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TR4/4A Tire and wheel question

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Kirk_Fisher

Kirk_Fisher

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TR4 is being restored after the flash flood and it's time for new tires. There are not a lot of options for tires and I'd really like to get a wider wheel, so I can get much better tires and grip. Looking at replacing the wire wheels with the alloy wheels. Any recommendations on tires and tire sizes for these 15 x 51/2 wheels?
 
martx-5

martx-5

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I have 5 1/2" wheels (wires) that I put on my TR3. I got Vredestien Sprint Classics, 185/70-15 size. Not cheap, but they are great tires. That size will get you very close to the original diameter of the stock 165 tires.
 
KVH

KVH

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195 65 15 Bridgestone was a great tire for me. Mine are Potenza, but if they don't make those anymore, I feel that size is perfect. Very close to stock, a bit wider.
 
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JerryVV

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205-60-15 give the same diameter as the original 165-15. My speedometer is spot on with this size. My first set were Bridgestone Potenza's, great tires but no longer available. The unfortunate part is there are not many choices for a performance tire in the 205-60-15 size. I ended up with Sumitomo's and they are OK but not Potenza quality.
 
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Kirk_Fisher

Kirk_Fisher

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KVH said:
195 65 15 Bridgestone was a great tire for me. Mine are Potenza, but if they don't make those anymore, I feel that size is perfect. Very close to stock, a bit wider.
Click to expand...

I painted the wire wheels and they look pretty good, so I may stick with them for now. Really not much tire choice with the 165 though.
 
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Geo Hahn

Geo Hahn

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Kirk_Fisher said:
...Really not much tire choice with the 165 though.
Click to expand...

Lots of choice would be nice but since one of the choices is 165/15 Vredestein Sprint Classics I really don't care what else I might have gotten. Fine tires.

I have seen much larger tires on stock rims -- including a local TR3 with 205s on them. Looked a bit like this -

url
 
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rnpennington

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I put on the Kumho ties from Discount Tire and have been happy with them. They are 165/80/15 and the price isn't bad 79.00 per tire. I use Discount Tire for all my cars - large network and - in my area - they will mount wire wheels. Not an option at a lot of places.
 
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cpike

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Wondering if anyone has experience with the new SilverstoneII 15 x 6 alloy wheels and the recommended 195-60 tires on a TR3A?
 
Last edited:
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Kirk_Fisher

Kirk_Fisher

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KVH said:
195 65 15 Bridgestone was a great tire for me. Mine are Potenza, but if they don't make those anymore, I feel that size is perfect. Very close to stock, a bit wider.
Click to expand...

You are running wire wheels? 4.5 inches wide?
 
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Kirk_Fisher

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Leaning toward the Panasport wheels. Anyone have any issues with clearance with the wider wheel?
 
PAUL161

PAUL161

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Summit Racing has Coker Firestones in 165/15s. I bought 5 for the MG TF at $88.00 each, including shipping. Nice tire with a period look. PJ

View attachment 35112
 
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MHW

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You shouldn't have a problem if you go with 5.5 wide wheels. I run 205/70 with 5.5 wide Panasports on my 4A, and I have no clearance issues. Here's a picture:
MY TR EASTER 2014.jpg
 
Geo Hahn

Geo Hahn

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If you have clearance issues it will mostly be at full turn in reverse, possibly aggravated by whatever happens to the suspension as you come off a sloped driveway onto the street -- at least that what mine does. The interference is the front wheels contacting the upper wishbone. Contact is light but noisy nonetheless. I now have 3/16" spacers on the front and no contact under any circumstances. Alas, I do not recall the wheel width I am using, possibly more than 5.5".
 
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