Tire size question 1986 gt hatchback

[B0udreaux]

Sorry, I’m sure this has been answered on other ppls threads, but I searched the forums and didn’t find an answer, so here it is:

I have a 1986 gt hatchback with stock 15 inch rims.

The tires on there currently are 225/60/15s

The sticker on the inside of my passenger door that shows tire sizes that I can use is unreadable.

The tires I’m looking at (cooper cobra GT) seem to not be available in that size.

I see 235/60/15 and 225/70/15 and 225/50/15…

Would any/all of these work?

It isn’t clear to me if my rims are 7’ or 9’ wide…I seem to see both are possible, though I assume they are 7’ wide.

What’s the widest tire I can use without modifying my fenders? Ideally I’d like slightly fatter rears but my research has been inconclusive as to what to safely get.

Another q:
How will 225/50/15’s ride compared to 225/70/15’s? Will I even feel a difference, or is it an aesthetic choice? Will either or both fit?…

 

[Noobz347]

The 235/60/R15s fit perfect on an 86 with the factory 10-holes.

The 235 will give you the widest contact patch and begins to look right on a Fox. The stock wheel is 8 inches wide.



And then... this happened:

https://lmr.com/item/LRS-149793AK/mustang-4-lug-10-hole-wheel-kit-17x8-9-machined-79-93

And the villagers rejoiced.



They have them in 5-Lug too.

 

[KRUISR]

The stock 10 hole rim on an 85-93 foxbody was a 15x7. Stock size tire was 225/60/15 (unfortuately I don't think many tire companies make this size anymore). If keeping the stock wheel, the 235/60/15 is probably the closest you can get.

The aftermarket does make a 15x9 and 17x8/9 available at LMR. Some have had the stock wheels modified to 15x10 or as small as 15x3 or 4.

 

[Noobz347]

85-93 foxbody was a 15x7

Correct. My mistake.

 

[B0udreaux]

thank y'all sooo much. I did a ton of reading and web surfing and couldn't get a definitive answer. Tire shops around here don't have the specific knowledge that you guys do!

 

[Mustang5L5]

A general rule of thumb (but not a hard one) is to target a tire size that is 2" wider than the rim size.

So a 7" wide rim would be 228mm (9") of tire, which is why the OEM size is a 225. You can usually stick pretty close to this so I wouldn't go beyond a 235 or you start getting too much sidewall bulge and flex.

A 235/55 would be just a tiny bit shorter than stock, which might be good if you are lowering the car. A 235/60 is 26.1" in OD. Works out back, but might be tight in the front if you are lowered.

 

[B0udreaux]

A general rule of thumb (but not a hard one) is to target a tire size that is 2" wider than the rim size.

So a 7" wide rim would be 228mm (9") of tire, which is why the OEM size is a 225. You can usually stick pretty close to this so I wouldn't go beyond a 235 or you start getting too much sidewall bulge and flex.

A 235/55 would be just a tiny bit shorter than stock, which might be good if you are lowering the car. A 235/60 is 26.1" in OD. Works out back, but might be tight in the front if you are lowered.

thank you! I ended up choosing 235/60/15's!