Best tire size for 15 x 7 rally wheels on a 1968 GS400?

Hi Guys,

I'm upgrading from 14 x 6 dog dish wheels to 15 x 7 rally wheels on my 1968 GS400 (with 455 engine) and need some advice on tire size.

I've seen some go with P275/60 R15 size, usually with BF Goodrich Radial T/A tires. Would these tires fit okay on a 1968 GS400 with 15 x 7 rally wheels all around (4" backspacing, I think) without rubbing underneath or other such issues?

I was thinking of going with that size, too. What do you think?

Also, what do you think of Cooper Cobra G/T tires with a 107T speed rating instead of the BFGs? Reviews seem to indicate they are decent tires?

I won't be doing any real racing or high-speed stuff, but would like a decent, safe ride if I do decide to have some fun with it!

Looking forward to your feedback!

Thanks in advance!

 

I like BFGs. 245/60/15 is about as wide as you can go on a 7" rim without the sidewall being 'cone' shaped. Even with an 8" wide wheel, a255/60 is about the maximum for the rear of a stepchild. I put 245s on my '68, and I based that upon learning that size is almost exactly the same as a G60-15 like the 70 Xs and optioned up GSs wore. I looked at a lot of cars before deciding that 235-245 /60 are the way to go. My opinion, anyway.
Patrick

 

Hi Guys,

Thanks so much for the quick replies! I found a photo of 275/60s on a 7" rim and it looks pretty oversized, so I think I'll go with P235/60 R15s all around.

By the way, anyone have any experience with rims4less.com in Las Vegas, NV?
They have very good prices for Cooper Cobra Radial G/Ts (approx. $60), but the prices seem almost too good to be true.
Reviews online seems to indicate it's a scam, or at least their outfit in Glendale, CA was, as the negative reviews were mostly from 2010-2011.

That said, the dodgy outfit may simply have moved from Glendale, CA to Las Vegas, NV, so I thought I'd check with you guys and see if anyone here has had a positive (or negative) experience with them.

If it's scam, it would be a pity, because they have GREAT prices ... even for BF Goodrich Radial T/As (approx. $140).

Anyway, looking forward to your feedback about tire sizes as well as any places where you could recommend purchasing tires ... and places to avoid!

As always, thanks in advance!

 

Try the Tire Rack....for tires.

 

It seems I may have answered my own question with regard to whether rims4less.com is legit or a fraud.

After a little more searching, it seems that it falls into the fraud category. I found a link here (http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/76...-tires/455769-who-has-used-rims4less-com.html) from 2012 describing how a guy took one of their ads into a Discount Tire store for a price match. The Discount Tire store confirmed that rims4less.com is a fraud.

Also check their history on the BBB page for Las Vegas, NV, and you get a grade of F with recent complaints in March and even July 2013 (http://www.bbb.org/southern-nevada/...ss-in-las-vegas-nv-80372/complaints#breakdown).

Looks like I'll go with P235/60 R15 Cooper Cobra Radial G/Ts from www.discounttiredirect.com, as they have them for about $95 each with free shipping and no sales tax -- and a $50 web discount to boot (though only through 20 Aug 2013)!

I ended up choosing 235 instead of the 245, as I don't want to risk any possible rubbing or bottoming out if I decide to load the car up with the family (+ dog) in the back seat and more stuff in the trunk for some weekend cruising, etc.!

Anyway, thanks for all your input guys! I really appreciate it!

 

there is no issue with diameter .. its how close the width gets to the outside of the wheelwell of the "built-in" skirts of 68/69s

 

Thanks again for the input guys.

Will I be okay if I go with the P245/60R-15s not hitting the wheel wells (or "built-in skirts") if I've got them on 15 x 7s with 4.5" backspacing?

Again, these tires are for a 1968 GS400 (not the 1970s GSs with more room in the wheel wells).

Thanks in advance and looking forward to your replies! I really appreciate it!

 

I put the 15"X7" rallies on my Skylark with P245/60R15 B.F. Goodrich T/As. I think if I ever do it again (I'll probably not drive it far enough to wear the tires out in my lifetime), I'll use P235/60R15s. The 245s just look too big.

 

You should be fine. I'm running 255/60/15s on the back of my 68. I've got about 3/4 of an inch to the inside lip on both sides and neither are trimmed back. I would say you should be fine. Perhaps measure that distance first, as all of these cars sit a bit differently on the frame, meaning it could be off to one side or the other, causing a fitment issue. That said, a 245 really shouldn't give you any trouble.

 

235/70/15 front & 275/60/15 rear . With a tight suspention & the big swaybars the 68-69 handle nice .stock rim or 5 inch rear wheel back spacing .

 

Hmmmm. Some find that the 235s look a bit small in the wheel well while others feel the 245s look a bit too big. This is getting confusing ...

I want my car to have the handling and benefits of the wider wheels, but don't want to over-do it, and I certainly don't want tire-rubbing problems, so I'm open to input on whether the 245/60R 15s would look (or be?) too big or whether the 235/60R 15s would look too small in the wheel well.

Again, we're talking the 1968 GS400, not the 1970s GSs with the larger wheel wells. What do you think?

Is there any chance someone could post some photos of their (or any other) '68 GS400 with either 235s and/or 245s in order to compare tire sizes?

I've been searching the forum for photos of these tires on a 1968 GS, but haven't had much luck, so it would sure be a HUGE help if we could get some photos posted!

Thanks!

 

I would not go any smaller than 255 60 on the back. I have them on my 70 on stock 15 by 7 and they look good. BFG's at that.
with that as a rear, I'd go 245 60 front or 215 70 front.

 

I don't know how to post pics but PM me a phone number and I can text you 245/60/15 pics on a '68.
Patrick