radial tire size question

Unknown
Unknown
edited November -1 in HUDSON
I will be buying a new set of radial tires for my Hornet soon. Is 215/75R-15 the biggest that will fit in the wheel well?

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  • 53jetman
    53jetman Senior Contributor
    My '54 Hornet Coupe' has 225R75-15's. Have had no clearence problems, but you've got to let the rear axle droop as much as possible in order to clear the outter frame when putting the tire/wheel assy on the back axle. The ride is indescribable - I'll never have another aHudson with bias ply tires.
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    dennis g wrote:
    I will be buying a new set of radial tires for my Hornet soon. Is 215/75R-15 the biggest that will fit in the wheel well?
    215/75Rx15 is the size you need if you have 5 inch rims. Anything bigger and you will have problems when changing tires. I know a fellow that had 225's on, got a flat in the middle of the night, couldn't remove the tire, had to wait 2 hours for a service truck and the guy told him you have the wrong size tire on this car. The next day 215,s were mounted. Walt.
  • RL Chilton
    RL Chilton Administrator, Member
    A lot of folks run 225's on 5" rims, however, I've heard Walt's analysis on more than one occasion from several sources.

    One solution is to widen the rims to 5-1/2" (which is better suited to the 225's). Another is to find a set from a stepdown convertible, which came stock with 5-1/2". Another is to use a set of 5-1/2" from a Chrysler product. They're out there if you start looking around.
  • lsfirth
    lsfirth Expert Adviser
    RL Chilton wrote:
    A lot of folks run 225's on 5" rims, however, I've heard Walt's analysis on more than one occasion from several sources.



    One solution is to widen the rims to 5-1/2" (which is better suited to the 225's). Another is to find a set from a stepdown convertible, which came stock with 5-1/2". Another is to use a set of 5-1/2" from a Chrysler product. They're out there if you start looking around.



    Would there be any difference between the 1950's Hornets and my '49? I could BARELY get a 205 65R15 on mine the other day just to roll it around in the shop. I'm pretty sure a 225 wouldn't fit on mine without using some grease and a shoe-horn :)



    Lee
  • hudsonguy
    hudsonguy Senior Contributor
    What I do with my 225's is I carry a little 12v compressor which allows me to let some of the air out and it slips right on. I do plan on 're-rimming' my stock 5" wheels when I can afford it though.
  • Aaron D. IL
    Aaron D. IL Senior Contributor
    I've run 225's before and It worked ok I just had to carry 2 jacks in the trunk.... one to get the car up and the other to manuver the rear axle and then wiggle it out between the rear frame member. Can be done...just depends on how much work you're willing to put up with when you need to do brake inspections and such.
  • Aaron D. IL
    Aaron D. IL Senior Contributor
    lsfirth wrote:
    Would there be any difference between the 1950's Hornets and my '49? I could BARELY get a 205 65R15 on mine the other day just to roll it around in the shop. I'm pretty sure a 225 wouldn't fit on mine without using some grease and a shoe-horn :)



    Lee



    Not to knitpick but there were no Hornets until 1951. The fit shouldn't be any different as the stepdown frames were not changed.... the axles Hudson generally were in 1951 though.... that might account for some difference (spicer/ non-spicer.).
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    I wasn't very clear with my original question about largest tire size that would fit in the wheel well. My concern was getting the spare tire in the trunk well. I have 225/75R15's on another Hornet and I have to lay ithe spare flat on the trunk floor. I use the well to carry spare parts.
  • Richie
    Richie Senior Contributor
    I bought my set of WWW tires from Hudson Dave here on the forum. I have 225 75 R 15 size tires with stock wheels on my 50 Pacemaker Brougham. When I installed them I had to wiggle them a bit, but basically went on OK. I've not had a flat tire yet but wouldn't worry if I had to change one on the road. I carry a small floor jack and raise the car by the frame just in front of the wheel. Just my experience, yours may differ. Richie.
  • dougson
    dougson Senior Contributor
    I'm running 215 70-15s on Chrysler 6.5" rims on the back. Very tight mount on the passenger side, a little easier on the driver's side. They clear the inner wheel well edge by about 1/2 to 3/4 inch.
  • Browniepetersen
    Browniepetersen Senior Contributor
    I used the 225's on Chrysler rims. I did not have a fit problem. There has been a lot of discussion in previous posts about rim damage from SBR tires. The Chrysler rims are constructed in a way that the strength of the rim does not fail due to sidewall tire movement. And as has been noted... the ride is a wonder to behold......
  • SuperDave
    SuperDave Senior Contributor
    Make sure you have the correct shocks on the rear. I have seen some shocks that did not extend as much as the originals and that creates a clearance problem. Someone put the wrong shocks on my 49 some years ago. I had to force fit 215's . I now have plenty of room. 215's seem like a more natural fit. Most 225's I have seen make the front wheel wells seem stuffed.
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    What year and size of Chrysler rims are used and are tubes needed? Also will the stainless trim ring work? Thanks
  • RL Chilton
    RL Chilton Administrator, Member
    Aaron D. IL wrote:
    Not to knitpick but there were no Hornets until 1951. The fit shouldn't be any different as the stepdown frames were not changed.... the axles Hudson generally were in 1951 though.... that might account for some difference (spicer/ non-spicer.).

    Aaron, I thought the 'P' & the 'H' were the same width? Is that not true?
  • RL Chilton
    RL Chilton Administrator, Member
    41truck wrote:
    What year and size of Chrysler rims are used and are tubes needed? Also will the stainless trim ring work? Thanks

    Not sure about total years, but same period ('50's and up into '60's, I think) work. Trim ring works as long as your rim is 15". Tubes aren't needed for the radials. Only on Bias ply tires and some radials that are used on wire wheels require tubes (and the rubber cover for studs from the spokes).
  • lsfirth
    lsfirth Expert Adviser
    Aaron D. IL wrote:
    Not to knitpick but there were no Hornets until 1951. The fit shouldn't be any different as the stepdown frames were not changed.... the axles Hudson generally were in 1951 though.... that might account for some difference (spicer/ non-spicer.).



    My '49 is a supersix. I thought the frames were the same as you mention, but that's what brought up the question.....since it didn't look like a 225 or even a 215 would fit. As someone mentioned, maybe my shocks aren't letting the axle drop as far.



    Thanks,

    Lee
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    Smaller tires will give you less road noise, better fuel economy and will be much easier to park.
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    Do the Chrysler rims have the tabs on them like the Hudson ones to hold on the hub cap for a 48-49 Commodore?
  • Browniepetersen
    Browniepetersen Senior Contributor
    41truck wrote:
    Do the Chrysler rims have the tabs on them like the Hudson ones to hold on the hub cap for a 48-49 Commodore?



    I picked up rims from a 1950 Chrysler Imperial and yes they did have the tabs so that I could place the "Dog Dish" or smaller hubcaps on my car.
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