What tire on stock steel wheels?
01-12-2012, 03:20 PM
#1
Advanced
Thread Starter
What tire on stock steel wheels?
My stock '77 steel wheels are 8" wide. The tires that were on the car were Goodyear Eagles 225/70R-15. So, I ordered a set of 5 BFG Radial T/A 225/70R-15 tires to go around plus the spare. Then I discovered that BFG wants a maximum wheel width of 7.5" for that tire.
Of course, I called BFG...and they recommended that I use a 225/70R-15 to match-up with the stock G70R-15 for the car. When I asked them about how that "works" with their "maximum" 7.5" wheel recommendation, they backtracked and said that they wouldn't use that tire with that wheel...but didn't give me another tire recommendation, either.
Anybody have an opinion or would you pay to ship them back and get a different tire dimension? I haven't yet mounted them, so I can return them, but at an obvious "shipping cost" probably equal to at least one tire.
MxB
Of course, I called BFG...and they recommended that I use a 225/70R-15 to match-up with the stock G70R-15 for the car. When I asked them about how that "works" with their "maximum" 7.5" wheel recommendation, they backtracked and said that they wouldn't use that tire with that wheel...but didn't give me another tire recommendation, either.
Anybody have an opinion or would you pay to ship them back and get a different tire dimension? I haven't yet mounted them, so I can return them, but at an obvious "shipping cost" probably equal to at least one tire.
MxB
01-12-2012, 03:42 PM
#2
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Mar 2008
Location: Oxford MA-----You just lost the game!!!!
Posts: 5,948
Likes: 0
Received 62 Likes
on
52 Posts
I don't think I would have any problem with running the factory tire size, no matter what Goodyear had to say about it. Makes ya wonder, though, doesn't it? They are a tire company, you'd think they would know a little something about tires. Just more proof of my own personal theory of life: The world is run by people who have no idea what they are doing. Just look around, you'll see it's true.
Scott
Scott
01-12-2012, 03:45 PM
#3
The origional tire on that car was probably a GR70-15. Most of the time nowadays, they replace it with the 225/70R/15. Thousands of C3's have that size tire installed now, on 8 inch wide wheels, without problems. It is very slightly taller than the GR70-15.
You could also try the 235/60R/15. IMHO, that is a closer match to the origional GR70 tire. The load rating is a bit less. But the tire still has plenty of capacity for the application. Remember the max inflation on the old tires was just 32 psi. Now, the maximum recommended pressure on most tires is at least 35 psi, to minimize rolling resistance. I run mine at 30 psi, with good results.
You could also try the 235/60R/15. IMHO, that is a closer match to the origional GR70 tire. The load rating is a bit less. But the tire still has plenty of capacity for the application. Remember the max inflation on the old tires was just 32 psi. Now, the maximum recommended pressure on most tires is at least 35 psi, to minimize rolling resistance. I run mine at 30 psi, with good results.
Last edited by gcusmano74; 01-12-2012 at 03:59 PM.
01-12-2012, 04:11 PM
#4
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Mar 2008
Location: Oxford MA-----You just lost the game!!!!
Posts: 5,948
Likes: 0
Received 62 Likes
on
52 Posts
The origional tire on that car was probably a GR70-15. Most of the time nowadays, they replace it with the 225/70R/15. Thousands of C3's have that size tire installed now, on 8 inch wide wheels, without problems. It is very slightly taller than the GR70-15.
You could also try the 235/60R/15. IMHO, that is a closer match to the origional GR70 tire. The load rating is a bit less. But the tire still has plenty of capacity for the application. Remember the max inflation on the old tires was just 32 psi. Now, the maximum recommended pressure on most tires is at least 35 psi, to minimize rolling resistance. I run mine at 30 psi, with good results.
You could also try the 235/60R/15. IMHO, that is a closer match to the origional GR70 tire. The load rating is a bit less. But the tire still has plenty of capacity for the application. Remember the max inflation on the old tires was just 32 psi. Now, the maximum recommended pressure on most tires is at least 35 psi, to minimize rolling resistance. I run mine at 30 psi, with good results.
Scott
01-12-2012, 04:20 PM
#5
Race Director
Member Since: Apr 2011
Location: North of Toronto - Ontario
Posts: 10,853
Received 3,138 Likes
on
2,069 Posts
I'm running BFG 235/70R15 at pretty close to 28" (just over at 32psi) on the factory aluminum rims.
01-12-2012, 06:24 PM
#7
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Mar 2008
Location: Oxford MA-----You just lost the game!!!!
Posts: 5,948
Likes: 0
Received 62 Likes
on
52 Posts
Yeah, 255/60-15 was the optional tire size back then, that's what I have on my '80, I have the optional aluminum wheels, but I don't think that should make any difference, a 15 x 8 wheel should pretty much be a 15 x 8 wheel. If you decide to send 'em back, think about the 255/60-15s. I think Goodyear and Firestone are the only ones who still make 'em, though.
Scott
Scott
01-13-2012, 09:26 PM
#9
Advanced
Member Since: Apr 2011
Location: Newington Ct
Posts: 82
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
just bought bfg 255 60 15 and they fit perfect with no issues on my 75 8x15 rallies. Nice responsive quite ride and handle great. paid $155 ea from a local tire shop.. What I found is Firestone, Goodyear and bfg are the only ones still making this size...there could be others though I'm aware of...Cooper and Dunlop?
Oh and theres Mickey Thompson as well, good tire but only 11/32 of thread I beleive
Oh and theres Mickey Thompson as well, good tire but only 11/32 of thread I beleive
