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Yet another tire size question

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Old Mar 22, 2007 | 12:49 AM
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Default Yet another tire size question

Long time reader here, first time poster....I've learned a lot from you guys since buying my first C3 about 8 months ago. Thanks for all the great info!

I've got a '75 that I'm trying to get back to more of a stock look (when I got the car it had low-profile tires that look great...but I guess I'm just a sucker for the originals). I just purchased a set of 8" rally wheels and now I need to decide on tires and tire size. Tire Rack says the stock replacements are 225/70-15 but I really like the look and size of the Firehawk Indy 500 255/60-15. I have searched through the forums and found many opinions on this issue but really have come to no conclusion.

Bottom line is, what are my chances of these 255/60's rubbing on my front fender wells?

Any advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks!
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Old Mar 22, 2007 | 01:28 AM
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I have 255/60s and never had to trim anything up front to make them fit.
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Old Mar 22, 2007 | 02:11 AM
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255/60s is what I see alot of C3s running, and it's what I plan on moving to when my 225/70s wear out.
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Old Mar 22, 2007 | 09:57 AM
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225/70R15 is the equivalent stock size. 255/60R15 was an option for later years. There are some cars that the 255's don't rub at all, but I have seen plenty that have.

If you get the tires from tire rack, and the 255's rub on the front, you may have trouble returning them after they are mounted. Also, the shop that mounts them probably won't do it for free unless you know someone.
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Old Mar 22, 2007 | 10:03 AM
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It wasn't until the '78 model year that fender well modifications were made to allow 60 series tires without problems. Prior to that, it's very much a car by car thing if the 60 series will clear or have problems.

There's only one way to find out and that's to try.
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Old Mar 22, 2007 | 12:11 PM
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Originally Posted by dgruenke
225/70R15 is the equivalent stock size. 255/60R15 was an option for later years. There are some cars that the 255's don't rub at all, but I have seen plenty that have.

If you get the tires from tire rack, and the 255's rub on the front, you may have trouble returning them after they are mounted. Also, the shop that mounts them probably won't do it for free unless you know someone.
I'm in the same boat with a 1976 w/ stock rubber size. Where would the BFG AT radial 255/60-15's rub most likely??? Full turn rubbing or during suspension travel? I could live with a slight rub at lock but I really don't want to crack fenders if the tire sticks out a little farther and hits the fenders during normal suspension travel.

I was told there was a batch of 245 BFG produced for the spring. Anyone found out if that is true? Maybe a source for the 245s too if the 255s are a no-go for me. Thanks
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Old Mar 22, 2007 | 01:16 PM
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I have a 79 and they rub in the back, you need to trim the fender back. In the NCRS forum the told me that this was done also at the factory.

Yves
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Old Mar 22, 2007 | 01:51 PM
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I have a 77 and have been running 255x60x15 for 6 years and never a rub.
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Old Mar 22, 2007 | 11:36 PM
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I'm in the same boat with a 1976 w/ stock rubber size. Where would the BFG AT radial 255/60-15's rub most likely??? Full turn rubbing or during suspension travel? I could live with a slight rub at lock but I really don't want to crack fenders if the tire sticks out a little farther and hits the fenders during normal suspension travel.

I was told there was a batch of 245 BFG produced for the spring. Anyone found out if that is true? Maybe a source for the 245s too if the 255s are a no-go for me. Thanks[/QUOTE]

It's at full turn. I've wondered over the years if this rub could happen from improper body repair. Mine's never been wrecked. Any opinions?
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Old Mar 23, 2007 | 02:47 AM
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I just ordered 2 tires from Tire Rack, 255/60/15 for the rear but I will see if they fit the front and if they do I'll be ordering another 2 from them. The 245/60/15 Dunlop GT Qualifiers that I wanted for the front are on backorder till 5/7/07. They are supposed to be here tomorrow so I'll see if they fit.
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Old Mar 23, 2007 | 03:16 PM
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It's at full turn. I've wondered over the years if this rub could happen from improper body repair. Mine's never been wrecked. Any opinions?[/QUOTE]


For mine, I was thinking the front and rear springs are sagging. The back is real bad.. looks like an up-side-down "U" I would think a composite rear spring would get the stance back for the 255.
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