Best tire fit for a 1960 Burb

[KIC]

I am wondering what size radial tire is best, and fits the best, for my 60 Burb. It used to have the typical taller bias ply type tires. I will have the original 16-inch rims and want the tallest and widest "normal" looking tires I can put on it. I don't want it to hit the inside of the fender well when turning. I am using the stock suspension.

Just wondering what other owners of stock Burbs have found to be the best stock 16-inch tires that look healthy and work on the burb, front and back.

[61ChevyPanel]

Mine uses 15 x 8.5 Riken wheels with 265/50 series tires. I can't lower the rear at all unless I get wheels with a bigger offset. If you're going to keep the stock ride height, I'd think you'd need to narrow the rear end or deep offset wheels to get anything bigger on the back.

[KIC]

Since mine is stock, I would like to keep with the original 16-inch, and I don't think I could find a full set of original style 15-inch that would take the original hubcaps.

Once it is painted I will get a set of used tires for rollers while putting it back together, but what I put on it for the road is still up in the air.

Originally Posted by 61ChevyPanel

Mine uses 15 x 8.5 Riken wheels with 265/50 series tires. I can't lower the rear at all unless I get wheels with a bigger offset. If you're going to keep the stock ride height, I'd think you'd need to narrow the rear end or deep offset wheels to get anything bigger on the back.

[KIC]

Okay, so I screwed up. Everything in the last post is correct except that I have the original 15-inch rims, not 16-inch. Being TDY for 4 months made my memory incorrect.

The original tires that came on the Burb were 7.10 X 15 6ply.

So I did some research. I want to get the biggest stock looking tire possible. I know there is a big difference in ride between a bias ply and a radial on these tanks.

So……..

Tire width is the width of the tire measured in millimeters from sidewall to sidewall. The first three-digit number in the tire size refers to the tire width in millimeters . For example a 215/65 R15 tire, the width is 215 millimeters. Aspect Ratio is the ratio of the height of the tire's cross-section to its width. Obviously the R is for radial.
A metric tire's section width is measured in millimeters. This measurement is taken from sidewall to sidewall.

Aspect Ratio - "65" This number refers to the height of the sidewall. It is a percentage of the section width. For example, 65 percent of the section width of 205mm (8.07inches wide) equals 133.25mm, this converts to a sidewall height of 5.25 inches. So I made the following charts:

205mm = 8.07 wide 65 = 133.25mm = 5.25 height
210mm = 8.27 wide 65 = 136.5mm = 5.37 height
215mm = 8.46 wide 65 = 139.75mm = 5.50 height
220mm= 8.66 wide 65 = 143mm = 5.63 height
225mm= 8.86 wide 65 = 146.25mm = 5.76 height
230mm= 9.05 wide 65 = 149.50mm =5.88 height
235mm= 9.25 wide 65 =153.75mm = 6.05 height

205mm = 8.07 wide 70= 143.5mm = 5.25 height
210mm = 8.27 wide 70 = 147mm = 5.79 height
215mm = 8.46 wide 70 = 150.5mm = 5.93 height
220mm= 8.66 wide 70 = 154mm = 6.06 height
225mm= 8.86 wide 70 = 157.5mm = 6.2 height
230mm= 9.05 wide 70 = 161mm =6.34 height
235mm= 9.25 wide 70 =164.5mm = 6.48 height
205mm = 8.07 wide 70= 143.5mm = 5.25 height
210mm = 8.27 wide 70 = 147mm = 5.79 height

215mm = 8.46 wide 75 = 161.25mm = 6.35 height
220mm= 8.66 wide 75 = 165mm = 6.5 height
225mm= 8.86 wide 75 = 168.75mm = 6.64 height
230mm= 9.05 wide 75= 172.5mm =6.79 height
235mm= 9.25 wide 75 =176.25mm = 6.94 height


However, it seems the the 75 is a taller tire and fills up the wheelwell better.

The fitment issue is in the "235" size that may need or require a minimum 6-inch rim and I believe the stock 15-inch is 5.5-inches wide. There has been some who have successfully used 235’s on 5.5-inch rims.

One tire that was suggested is the Primewell PS850 but it is only a 4-ply tire.

Also, the Yokohama RY215 7.00R15 D is suggested but is a commercial all position tire that is designed for light to medium duty commercial applications. This is an 8-ply tire that will have a rough ride and run about $170.00 each. The Yokohama is 29.4" tall and the P235's are 28.9" tall.

A P205/75R15 is 27.2" tall

What I hope to do is decide on a size, buy a used set for rollers while putting the tank back together and then buying new tires when it is road ready.

A picture of the RY215 7.00R15 D is below:

[MusicMan70]

Here is my 61 with the Yokohama's on 15 x 5 wheels. I felt they rode fine on stock suspension and shocks with only lowering blocks (2") and torsion bars slightly turned down.
Prior to this I had 235 x 70 x 16's and those rode nicely too, but I used spacers for late model truck wheels.
I tried 215 x 75 x 15's but they were too short. I wanted the skinny tire factory look. Here are some tire compare pics

[sodly]

I've got the Yokos on both of my trucks (one 15" and one 16") and like them. They're about the only correct looking new radial tire out there anymore for these trucks.

[KIC]

Thanks Sodly and MusicMan70 that is exactly what I am looking for.

[1966burb]

I spent way too much time over thinking the tire thing about 6 months ago for my 1966 burb. Did not want COKERS or ?? Took the advice of "60-66" on forum and purchased the YOKOHOMA RADIAL 215 7.00R15LT. They have the height I wanted, "pie crust" edge on sidewall and old school looking tread. They ride great and perform great!!! Go Yoko!

[Brad54]

Hard to see, but the ones in my avatar are 235/75/15.

When the truck was stock-height, they did a pretty good job of filling the wheel well.
I had them on stock 15-inch wheels for a while. The rear 5-slots are wider than the stockers, but they still clear the fender lip.

-Brad

[The_Hub]

Don't remember my exact numbers but I can get them if you'd like.

[KIC]

Originally Posted by The_Hub

Don't remember my exact numbers but I can get them if you'd like.

I would be interested in what you have on there and if your suspension is stock. I read your build thread. looks great !

[65chevysub]

I'm running 235/75R15 Dextero tires from Walmart on my 65 Suburban, with stock suspension. They were cheap and they ride smooth.

[The_Hub]

My suspension is stock. I'm running 255/50R15 Cooper Cobras. Everything clears just fine as well.