I just bought these wheels for the 72 Cutlass S project I am working on for my dad and I'm wondering what front and rear tire sizes I can go with to give the car a nice stance (slightly higher in the rear). I'd like to go with something with the white lettering on them true to the period but with a nice modern ride (No polyglass) I.e. Uniroyal Tiger paws, BFG T/A's or Eagles.

Please let me know! thanks!

- RJ

 

You'll get a lot of different answers on this one. I went with 275/60/15 on the rear, and 255/60/15 on the front... but my suspension is not stock, and I have 15x8" rims front and back.

IMAG0230_zpsc269aa5e.jpg

 

Nice ride. That's exactly the type of stance I'd like to get onto the vehicle. Although all my wheels are identical in size. Do you think I can still get that type of stance by just going with larger tires in the back or should I look into getting a set of larger wheels for the rear?

 

Here is a picture of it at stock ride height to get a better look. Mine is lowered about 3" in the front, and 2" in the back.

My wheels are all 15"x8". Yours look stock so they are probably 15x7.

IMAG0606.jpg

 

I have had several and keep going back to 245 60 t/a radials. They ride nice. Look good and you can rotate them with all 4 the same size. They clear good and yet look great.

And you can get them at Costco for a deal. Have to order and takes a bit but they are a great price.

 

Are your wheels 14" or 15", just asking?

 

NHolds: Looks good! I'm hoping to keep stock suspension for now to save money, but you have given me some things to think about for the future!

 

14" I believe they are 14x6 but I'll have to check. A guy from my local wheel/tire shop said they were 14x6's as well though he did not measure them or anything

 

They are stamped on the inside whay size they are. If they are 14's you will have a limited availability on tires.

 

Thanks, They are stamped 14x6 on the back. Should I still be able to find two different size tires for front and back to achieve a nice stance or do you think I will have to upgrade my suspension and raise/lower front and rear as NHolds has done?

 

Find two of that style wheel in 15 X 7 and put them on back with 245 or 255 60's and run a 235 or 225 60 on front should look really awesome

 

Be aware that there are a limited number of sizes available for 14" tires as that is an old (and almost obsolete) wheel size. 14x6 is a fairly narrow wheel and will limit your tire sizes even further. Those wheels look like 80s era 14x6 with snap-on center caps.

Below is a pic of my car with 245-60-14s on 14x7 SSII wheels painted body color. This is about the widest tire you can fit onto a 7" wheel and is likely too wide for your 6" wheels. Note that I achieved this stance with the front and rear springs instead of the tire sizes. Springs are cheap - about $100 a pair for Moog springs from most places, and rears are super easy to change. Just disconnect the rear shocks and jack the car up til the springs are loose. I am a big fan of same size tires all around so that I can rotate them for tread longevity.

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Here's a link to a thread with spring info:

https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...w-springs.html

 

So many options to try to choose from! I had no idea that the 14" wheels were becoming obsolete. Although I do like the idea of being able to rotate the tires for tire longevity as FUN71 suggested.

I guess I will have to throw a little more money towards springs to achieve the aggressive stance that I want as well as being able to rotate the tires. (We plan on putting some miles on this thing when its done!)

Hopefully tires for 14's wont become so obsolete that they either stop making them and or price gouge because of limited demand! Luckily I didn't spend too much on the wheels! Got a great deal from a co-worker who has a few Oldsmobiles in his garage.

 

I agree the same size tire makes the most sense. I also agree springs is the best answer for ride height. We used to use station wagon springs out of a used A body wagon to get the rear to sit just a little higher and it worked great. Not vista cruiser springs as they are much heavier and the ride height seems to be too high. Just some old school stuff that might help.

 

Do you have a side shot picture of your car so we can see the current stance.

 

Not a perfect side shot but its all I have on hand at the moment. It doesnt have any kind of stance and the springs are pretty old and sagging a bit

 

As far as I can see the stance is ok, it seems higher in the back. The only problem is I don't think the 14x6 wheels combined with the limited tires available for a 14" wheel will get you the look your after. You'd be better off with a 15" wheel in the back as Lemoldsnut mentioned earlier.

 

I bought the wheels pictured in my initial post for only $125 (For all 4!) In the condition they're in they are worth far more than that and i'd be the luckiest guy in the world to find a set of 15's in that condition for anywhere near the same price. I think I'm going to have to roll the dice and try to go for the look FUN71 has got on his car. Its aggressive enough and I think it will end up costing less than finding a set of 15's.

