• From: Houston, TX
  • Registered: 2012-06-21
  • Posts: 1,611

Topic: Non-LeMons question about cramming wide tires on narrow rims

In addition to my 1964 Dodge Dart Racecar, I have a 1964 Dodge Dart parts car that has been reanimated as an "art car." One of the events where the Art Dart sees service requires some mild off-road driving, so I'm looking into getting some all-terrains or winter/snow tires just to make sure I don't get stuck in the mud.

The problem? The bolt pattern is old-fashioned Mopar 5 x 4", and I have no desire to spend significant time or money changing that fact. The biggest wheels I could get cheaply are 14 x 4.5". I also have no desire to spend real money on new wheels for this stupid project. (The same goes for adding a sure-grip rear end, obviously.)

Now, there are some A/T tires in 14", but nothing that is recommended for such a narrow wheel. Tire Rack appears to recommend nothing wider than a 185 section width for this wheel size. (The original tire size for this car with 14" wheels was a bias ply approximately equivalent to 185-70-14.) Winter tires are more available in narrower sizes, but even if I go with winter tires I'd like to get them as wide as possible to reduce the chances of having to dig this thing out while shuttling drunk hippies around.

So the question is how wide should I go before I start running into problems? If I can convince a tire shop to mount 205s on these wheels, how bad an idea is that? This car is not going to see any kind of cornering action, but am I risking a tire coming off the wheel on the highway if I go too wide? What about 195s? I figure if Tire Rack says they fit on a 5" wide wheel, a 4.5" wide wheel can't be too bad. So what's a reasonable cutoff?

Am I being stupid? Should I just get some 185-70 Firestone Winterforces and not worry about trying to optimize further?

Escape Velocity Racing
  • From: South of Chicago
  • Registered: 2011-11-26
  • Posts: 750

Re: Non-LeMons question about cramming wide tires on narrow rims

Go with the 185's. It was good enough back in the day so it should be better now since tires today are better then back in the day.

  • From: Houston, TX
  • Registered: 2012-06-21
  • Posts: 1,611

Re: Non-LeMons question about cramming wide tires on narrow rims

I should also mention that part of wanting wider tires on the car is because it will look cool. I can't believe I left that out.

Escape Velocity Racing
  • From: Austin
  • Registered: 2010-09-13
  • Posts: 1,481

Re: Non-LeMons question about cramming wide tires on narrow rims

Art Dart?

ART DART?!

Holy crapballs of ballsacks of ballsballsgkfagmkdlfmd;a/s,xrkge;fmdas/, THIS IS EXTREMELY MY THING.

If you need help glitterizing things, jireokgjfl;ewqfnreopkqg;n;mfe ART DART!!! you know where I live.

Porschelump!
Org. Choice, Gator-O-Rama '11 / IOE, Button Turrible '17
Random Acts of Stupidity, World Tour of Texas '19 / 1st Place, Southern Fried Heaps '22
Rental Class Winner - Route 66 '24

ninjacoco's Website

  • Registered: 2016-05-05
  • Posts: 67

Re: Non-LeMons question about cramming wide tires on narrow rims

dunno how low your budget is, but since i drive breadbox ramblers (61..63 americans, which are basically nashcans restyled)  i get custom steel wheels made -- Stockton Wheel, i think last time -- usually $70 each. cheap reasonably strong and reliable and square and dont leak air, lug nuts grip non-ovalled holes, etc. under $300 delivered for a full set of proper wheels. i get 16x7's so i can run modern tires, what a freakin relief.

basically "custom" means assembled from their standard center stampings and rims.

  • bshorey
  • bshorey
  • Lemons Staff Stalker
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2009-10-06
  • Posts: 1,448

Re: Non-LeMons question about cramming wide tires on narrow rims

I wouldn't go wider than 185 on a 4.5" wheel.  Even that seems like it's pushing it (185/70 was the stock size on the early 70's Alfas with 14x5.5 wheels).

I bought a car once that had 225/70's on 14x5.5 wheels.  It looked effing stupid and felt like I was driving on balloons.  But sadly, the tires never fell off the wheels, I had to eventually pay somebody to remove them.  I would imagine that jamming 205's on a 4.5" wheel would have similar results.

bs