'65 Valiant. Will 15x7 wheels, 205/60/15 tires fit?

[phogroian]

Seeing the limited options and high prices I will encounter putting new P185/80/13 tires on the tiny, stock 13" wheels, I'm now thinking of getting the repro Rallye wheels in the 5 in.x 7 in., 5 x 4 in. Bolt Circle, 4.25 in. backspace size.

1) Would a 195/70/15 tire be nice for this, or would it be too narrow for the rim?
2) Would a 205/70/15 be too big for the wheel well?

I want some decent height to the tires, but don't want them to be too wide.
I could get the 14"x6" Rallye wheels, but fugured that I'd have more options with the 15 inch tires, as they are more prevalent these days.
What are you running/recommend?

 

[grimreaper]

Your existing 185/80R13s are about 24.6 diameter. 195/70R15 are about 25.8. 205/70R15 are 26.3. If you want a similar diameter consider 195/60r15 at 24.2 dia, 205.60r15 at 24.7 dia and 215/60R15 at 25.2 dia. I sent you a link to a handy wheel and tire size comparator via PM.

 

[Rockerdude]

205's should fit! I had 235's on the back of my 65 Dart Gt years ago, and a set of 205's on the front. 205's fit a 7 inch wheel just fine.

 

[Slantvaliant]

I have 205-60R15's on 15x7 (+13mm offset, around 4 1/2" backspace) rims on my '64 Valiant. I've had no problems with rubbing, and I think they look good enough. It's a lot more tire than the car came with, and that's a good thing!



Looking up in the rear fenderwell:

 

[phogroian]

Thanks for the rimsntires.com link, grimreaper! I'd actually prefer a modest boost in tire height... IF the wheel well will acommodate it with no issues.

It looks as if the modern radial equivalent to the original 6x13 bias tires is P185/80/R13.
I'm liking the vast number of affordable tire options in the 205/70/15 size. The difference would be:

Tire............. Overall Width.......... Height
P185/80/13... 185mm (7.3'')......... 24.6 "
P205/70/15... 205 mm (8.1'')........ 26.6"
The backspacing on the 15/7 is 4.25"; I don't know the backspacing on the stock one- it may be 3 1/2".

Is anyone running P205/70/15 tires on the narrow A bodies without problems? Or should I bump it down to 65 or 60 for the height ratio?

Edit: Slantvaliant, I just saw your post. Those 60s are looking big enough... maybe I should limit my search to 65 in height, tops.

 

[lou3500]

1966 Barracuda 245/60/14 rear / 235/60/14 front no modifications [except lowered 3 rear/2 front] repop ralley 14x6 front/14x7 rear.

 

[lilcuda]

I have 15 x 7 cop car wheels on mine with 215-60R15 tires. This photo doesn't show how much room there is, but there is plenty. I could probably go another 2 inches inboard on the rear for sure, maybe another inch or so on the front. Let me know if you want more detailed pictures.

 

[armyofchuckness]

Hey, LilCuda, what rear axle do you have on yours? I really want to do cop wheels on my '64, but I've been told they won't fit with the A-body 8 3/4. Has anyone done this successfully?

 

[lilcuda]

Hey, LilCuda, what rear axle do you have on yours? I really want to do cop wheels on my '64, but I've been told they won't fit with the A-body 8 3/4. Has anyone done this successfully?

It has an A-body 8 3/4 out of a 67 Dart. I had C-body axles shortened and resplined by Moser to get the big bolt pattern. I was concerned about clearance as well, but I have no problems.

 

[armyofchuckness]

That is some of the best news I've heard all year. The 8.75 going into mine is from a '71 Scamp, so I'd imagine they're virtually identical. I've already got the Moser axles to convert it too. Thanks, Lee!

 

[Gib Warnick]

205's should fit! I had 235's on the back of my 65 Dart Gt years ago, and a set of 205's on the front. 205's fit a 7 inch wheel just fine.

Do wagons have a larger rear wheel opening than hardtop/ragtop?

