1992 Custom Cruiser New Tires

My car came with 14 inch wheels as did all Torinos except Sports and Elites and unless ordered as an option. Door card actually says 24 front and rear for both H78-14 and HR78-14 which tells you Ford didn't understand radial tires back then. 15 inch G/H/GR/HR78-15 as ordered with 460 engines it says 26 front and rear. I'm not listening to a door card that is that old, though. Tires today are completely different from tires 40 years ago.

The tires I have now are little P205/75R14's (take offs from an early 90s Ranger) and they say 35psi max on the sidewall and are 95S if I remember right. So I pretty much have to keep them at 35psi or they don't have enough load were I to fill the car up with everything I own and several kids. At 35psi they handle 1521lbs each which gives me no cushion for the fronts and 50lbs each out back, but honestly I keep these tires at 35psi no matter what and they STILL look too low up front. They won't last much longer before the sidewalls give out, I can tell you that much, even if they think they can handle the load it does not look like they like it.

I chose those used $140 worth of tires over $340 worth of new P215/70R14's two years ago for diameter purposes (26.1 is better than 25.9) until I get around to buying 16" CV/GM steel wheels so I can mount 16 inch tires.

15 and 16 inch tires are easier to find in 27-28-29 inch diameters anyway and their load ratings are appropriately higher. If I can find a set of 15 inch steel wheels I could use P215/75R15 and be dead on at 27.1" diameter, but then in a few years I'll be doing it all over again because 15 inch tires are on their way out the door. I figure moving from 14 to 16 is the wise choice. I want to be able to get H speed rated tires. P215/70R16 is a good size, a little big at 27.8 inches, but there are 11 models of tire available on TireRack alone in the H rating for that size, starting out with $77 Fuzions (I'll pass) and $79 Kumhos here. Those work for me. The optional HR78-14's were 27.4 inch tires and I think less than a half inch won't present any problems. The width is fine at 215 or 225mm. Now I just need the larger wheels and $400 to spend on tires and installation, then I can go get 16 inch trim rings and be all set.

 

You're fine, the tire police won't get you and the sky isn't falling.
I like whitewalls myself but those tires look okay, to each their own.
Looks like a James Bond type guy in a white tux wearing old school black basketball sneakers , but that's cool.

 

Occupant, the 16 inch rims are pretty easy to find. The 225/60R16 is a cinch, and the Pirelli P6 is fantastic in that size. Not cheap, but they handle really well, have great grip, and good rolling resistance. They last well too. They are available in a performance H rated model, as well.

 

225/60R16 Michelin Symmetry or Goodyear Eagle RSA or Firestone Firehawks or General XP2000 is what I'd expect to find already mounted on most of them. I'm trying to lean towards a Grand Marquis for the takeoffs, less chance of the wheel being all pear shaped and better chance of decent tires without abuse.

Still want more height than that so I'd be looking at 205/70R16 or more likely (since it's the more common size) 215/70R16. That's the size you'd find standard on like a RAV4 or a Sportage or CR-V, or the Colorado/Canyon pickups.

 

The Crown Vics and Grand Marquis that came with a 16 inch wheel specified a 225/60R16. Going narrower is not so great an idea. A bit wider, if the rim is wide enough, is fine, but not narrower. You will really notice a big downgrade in handling with a 205/70R16. It is too narrow for the weight of the car, and will be very mushy in the corners. I don't know how aggressively you drive, but I have had a Michelin tire in a 225/70R15 showing scuffs on the sidewall from have a LITTLE too much fun in the corners in my Thunderbird.

 

Just an update, and possible pics coming tomorrow. I found a deal on some nearly-new 235/70/15 BFG Radial T/A's for my Olds wagon.

I'd installed the 235/60/15 RWL tires on the car earlier in the spring, and while they ride and handle fine, they don't fill out the front wheel-well enough...and it looks a little silly. If I was willing to lower the car a bit in the front, they would look fine, but I don't want to sweat going over speed bumps and steep driveways...want to keep the stock height.

I've also noted that at toll-road speeds here (85mph) that the Olds speedometer is reading way off due to the short-sidewall tires. It also feels like the engine is working harder than it needs to at those speeds.

I'd really considered putting Impala SS wheels on the Olds. I still love the way the Impala's look, but my stock Olds wheels are still in nice condition, and with the correct-sized tires, I think I'll like the look.

SO we'll see! Working on a deal for those 70-series BFG's now. Payday is tomorrow.

I'm going to give the 60-series tires to my Dad. They're the right size for his Camaro. Kill two birds with one stone.

Pics tomorrow if it works out!

-Mike


Oh and PS, these T/A's are the new E4 model. I need to Google and see what E4 means......

 

Did the deal. 235/70/15 Radial T/A's


What do you guys think?















Sure brings back memories of my last Olds wagon!!

 

I only see 1 problem with your new tires...... They are not on my Buick

 

I think it looks great! Excellent choice, Mike!

 

Thanks! The 70-series fill out the front wheel well a lot better than the 60-series did!

Before w/60-series:


After w/70-series:


Before:


After:

 

would wheels off the earlier Olds fit your new one? That would be a dynamite look IMHO.

That said, if you are happy with the new tires then that is great. I like the look.

 

Yes the older-style turbine wheels would fit. I actually looked for a set for a while, but they are hard to find now.

-Mike

 

Those tires and wheels on your car are perfect! I can't think of any variations that would look better.