Does anyone know what the largest widest tire I can put on my 69 vista cruiser, using the stock 14 inch rims. He car has a new set of 70s bias ply tires, although not dry rotted at all, I’m gonna use em just for a short distance test runs before I replace them. But would like a much bigger and wider tire.

 

If I were you, I would call up your usual tire or repair shop in your area & tell them what you are trying to do. THEY can mount 2 larger tires on the front & rear to ck for fitment without driving, just set it on the ground & turn the wheels to ck for any clearance problems. . This way you can go up or down a size. As long as the car is not driven the tires can be put back in stock, we do this for a few of our customers. GOOD LUCK !!

 

There is not much of a choice for tires using 14" wheels. If you are wanting bigger tires I suggest going to a 15" wheel.

 

OEM tires on a 1969 Vista were 8.55x14, which were 27.96" outside diameter with an 8.50" section width.

Unless you plan to buy very expensive Coker repro bias ply tires, there are very few choices available for 14" wheels. The widest commonly available 14" tire today is 245/60-14. Unfortunately this is also a Honda-sized 25.6" outside diameter (nearly 2.5" shorter!) with a 9.65" section width. These will be lost in the fender wells. You can also get 225/70-14s, which are still only 25.4" outside diameter with an 8.86" section width. I have 245/60-15s on my 69 flattop wagon. Obviously I had to get new 15x7 steel wheels, which was a lot more difficult than it should have been. These are still a little short at 26.57" outside diameter with 9.65" section. 235/70-15s are nearly the same OD and section as the original tires.

 

Regardless, if the current tires are more than ten tears old, you should severely limit your driving time on them and stay off the freeway. They may be dangerous.

 

Thanks

 

I’m live very rural, I’ll just use them for a quick 4 mile or so, systems test drive. Besides their ugly lol 😂

 

Thanks, my dad who owned the car ran 15in rims, why he switched back I do not know, would switching back to the 15s help with tha bigger look I’m after.

 

Post 3

 

👍

Furbody without a doubt 15s are the way to go, (back).

Here is beautiful 69 Vista with 225 70 15s all around, looks great !

And there are 116 pictures so you can see how great it looks from every conceivable angle. Thanks to Bring A Trailer.

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/19...sta-cruiser-2/

As Joe P mentioned the 235 70 15s will fill out the rear even better...

But this look is best achieved with BF Goodrich Radial T/As, Cooper Cobras seem to taper a bit more from sidewall to thread. In other words T/As look fuller even when identical size... I've had both over the years, T/As look better. T/As also weigh 3 lbs more than Cobras... I settled for Cobras because the weight reduction was more important to me.

 

My 1970 VC has the same tire room as your 1969 version.

I have 255/60/15s on the front on 15 x 7 wheels. I have to be careful when turning sharply to go very slow if there are bumps, otherwise the tread rubs on the fender and tries to bend the wheel molding edge. Stay a bit smaller if you can stand it.

The rear has 275/60/15s on 15 x 8s. There's still about an inch of clearance to the fender. Wider wheels are needed if you want to step up in size.

 

BF Goodrich Radial T/A


Cooper Cobra Radial G/T

 

Thanks, I’m gonna eventually replace the tires and rims and will go back to the 15s my dad had on it, do not know why he switched back to her oem rims.

 

Diamondback in Conway, SC has some 14 inch options, including redlines, that are not so expensive.

 

Also Post 4 with actual dimensions and tire sizes.

 

I guess we have different definitions of "not so expensive". In any case, the tallest they have are the readily available 225/70-14s.

 

Coker sells an 800x14 radial that runs about $370 apiece. These have an OD of 27.59". They also have a 235/75-14 with wide whitewalls that is 27.90" OD for $435 each, 235/75-14 with 1" whitewall for $443 each, and exact match 8.55x14 bias ply with 5/8" whitewall for $377 each.

 

Could I solicit comments on the 14x6 vs 14x7 wheel vs tires? 225x70xr14 is good for 14x7, but is it too fat for 14x6? I forget what I put on my 442 20 years ago.

 

You can run the 225's on a 14x6 wheel. Cooper recommends a 6-7.5" wheel width.

 

While true. My 2022 vehicle tires are 556.00 each, So a 300.00 tire is at least cheaper. At least the BFG's for the 75 will only be 136-150 each.
So for those with newer dailies, a 300 buck tire might seem quite affordable.

 

Yet another reason why the newest car I own is 40 years old...

 

I'd love to be able to do that. but I need to get to work and can't be waiting on parts. 35k a year on the daily, that be a tall order for a 50 y/o vehicle and not need parts that you just can't walk into a parts store and grab and be back on the road that day or the next. I do drive the 75 to work at times, not this season because it needs tires and other things.
I laughed at the tire store when they told me the cost for one. I thought they were joking.

 

The current tires are brand new 215/75/b14s lol from 1980. No dry rot. I’d like to move up to 235/60/r14 if possible.

 

That’s my question, the current tires are 215/75/b14. Yes that’s a b bias ply from 1980. Brand new and no dry rot. But I’d like 235/225 60 r14 if that’s even possible on my 14 in rims

 

Start looking online for a tire thats as tall or slightly taller than the OEM tires. The taller and bigger tires will have more tread width and section width. Then start looking for 225/235 X 70 or 75 X 14 white walls is a good place to start. When you find a couple different tires, go to a tire dealer that will work with you and he can order and mount the tires.

 

235-60s are extremely short. I used 235-60-15s on the front but had 255-60-15s on the rear. The short, wide fronts were great for handling control but I would not use a tire that short on the rear. When I had 14” wheels, I used 245-60-14 on front and rear.

 

Both of those tires will work on a 14 x 7 but it will look funny on your vehicle. Because they are way too short.

This is for BF Goodrich Radial T/As



Tire Rack is an excellent site and they carry all brands, and as you can see they are very thorough with the information.

 

You are going to be hard pressed to get modern 14s that match factory spec.

According to Coker tires conversion chart the recommended modern equivalent sizes are 225 75 14 and 235 70 14. But while searching for those sizes the hits are coming back as trailer tires... Essentially 14s are being phased out, slowly but surely... Except for specialty tire shops like Coker etc. Coker has your factory correct bias ply tire. Its 28.1 inches in diameter and recommended to be installed on a 14 x 5.5 - 6 inch rim width maximum. $400 a pop.

Without doing a deep search, Cooper Cobra Radial G/T All Season P225 70 14 98T are coming up as a possible equivalent. But they are 26.3 inches in diameter. Rim width range 6 - 7.5 inches. $150 a pop.

 

FWIW, my '65 is on 15" Cragars, BFG 215/65R15 in front, 235/60R15 in rear. Rides well and, IMO, looks great!

 

That solves that. Thanks.

 

This is 14x7 SSIIs with Cooper Cobras 225/70 R14 as of a week ago. I wouldn't mind slightly wider. The 70 series tire is good for that width. 235/60 might be ok.

 

I have 225/70's on 14x6 steelies on my '66 F-85 4-4-2, and like 'em!

 

John,

My car had 246-60-14s front and rear for 20+ years before I got 15” SS wheels. I think 235-60s are too short, especially on the rear. Up front for shorter sidewall for handling would be OK.

Pay no attention to the tread in the second picture - it’s to show the 245 width on the 7” wheel.

 

Ken that might be a good idea for the next set on the 72. The 60s Olds are on the 6 inchers and won't fly, but 225 70 tires are 157.5 tall, and 245 60s are 147 tall, so 26.4 inch vs 25.6 inch tall. And that's about it for around that size.