 

[65 Dartman]

Looking at my 65 Barracuda and 65 Dart vs the 65 Dart wagon, it looks like the wagon has the larger wheel well. Just a visual observation

 

[Darter6]

Stockton Wheel made these. 15x7 with a 4 1/4 backspace small bolt pattern, 205/60/15 front 215/60/15 rear. Had to trim the front lower corner of the front fenders that rubbed while turning.Rears only would rub the outer inner fender with 4 people in the car while making sharp turns. the Valiant is a 63, stock suspension

 

[Johnny Dart]

Seeing the limited options and high prices I will encounter putting new P185/80/13 tires on the tiny, stock 13" wheels, I'm now thinking of getting the repro Rallye wheels in the 5 in.x 7 in., 5 x 4 in. Bolt Circle, 4.25 in. backspace size.

1) Would a 195/70/15 tire be nice for this, or would it be too narrow for the rim?
2) Would a 205/70/15 be too big for the wheel well?

I want some decent height to the tires, but don't want them to be too wide.
I could get the 14"x6" Rallye wheels, but fugured that I'd have more options with the 15 inch tires, as they are more prevalent these days.
What are you running/recommend?

If you haven't noticed yet,use a 70 series for 14" wheels,and a 60 series for a 15" wheel.
Factory Rallye wheels are 14"x5.5" Put a 205/70 or 215/70-14 on there and your styling.
For a 15" wheel,just go to a 60 series. 205/60-15 215/60-15.
On my 65 Dart,I run 215/70-14 all around on a factory 14"x5.5" steel wheel.

 

[phogroian]

Those Stockton wheels look great on that '63 Valiant! Very tasteful styling. Larger wheels, better tire options and classic good looks that work well with the original car. That's what I'm looking for!
So 205/60/15 for a 15" tire, or 205/70-14 for the 14" Rallyes look good to me on my otherwise stock narrow-body Valiants.

 

[Darter6]

A few more shots at different angles. Just so you know Stockton did great work but are not cheap.10 years ago the cost was $200 each and with shipping just shy of a grand for the four wheels.Do some shopping.

 

[rgp266]

Bought my '65 Valiant with 8X15 cop car repops, 4.5" back spacing with 195/60's all around. Put 215/60 Tires on the rear with no problems. 225's will fit as equipped but if I want to step up to 235's on these rims I'm going to need to move the springs in a half inch. I think the 215's would be good on the front but on the 7"/4.25 back space wheels, not the 8" wheels.
Bob

 

[lilcuda]

That is some of the best news I've heard all year. The 8.75 going into mine is from a '71 Scamp, so I'd imagine they're virtually identical. I've already got the Moser axles to convert it too. Thanks, Lee!

You're welcome.

 

[armyofchuckness]

Stockton Wheel made these. 15x7 with a 4 1/4 backspace small bolt pattern, 205/60/15 front 215/60/15 rear. Had to trim the front lower corner of the front fenders that rubbed while turning.Rears only would rub the outer inner fender with 4 people in the car while making sharp turns. the Valiant is a 63, stock suspension

Any chance you could show some detail on how you trimmed the front fender? I'll be patching my fenders this week, so I may just preemptively give them a clip while I'm under there.

Thanks!

 

[RustyRatRod]

If you use the SS springs and the MP offset shackles and hangers you can fit 15x 9.5 Center Line auto drags on with 28/11.50/15 ET Streets on it. Ask me how I know.

 

[Darter6]

I no longer have that car but I will take a few photos of the 64 Dart that I'm working on now.Did the same to it.Will try to get them posted by Wendsday.

 

[armyofchuckness]

Thanks!

 

[Darter6]

The photos didn't turn out very well but I think you will get the idea. I took off about 1 1/2 inches from the lower part of the fender that kinda rolls and hooks toward the tire. Then rolled the lip in .The wheels and tires that I'm gonna use are 26'' tall on a 4'' rim with a 1 3/4'' back space.

 

[armyofchuckness]

That's very helpful. Thanks so much! We're gonna start working on the driver's fender tomorrow. I'll be sure to document it on my build thread.

 

[66lazysusan]

I have 15 x 7 cop car wheels on mine with 215-60R15 tires. This photo doesn't show how much room there is, but there is plenty. I could probably go another 2 inches inboard on the rear for sure, maybe another inch or so on the front. Let me know if you want more detailed pictures.

I would love some pics. What back spacing?