I need to upgrade the 13inch rims on my 65 barracuda to 14's. From what I've read a 205 is the widest one should go on a 5.5 rim, and 185 on a 4.5.
Is there any real benefit of trying to find 5.5 steelies (which seem to be hard to find) to run a 205, or can I possibly run a 195 on the 4.5 and call it a day? I'm assuming either option would be better than what I have, which is 4 mismatched tires in 185/80/13.

Kevin

A 4.5 is too narrow for a 195, you really wouldn't gain anything except a lighter pocket in comparison to a 185........

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

That's right. If you're in a time/budget crunch and can only find 4½" rims, use appropriate tires (I have BF Goodrich Traction T/A in P185/65R14s or something close to that size on 4½" rims on my '71). If you can afford to wait (or buy new), get 5½" rims.

195s are too wide for effective use on the narrower rims.

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

Understood. I'm hoping then to get the 5.5 rims, as there are little tire choces for the 4.5 rims in a 185. (at least according to tire rack)

I have available to me locally 4.5 steelies and SBP rallys (i guess 5.5?) Are the 5.5 steelies really that hard to find?

In most of North America, finding any small-bolt wheels is getting to be a real trick.

I might be wrong about the tire size on my '71. I'll look tomorrow. I do like the Traction T/A tires, whatever size they are.

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

Would a 1974 /6 dart be a suitable donor car to forget the whole SBP thing and go to a BBP?

It seems I can get a whole car with disk brakes, wheels, rear, etc easier and cheaper than parts.
thanks!

My Duster came with 6.5 X 14 SBP chrome reverse wheels. Guess I will save them.

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'72 Duster 198 stock cam, 3:23's Hookers on jack stands for 8 years in the driveway
'79 Maxivan 360 Offy Qjet Comp RV cam/rusting in the driveway.
93 D350 160HP Cummins Auto Dually Clubcab needs a injector pump
2005 Golden Couch Buick

well, it looks like I'm going with 14 x 5.5 rallys on the barracuda. What would be the best tire size, 205/70/14's or 195/70/14's?

Or can I run the same tires but in 60 series for less sidewall and slightly better gearing? Or is that just a real bad idea? Lord knows I'm full of them.

Either one works. I went with the 195/70s because they were 20% cheaper and only 5mm smaller (tire manufacturer data)

You can use a slight tire size diameter change to correct for speedometer/odometer error. (205/70 largest diameter 205/60 smallest). You just need to know how accurate it is now with whatever size tire you currently have, then you can do some math to figure what size to get.

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

Thanks. 20% cheaper is the math that makes the most sense to me right now. I think I'll try a 205/60/14, that should give me about an inch less sidewall than the stock 13's.
It looks like a traction t/a in that size is 59 bucks at tirerack.