hi everyone .i want to put bigger tire in the rear of my 61 f85,keeping the skinnys in the front. any suggestions on tire size ? from the looks i beleive i would need to get a small lift . any oldschool tricks anyone knos? oh the best wheels i can find on ebay are 15x8 ''4 lug'' for $120 a pc.

thanks
jim

 

What size tires are you thinking of using? I'm not too familiar with the early F-85's but I don't think the rear wheelwells will accomodate too much tire, since they originally had 13's. As long as the tire will physically fit inside the wheelwell without interference problems (don't forget suspension travel), a larger-diameter tire will raise the rear of the car without "lifting" the suspension.
Like I said, I don't know the specific tire sizes that will/won't fit, but I'm doubting you'll fit any tire that would necessitate a 8" wide wheel.

 

15" wheels were optional on the 61-63 cars, but unless you don't plan to put any rubber on them, it's the TIRE diameter that matters, not the wheel diameter. Also, an 8" wide wheel is probably too much to fit. I have 14x6 aluminum wheels on my 62 with 195/70-14s on the front and 205/70-14s on the back. There isn't much more room in the back for a wider tire. I might be able to go to a 215 or 225 with custom wheel backspacing, but neither of those need an 8" wide wheel.

By the way, my aluminum slot mags were found on Craigslist. They had been previously on an early 6 cyl Mustang. The 1960s 6 cyl Mustangs and Falcons used the same 4 x 4.5" bolt circle.

 

yes' this was my fear haha yes i hope to fit tires.but very true ,not much room in the wheel well for play.so what mr padavano saying is i should probly go with 14x6 and find a ideal tire size to fit.

thanks again guys''

jimbo

 

The wheel diameter doesn't matter. It's the TIRE outside diameter that matters. My 205/70-14 rear tires are 25.3" OD. A 205/65-15 would be 25.5" OD and the same width. The difference would be indistinguishable. In fact, if you could get the correct offset on the wheels, 225/60-15s would be about 3/4" wider and 25.6" diameter. I'm not sure if the 225s will fit - it looks close but I haven't tried them yet. You might even be able to fit 235/55-15s by rolling the fender lip.

Of course, this applies to the rear only. The fronts are marginal with the 195s I have currently.

 

Joe my 66 currently has 205/75/14 with full wheel covers. I am looking at upgrading to new SS1 rims from summit. I was a pretty stock feel to the tires as I will not be lifting the car. Do you think 205/75/14 with SS1 would look odd they are white line that will turned inside out but they are brand new so I hate to waste them. Also would 235/60/15 be to big for all 4 tires. Any opinion would be great.

 

235/60/14 tires are about 9.8 inches wide. I think that would be too wide for the front, but awesome in the rear