.1"[censored]
15x6.5 PCD 5x100 ET40, 5.3"[censored]
15x7.0 PCD 5x100 ET40, 5.6"[censored]
15x6.5 PCD 5x100 ET38, 5.2"[censored]
15x7.0 PCD 5x100 ET40, 5.6"[censored]

I understand the 5x100 - that's 5 lug x 100 mm that's the lug pattern...but yea, confuzzled with the other measurements....and these are just a sampling of what some sites are saying will "work" for/with my car

Those measurements are all over the place hehe.

For example, right now I'm kinda liking these wheels:
http://www.discounttire.com/dtcs/findWhe...3&rc=FLMINT

BUT, what's the difference between a 15X6.5 and 15X6? DT seems to be a lot "simpler" though...doesn't reference any backspacing, and such...just the lug pattern and distance.


This place sells wheels online, but they've published an excellent application guide I like to use to help determine fitment. It's right here: http://fastwheels.ca/applications/app_guide_en.pdf May not be 100% accuracy, but it's pretty close - as close as you're likely to get online. Older vehicles aren't likely on there, but you could find a fit from a newer vehicle using that guide.

For your wheels, obviously you want the bolt pattern to be correct. The other measurements to look for are the hub: should be the same if you want a hubcentric fit, or can be bigger if lugcentric is fine. A smaller hub just won't fit. You want to see offset as well. Typically, you shouldn't deviate more than about +/- 5mm from factory. 10mm would be pushing it. Watch for potential caliper clearance issues from this.

When you see 15x6.0 or 15x6.5, or some other number, the measurement after the x is the width of the rim in inches. Check your tire size (a tire manufacturer's website is a good resource) to see the range of rim widths that tire size can be mounted on.

Other measurements marked on that guide have to do with the lug nut size/type on that particular vehicle. Only concern yourself with your particular vehicle's when it comes to that, and only if you need to get lug nuts.

 

[cchase]

Tire Rack only lists two tires available for our BMW - a Sumitomo and a Kumho. Neither are good tires.

It's very disheartening.

185/70R13 for what it's worth.

Right now the Michelins that are on it are quite old and it seems there's no options anymore.

 

[Jarlaxle]

I think Yokohama, Cooper, and General still make that size.

 

[Jarlaxle]

To the Peugeot guy stuck with the weird bolt pattern: are ytour current wheels steelies? If so, and if you can get four more wheels (they don't have to be true, or even hold air), there IS a solution! Stockton Wheel can take the centers of your wheels and mate them to 15" (or even larger...they make 17's and may go even bigger) hoops. Quality is superb, prices are reasonable.

 

[HerrStig]

Remember the Fat Guy "metric" tires and wheels Bust My Wallet put on some of their 5 series back in the 80's? I think there was a Mustang model back then which had them as well.

 

[HerrStig]

I upgraded my Camry 14s to 15x7 Borbet some years ago. Much better handling. Of course I relied on the fact that the V6 Camry CAME with 15's at the time. In retrospect, I should have gone to the 16 inch version with which the later version of the Gen 4 V6 was fitted . 205-60-15s are getting harder to find while 16s seem to be increasing in number.

 

[HerrStig]

My "Plus sizeing" goes back to when Ford rims fit the Volvo PV544. Sometimes a little fender adjustment was in order.

 

[HerrStig]

Michelin makes good tires but are overpriced, even at the buyer's "klubs". But, their quality control is seeping down to Goodrich which is getting better and better. Some Goodrich tires today are just cosmetically "adjusted" Michelins so you can't make an easy comparision store to store. It's like mattresses. Everybody has the famous brand, NOBODY has the same models.

 

[Jarlaxle]

I would not use a Michelin for anything more than a SWING after the way they reamed people stuck with their XRV junk.

 

[Jarlaxle]

Originally Posted By: HerrStig
Remember the Fat Guy "metric" tires and wheels Bust My Wallet put on some of their 5 series back in the 80's? I think there was a Mustang model back then which had them as well.


Yes...Mustangs had 220/55R390 Michelin TRX wheels & tires optional in the early 80's. They were dropped after 1984, with 1985 introducing the well-known 10-hole 15" alloy wheels. TRX wheels/tires were also available (I think 190/60R390) on, surprisingly, some Ford Escorts.