I'm shopping on tire rack for tires. I am moving up from 13x4.5 to 14x5.5 wheels.
I was thinking about the popular 195/70/14, but I'm wondering if 195/65/14 is a better fit.
I also want the spare to be narrower so it doesn't stick out when it's stowed away, and have nearly the same diameter as the othe four tires.

My factory service manual says 63 Valiants came with 6.50-13 tires, which are 24.0" diameter.

195/65/14 is 23.98"
175/70/14 is 23.64" (spare)

Even though it's just a spare, is mixing tires with different aspect ratios really bad?

Do not mix tire sizes, it's not safe.

I like P205/70R14 on 14 x 5½" wheels, myself.

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

So, I should ignore the way the spare fits in the trunk and get all 5 tires the same?
I read that handling is sacrificed in favor of ride comfort when putting 225's on a 5.5 rim. According to this, 185/70/14 is better (for handling) than 195/70/14 on a 5.5 rim.


http://www.yokohamatire.com/utrimwidth.asp

Is anybody using 195/65/14 on a narrow A-body?

A 6.50 13 is 24.7" diameter.

I have the 195/70 14's which supposedly are 24.75" diameter and my speedo still reads high. A 195/65 will make the speedo read even higher.


You'd need a 155 or 165 to fit in the wheel well. As that doesn't exist in a 14, get 5 tires all the same and use a 5-tire rotation. If the rims are different and you can't use a 5-tire rotation, you want the spare to be the same diameter, aspect ratio and width don't matter.


And you're correct. you want to be at the wider end of the acceptable range of allowed rim widths for handling. But as a 185 and 195 are so close, I think you're better off with the slightly more rubber, and slightly larger diameter.

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Ed
64 Valiant 225 / 904 / 42:1 manual steering / 9" drum brakes

That's what I do. Makes the tires last longer, 'cause you can do a five-wheel rotation pattern.
225 is kinda wide for 5½"
I wouldn't believe anything Yokohama said, even if they told me the sky is usually blue at 12 noon in Tucson.

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

Condran's book says it's 24.0" [pg.48]*
Other sources on Internet agree it's 24.7"

The 195/65/14 would be too small.

It's 195/70/14 all 'round.

I guess Dan is right when he says

Condran's book is generally unreliable as far as numbers are concerned.

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

Do you think 205/65/14s are OK for 5 1/2" rims?

If you can get them for the same price as a 195 70 14.......... I don't think you'd really gain much over the 195/70 because a 5.5 is on the small side for a 205/65. i.e. I think the 195/70 and 205/65 on the 5.5 will handle the same; and since the 205/65 is probably more expensive, it's not worth it.........

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Ed
64 Valiant 225 / 904 / 42:1 manual steering / 9" drum brakes