jonm1a1

I have a 65 coupe w/ a 289 in it.
Really good stock tires i think like 14s
the question should i buy bigger rims and tires for it. I am about to take it on a 10 hour trip and not sure if those tires are good enough.
I am putting new rims already just not sure on a size that would be good.

fakesnakes

IMO, minimum of 16, preferably 17. There just aren't many tires in a 15 or smaller any more and your car will handle better. I have 17's on my 66 fastback and I think they fit the car well.

Gun Jam

I second the 17" because in future if you ever decide to get disc brakes upfront you can run the larger rotors + the benefit of having better tire choices. 17" wheels wont close any doors on you and allow for expandability in the future.

-Gun

rbrown22

stick with 15's.... bigger wheels take away for the car.. My opinion..

trashline

I myself am partial to smaller wheels. the one good thing about a larger wheel is you can fit a bigger back spacing along with wider rim. This allows you to get the rim lip over the ball joint.

Norm Peterson

I wish I could recommend a 15" tire, but unless you're willing to settle for mediocrity that's round/black/holds air there just isn't much. BFG g-Force Sports may be the best of what's left in the small wheel street tire sizes, and they simply can't compare to any of the better offerings in 17". Not even as good as some of the 15" tire makes/models that have gone out of production, if my own direct personal experience is worth anything.

I don't like being pushed up-size any more than some of the other respondents here, as I have at least two cars and a possible project or two that all started life with 15" or smaller. But it's either eat at the 17" dinner table or settle for the scraps that fell on the floor from the 15" high chair.


Norm

Gun Jam

Haha

Norm now that we are on the subject. I might as well ask a question I have had for a long time. I really plan to switch to 17" here in a while (a year maybe) The only thing I am concerned about is messing up my ride height.

Most stock mustangs have enough ground clearance to rival an s10 truck...I have worked on suspension enough to avoid this. Right now front height is 23" and rear is 24" measured from ground to fender arc apex.

Front tire is 195/60 14
Rear tire is 215/70 14

What would have to be done to maintain ride height with a 17" wheel? I'm guessing shelby drop up font and 50 or less series front tires?

Thanks

-Gun

Norm Peterson

195/60-14 is a little undersize anyway. The first 17" size that gets closer load capacity-wise without getting "huge" is 215/45, and you probably should get one that claims "XL", or extended load. You'll still need to run higher inflation pressures than the door sticker or owner manual calls for.

For the rear, 225/50-17 is about the same OD as what you have now. As it happens, both sizes are available in the Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3 lineup, although since they're directional you wouldn't even be able to rotate them side to side without breaking them down, flipping them inside to outside on the rims, and rebalancing.

Yes, I know the 215/45-17 is an inch or so taller than your current front tire . . .


Norm

Gun Jam

I would probably have to cut springs and Shelby drop then...hopefully I would have enough fender clearance.

-Gun

tx65coupe

I agree. I would not go bigger than 16. I have 15s on mine. The larger wheels are just too large for 65-68 Mustangs.