tire size?

[sixbangr]

just bought a '61 short step. I am debating between 235/75 and 225/75 and 215/75. Any issues with any of them?

[geezer#99]

Here's mine with 225's. They 215's are about 1/2 inch shorter and the 235's are a 1/2 inch taller. These are on my stock 5.5 inch wide rims. Some say the 235's are to wide for the stock rims.

[NCD1966]

going buy some 225/75/15 for rear and 215/70/15 for the stock steelies tonight. I was thinking of also going 235 but like geezer said maybe a tad wide

[jocko]

am in the midst of the same decision. here's what I've found - most tech manuals list the 225 and 235 as needing a 6 inch or wider rim. From what I can tell talking to local mechs that install tires for a living - 225s are NO problem on the stock 5.5 inch rim (inside measurement, the one they go by - and as we can see they haven't fallen off geezer's nice truck, so they must be good!). As for 235s, I've gotten some shoulder shrugs, but one guy swears it's no problem. I'm probably going to paint my rims, and take them in to get them mounted - if the guy can put the 235s on them, that's what I'll go with. If he can't I'll go with 225s. But in all cases, I'm going with the 75 profile - taller tire helps fill up the big wheelwells better in my opinion - also gets top of the rear tire "under" the wheel well better, i think looks better than just a little saucer all by itself lost in the wheelwell.

What I've REALLY had trouble with is finding a dual-blackwall tire in those sizes. I prefer the blackwall to WW or RWL, and not a fan of just putting the whitewall to the inside - so leaves only a few choices. Have been searching quite a bit, a couple candidates in mind.

Anyway - good luck, look fwd to some pics when you get them on!
My vote is 235/75s if they fit, 225/75s if want to be certain you're on the safe side. I do think you can "get away" with a slightly wider than recommended tire when you go with the 75 series (vice a 70, or 60, etc) because the taller relative sidewall allows for a little more lateral flex.

my 2 cents. Whew, I got windy.

[NCD1966]

well just mounted 225/75/15s no problem. I didnt even need the tire machine to put them on. Now i just have to get them balanced. I have a tire machine but no balancer yet.

[TR65]

The approved rim width for P225/75R15 and P235/75R15 is minimum 6".
The P215/75R15 minimum is 5-1/2".
That is by the Tire and Rim Association, the trade group that manages tire standards in the US.

Doesn't mean they can't be mounted on narrower rims, I'm just saying ....

My vote is the P235, they look good and lower the effective gearing.

TR

[blackedoutharley]

Originally Posted by jocko

What I've REALLY had trouble with is finding a dual-blackwall tire in those sizes.

http://www.starfiretires.com/FI_Uplo...0Offerings.pdf

SF340 is a blackwall on both sides.

[astrochimp]

Watch out for the white letter on one side tires.

We used to just put the white letter in, but the continentals I got for my truck have a inside and outside, so I had to have WOL out. Sparpy will fix it.

[sixbangr]

Discount Tire had no issues putting on the 235/75's today.

[jocko]

thanks sixbanger, that's good news for me. I may try to find some tires this weekend at Carlisle (just lookin) and knowing you didn't have any issues is enough to put me over the edge and get 235s vice 225s without actually having the rims in my pocket so the dealer can try to install them on the spot - if I find what I want, I'll buy them without any worries!

Thanks again folks, very much appreciated - appreciate all the help.
jocko