To stagger or not to stagger? That is the question.

Rooster34

Active Member
Joined
May 24, 2020
Messages
225
Reaction score
168
Location
Maine
Hey guys and gals, I have been thinking Bour tires sizes for awhile now and still haven't come to a conclusion on what I want to do for a tire size. I bought 15x7 squad wheels a few months back that need to be refinished for next year. I found the brand of tire and white lettering I like and I am sacrificing a little as far as the tires sizes go. I was originally going to put 255/60/15 out back and 215/65/15 up front. Unfortunately they don't offer the 255/60. So I started to toy around with just putting 235/70s on all four corners which is a 28inch tall tire. However I am driving down the road of the staggered look to make the back tires look a little wider so I was thinking of 245/60 out back and 215/65 up front. Not a huge difference in width or in height 245/60 is 26.6inches and 215/65 is 26inches. 245/60 is about an inch wider than the 215. So in conclusion I guess I'm stuck with going with a staggered setup 245/60 & 215/65 or 235/70s on all four corners or 245/60s on all four.
 
You didn't mention what type of car it is, but assuming it's a C-body, OEM tire diameter was a little over 28" I think. In my estimation 235/70's would be close to stock.
 
Perhaps it all might depend upon which "look" you are seeking? A drag racer look would need the skinny tires on the front, no matter what was on the back, but the wider tire on the back. If you want to look like a car that is CAPABLE of going around corners at anything faster than a slow walk, then make them the same all the way around (the wider size or thereabouts).

Now, when the "Front Runner Look" was popular when people wanted others to perceive their car as a serious drag racer, they'd put the very skinny Front Runner wheels and tires on the front of the car, but they also had to creep around corners and mostly drove the car in town, near their home, seldom seeing the drag strip. Most finally got tired of that and quietly put regular tires/wheels back later on.

What some did back in the '70s was to put, for example, F78x14s on the front and G60x14s on the back. Kind of the same effect but not real compromises as to how the car could be driven and used. That way, the car still sits level and has the wider tire in the back.

DO make sure the front tire is at least the minimum size recommended for the car, by the OEM. This ensures that that 60% brake bias to the front of the car can still work well to stop the car decently well.

In any event, the "stagger" also means that unless you carry two spare tires (one for each size), if you have a flat and have to use the spare, your "secret" will be out. Not sure if tire rotations are an issue, either? FWIW

Enjoy!
CBODY67
 
You didn't mention what type of car it is, but assuming it's a C-body, OEM tire diameter was a little over 28" I think. In my estimation 235/70's would be close to stock.
Yes sorry it's a 1965 fury II 4 door

20210629_200117.jpg


Resized_20210705_174908.jpeg
 
I vote four equal tires. I would go tough cop look. 255/60r15 cooper cobras black wall. Or go white letters like Gators Moonshine runner look. All your tire sizes are too short except for the 235/70s.

22796270242_a821c681c2_b.jpg
 
Perhaps it all might depend upon which "look" you are seeking? A drag racer look would need the skinny tires on the front, no matter what was on the back, but the wider tire on the back. If you want to look like a car that is CAPABLE of going around corners at anything faster than a slow walk, then make them the same all the way around (the wider size or thereabouts).

Now, when the "Front Runner Look" was popular when people wanted others to perceive their car as a serious drag racer, they'd put the very skinny Front Runner wheels and tires on the front of the car, but they also had to creep around corners and mostly drove the car in town, near their home, seldom seeing the drag strip. Most finally got tired of that and quietly put regular tires/wheels back later on.

What some did back in the '70s was to put, for example, F78x14s on the front and G60x14s on the back. Kind of the same effect but not real compromises as to how the car could be driven and used. That way, the car still sits level and has the wider tire in the back.

DO make sure the front tire is at least the minimum size recommended for the car, by the OEM. This ensures that that 60% brake bias to the front of the car can still work well to stop the car decently well.

In any event, the "stagger" also means that unless you carry two spare tires (one for each size), if you have a flat and have to use the spare, your "secret" will be out. Not sure if tire rotations are an issue, either? FWIW

Enjoy!
CBODY67
Good point. I think stock oe was a 26.7 inch tire 215 75 14. As far as a look goes I don't mind a bit of rake in the front which wouldn't be much, probably even not that noticeable. I'm trying to go with a ratrod/moonshiner look and I am really leaning toward white lettering for a side wall and a chrome center cap and lugs. Considering I do like to drive her spirited on back roads it sounds like I may need to go with the same size on all corners for handling. I have been looking at pics on here and hardly anyone mentions their tire setup. I just don't want to go with something that makes it look odd where the tire doesn't quite fill up the wheel well or it fills up too much.
 
This is my wagon, it is closer in size to your car then the full size C-bodies.
The wagon has 255/60r15 front and 275/60r15 rear, Cooper cobra tires.

Version 2.jpg
 
I found a picture of when I first bought the car with 15 inch wheels and 235/75 tires. I took the 15s off because the tires were so dry rotted they started to leak. So I took the oe 14s and out them on but the tire size is not what it came with from factory.

20200611_191256.jpg
 
Do you think mix sidewall series would look strange? I was told if you go with a 70 series you should go all the way around.
If both tires are the same diameter, then the sidewalls will be the same height as well. You only have a difference in width.
 
I found a picture of when I first bought the car with 15 inch wheels and 235/75 tires. I took the 15s off because the tires were so dry rotted they started to leak. So I took the oe 14s and out them on but the tire size is not what it came with from factory.

View attachment 492331
You can get that paint shinned up nicely with some hours and correct tools.
 
IMHO, that car, being a 4 door, would look really good with 4 larger diameter, equal size tires on it.

A 2 door can look good either way, but the 4 door really lends itself to a large diameter tire the same size. ( I like tires that fill the wheel well) It would give it an aggressive, businesslike stance and look. Blackwall... No white letters. (some will not agree on that)

If you go to a white wall, find some nice wheel covers, but with the blackwall, I'd find some "poverty" hub caps.

That's my opinion, your car, do what looks good to you.
 
IMHO, that car, being a 4 door, would look really good with 4 larger diameter, equal size tires on it.

A 2 door can look good either way, but the 4 door really lends itself to a large diameter tire the same size. ( I like tires that fill the wheel well) It would give it an aggressive, businesslike stance and look. Blackwall... No white letters. (some will not agree on that)

If you go to a white wall, find some nice wheel covers, but with the blackwall, I'd find some "poverty" hub caps.

That's my opinion, your car, do what looks good to you.
I think your right, I do like the white letters though. Maybe I will do the black walls instead are there are more size options. How do you think a 255/65 would fill the well?
 
Back
Top