I'm going to throw a wheel in the back of my truck and take it around town to a few places tomorrow and see what I can find. Wish me luck!

 

Check with a tire shop but don't think you can put those 60 series on 14x6. Best option might be 225/70R/14's which are pretty easy to find and close to factory height. Probably the most common size people put on 14" wheels.

 

I don't think he will have any problem running a P245-60-14 on a 6" wide rim in the back, and a suitable 60 or 70 series tire in the front.

 

Just remember that springs have as much to do with stance as tires do.

 

Probably 14x7, but maybe 14x6. Unfortunately you didn't get a bargain, these wheels are everywhere. Just for reference, I got a good stance using these wheels on a Skylark, 215/75/14 rear, 195/65/14 front (on millions of minivans).
Steve

 

Getting ready to head out and check some tire sizes guys! Wish me luck!!!

 

Thats just it, these wheels arent everywhere here in Lansing. Trust me I looked high and low. They were selling for up to $50 a piece in worse condition with no beauty rings or accessories on them. They are stamped 14x6 on the back. I'm heading out now to check around for tires/prices. I'll get some business cards with pricing and size and let everyone know what I found

 

Front - 235/60-15 on 7" rims

Rear - 255/60-15 on 8" rims

Perfect stance.

 

IMO
if you are using the 14x6.0" wheels all around - 225/70/14s all around (60 series 14" tires on a GM a-body are too short, they don't fill the wheel wells)

if you want to buy a couple wheels, get a pair of stock 15x7.0 or aftermarket 15x8.0 wheels - 225/70/14 front & 275/60/15 rear

& I believe the ONLY recent choices for a 225/70/14 were/are BFG Radial T/As, Cooper Cobras, & Firestone Firehawk (& at least one of those is no longer in production)

 

Ok guys, I think I'm going with the 225/70/14's all around and I'm going to buy some springs, I like the option of rotating the wheels for tire longevity...we are planning on driving this thing every chance we get...why spend the money to let it sit right!?

Here are a few quotes I got

Belle Tire:
BFG Radial T/A $462.68 out the door

Discount tire:
BFG Radial T/A $482.60 out the door

Budget tire:
Hakoook 725 $447.96

I think I'm going with the BFG's so looks like I'll have to do some haggling and see who can be the lowest bidder!

 

Good to see there are more choices in the 225/70/14 tire size, I just checked Summit & they show (BFG, Cooper, Mastercraft, Hankook & 2 "all terrain")

the spec on the Hankook is "white wall" - is this what Budget Tire told you?

 

Does the discount tire quote include a road hazard warranty? If it does thats your best bet.

 

Budget never told me exactly what type it was, I asked for something with raised white letters but I cant remember the exact specs on the tire just the size.

 

I dont believe Discount tire quoted that price with a warranty. A guy I went to high school with is an assistant manager at Belle tire though and he told me to come back and he'd beat almost any quote I could find around town. I have one more place to check, I've been getting cards from all of them so if I get one lower than his price I'll show it to him and see what he says and ask about warranty as well

 

And if you take your quote to discount they will beat it also. It's not always the price it's what happens if they have issues. Is your friend going to give you the same level of service as a Discount tire?

 

Maybe I can get a bidding war going! I would hope so, I'll have to see who will beat who with the best type of warranty. At the end of the day the best package beats friendship haha

 

I know this is an old thread, but I'd like to chime in on getting quotes from tire shops. Make sure to get a business card from each shop. Write in the tire size on the back, with a slightly lower price than you actually got quoted. Take that "quote" to the competitor, who will match or lower the price more; get THAT quote and take it around to the competition. There is room to play on tire prices, this is a way to level the playing field when it comes to pricing. Make sure these are out the door prices, including warranties, balance, etc. Naturally, trusted shops are better than econ-tire places that don't look professional. If you have a relationship with a particular shop, give them the last look, and make a decision as to how much their service and your peace of mind is worth.

 

My fronts are 225/70/15x5 and rears: 255/70/15x9 stock spring height. backspacing a bit less that i wish on back but I still love the look. rubs a tiny bit on bigger bumps but i am going with stiffer longer springs this weekend to cure it. Original spring are really worn.