Thread: Big and Littles

Tweet

I know this is a mostly a matter of personal preference but if you were building a open wheel rod what size tires and wheels would you use.

Go to http://www.clubhotrod.com/forums/sho...871#post161871

You'll see a couple of roadsters in the photos.
Both with 4" dropped axles.

The black 32 has 195/70R-14's in front and 285/70R - 15's in back.
5 1/2" wide front wheels and 10" wide rear wheels.

The red oxide primered 31 on 32 rails one has 165/80R-15's in front and 235/75R-15's in back.
5" steel wheels in front and 6" steel wheels in back.

To me these narrow radials have the flavor of a skinny bias-ply, but handle better.
Some bias guys argue about that and they're right in that they don't look exactly like bias-plies.
Then again, I'd rather drive the car than hassle with all the probs the re-pro bias tires seem to have.

Depends on the look you want, and what the primary use is going to be. My Ranchero has 15 X15 rear and 15 X 3 1/2 fronts. My last roadster had 15 X10 rears and 14 X 6 fronts. Style and size really depends on what you like balanced out with what will work correctly and safely.

Thanks for the replies. I was thinking of a roadster that would handle and stop well so I guess a well-balanced car but with the big and little look.

I'm with C9x on this one. My '32 has P195/70R 15's on the front and P285/70R 15's on the back. I considered 17 inch rims on the rear, and I think I would like the look of those as well but I did not want to pop for the added expense. It rides and drives great. I tried bias plys on first rod, but I would never use bias ply tires on a street rod driver again. It was night and day difference in ride and handling when I switched it over to radials. If I was building a 50's style highboy that was period correct, bias plys would be on it. But I would not be driving it 400 miles to the Street Rod Nationals either. My back and butt could not take it.

I'm in the camp with rumrumm et. al. on this one.

Building an open 4 wheel IS car I wanted some good traction. But I also wanted the nasty look.

After 6 mos of flip flopping I wound up with (for now) TA's, 285/70R15's on the back and 205/60R15's on the front. My front end is also dropped a couple inches ...........

Regards, Kitz