Tire size question. (Street tires on 2WD).

[Toad455]

I've searched to no avail so I'm asking here. I have a 78 2wd that I'm building. I've been to several shows here lately looking at tire size combinations on these trucks. I'm going back lowered about 2", no more. I like the 275-60-15 size the best of all the sizes I've seen. The 295-50-15 looks too short for my liking. My questions is: Is there a tire that's a little wider than the 275-60-15 without going too tall? I don't want mud tires either. Using online tire comparison calculators I like the sizes of 285-60-16, 295-55-16, but there is no such size that I can find without going with a mudder. I don't mind going with a 16" wheel since I don't have wheels yet, but even the 16's don't have the width (around 11-11.5") without going too tall. I'm looking for a tread width of 11-11.5 and a height of around 28-29". It looks like Hoosier or Mickey Thompson is the only tire larger than the 275-60-15. I know if the sizes aren't coming up they don't exist but I thought I'd ask anyhow. Thanks.

 

[Finkaire]

Hi, I am running 275/60/15’s all around.
I saw this moderately lowered truck with what I believe are 265/75/15’s
They appear to fill the wheelwells and kinda in my opinion, look proper.
Wadda ya think?
Post a picture of your truck, someone on here had 10” rallies that looked nice. The K models came with them but I believe they are 6 lug.

 

[Toad455]

Thanks for the info, I do like the 275-60-15 size. The 265-75-15 is a little more narrow. I'm looking at tiresize.com at the top of their site there's a "tire size comparison" chart. You can enter two tire sizes and view the dimensions and see the physical differences, not sure how accurate it is but it's cool. I'd like something wider but it's looking like that can't happen without going with a race tire.

 

[Rustisbest]

I've got Uniroyal 31x10.50 15 on the back of mine. They only measure 30" tall.
255/70 15 is almost identical but are actually a little bit wider on the tread. My nephews truck has that size.

 

[Ricko1966]

Thanks for the info, I do like the 275-60-15 size. The 265-75-15 is a little more narrow. I'm looking at tiresize.com at the top of their site there's a "tire size comparison" chart. You can enter two tire sizes and view the dimensions and see the physical differences, not sure how accurate it is but it's cool. I'd like something wider but it's looking like that can't happen without going with a race tire.

Tire size explanation for you a 275-60-15 is 275mm wide. The 60. the sidewall is 60 percent as tall as the tread is wide. 15 of coarse is the size rim it fits,from there it's just math. A wider 50 series will have same sidewall height as a narrower 60 series or a narrower yet 70 series. So if you want something wider than a 275,multiply 295 x.60 to get your sidewall height,multiply x.50 etc until you find the combination of width vs. sidewall that you desire. Example a 295 55r15 would be almost exact same sidewall as 275 60r15. 165 mm sidewall vs.162.25 mm sidewall.

 

[Rustisbest]

The numbers have never matched up for me to what they're supposed to be. Almost always an inch short and narrower when mounted

 

[Ricko1966]

The numbers have never matched up for me to what they're supposed to be. Almost always an inch short and narrower when mounted

It's just like buying clothes or shoes the manufacturers aren't great about staying 100 percent true to the numbers but they'll be in the ball park.I just bought some Dickies,same size as my Levis,but the Dickies are a little smaller.

 

[Rustisbest]

It's just like buying clothes or shoes the manufacturers aren't great about staying 100 percent true to the numbers but they'll be in the ball park.I just bought some Dickies,same size as my Levis,but the Dickies are a little smaller.

Exactly. And I dont own a metric tape measure lol

 

[xm20k]

A lot of stores Summit for instance will also list height and width in tread and section/overall width in imperial.

Just like our bolt pattern 5 on 5 is also 5x127mm so if looking for rims keep that in mind as it may give you more options.

 

[bucket]

There are a few oddball sizes that are a bit wider than a 275 without being much taller. Unfortunately, I do not remember the specific brands, models or even sizes. I was looking into it about a year ago.

Summit Racing's search is pretty useful for this. That's what I had used for my research.

 

[Ricko1966]

I've searched to no avail so I'm asking here. I have a 78 2wd that I'm building. I've been to several shows here lately looking at tire size combinations on these trucks. I'm going back lowered about 2", no more. I like the 275-60-15 size the best of all the sizes I've seen. The 295-50-15 looks too short for my liking. My questions is: Is there a tire that's a little wider than the 275-60-15 without going too tall? I don't want mud tires either. Using online tire comparison calculators I like the sizes of 285-60-16, 295-55-16, but there is no such size that I can find without going with a mudder. I don't mind going with a 16" wheel since I don't have wheels yet, but even the 16's don't have the width (around 11-11.5") without going too tall. I'm looking for a tread width of 11-11.5 and a height of around 28-29". It looks like Hoosier or Mickey Thompson is the only tire larger than the 275-60-15. I know if the sizes aren't coming up they don't exist but I thought I'd ask anyhow. Thanks.

Here's some measurements for you.

 

[xm20k]

You can use this to compare sizes or find a size in metric that is close to what you measure in inches.

Tire Size Calculator

The best tire size calculator. Use our tire size calculator to find tire size specs and suggested tire sizes. Then check prices for all available tire sizes.

tiresize.com

 

[Rustisbest]

You can use this to compare sizes or find a size in metric that is close to what you measure in inches.

Tire Size Calculator

The best tire size calculator. Use our tire size calculator to find tire size specs and suggested tire sizes. Then check prices for all available tire sizes.

tiresize.com

Post 3. He's using it already which is why I posted that the measurements on paper/or a calculator dont always equal what they really are.

 

[Toad455]

I've got Uniroyal 31x10.50 15 on the back of mine. They only measure 30" tall.
255/70 15 is almost identical but are actually a little bit wider on the tread. My nephews truck has that size.

Thanks, I plugged the 255- 70- 15 in the comparison chart next to the 275- 60-15, it's a tad more narrow but an inch taller, may fill in the wheel well a little better.

 

[Toad455]

The numbers have never matched up for me to what they're supposed to be. Almost always an inch short and narrower when mounted

Right, makes it even harder to decide.