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Hello, I'm about to order new tires for my 79. I've relocated the emergency brake bracket and I'm wondering what is the widest tire you can fit still using the 15 x 8 wheel and keep the wheel well full? No rubber band tires for this guy. Can you also go wider in the front without any mods?
If you could help me out with the full dimensions that would be great.
TIA.
255/60r15 is the optional wider tire size for ‘79s rather than the standard 225/70r15, and probably about as wide as you would want to go on an 8” wheel. You should be able to fit them all the way around without any clearance issues.
Here is the upgraded wheel/tire combo resource thread.
These are BFG 275/60/15 drag radials. Stock trailing arms with parking brake cable bracket relocated.
^Like the above I’ve heard of people fitting 275/60r15s on the stock wheel, but you can see how much it’s ballooning out from the wheel itself. Personally, I would stick with the 255s all around for the sake of being able to rotate them, but if you want wider tires on the rear I would consider wider wheels. I have 275/50r17s on 9” wheels and 255/50r17s on 8” wheels in the front.
Yes, a 255/60-15 is the largest you can put on the front without the tire rubbing on the frame when turning. I have them all the way around and am very happy with that size/combo.
When it comes to 78 & 79 tire size choices , depends , maybe. If you ordered the 255/60/15 tire the inner corner of the fender lip was trimmed. Also, with the 255 option they trimmed the front fender lip. In the picture you can see the blue tape where they started and slowly cut more toward the front. Angle cut is obvious. If ever you wanted to know if your car came with the 255 option feel behind the lip around the noon position and you can feel where the cutting started.. Dont need a build sheet or order form.
Tire size
