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Thread: 14" tire

  1. #1

    Default 14" tire

    I currently have 205/70sr14. Since I will be driving on the street now, and a manual rack, I am considering a smaller front tire. I am running a drag radial in back. I don't want to go to aftermarket skinny tires. I still want a little grip.

    Any thoughts on going to:
    195/75 14
    185/75 14 may be too short?

    Anyone know of anything else that isn't too short, but slightly narrower? I have coil over suspension fwiw.

  2. #2
    FEP Senior Member
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    I'm pretty sure my '85 LTD Wagon is currently riding on 185/75R14's right now for what it is worth.
    '89 XR-7 5 Speed
    '95 SC 5 Speed
    '91 Crown Vic P72 351W
    '97 Thunderbird
    '85 Ford LTD Squire

  3. #3

  4. #4
    Moderator wraithracing's Avatar
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    205/70/14 is @ 25.4" overall diameter

    195/75/14 is @ 25.5" overall diameter

    185/75/14 is @ 25" overall diameter

    Overall diameter will vary based upon manufacturer of tire, style, and the width of the rim the tire is mounted on. The numbers are estimated and approximate. Most manufacturers will give you that data when comparing tires to make sure you get the size you need.

    Good Luck!
    ​Trey

    "I Don't build it hoping for your approval! I built it because it meets mine!"

    "I've spent most of my money on Mustangs, racing, and women... the rest I just wasted."

    Mustangs Past: Too many to remember!
    Current Mustangs:
    1969 Mach 1
    1979 Pace Car now 5.0/5 speed
    1982 GT Stalled RestoModification
    1984 SVO Still Waiting Restoration
    1986 GT Under going Wide Body Conversion Currently

    Current Capris:
    1981 Capri Roller
    1981 Capri Black Magic Roller Basket Case
    1982 Capri RS 5.0/4spd T-top Full Restoration Stalled in TX
    1984 Capri RS T-top Roller
    1983-84 Gloy Racing Trans Am/IMSA Body Parts

  5. #5
    FEP Senior Member
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    I believe the stock SVO tire was 225/50R16 which is the same height as my 185/75R14.
    '89 XR-7 5 Speed
    '95 SC 5 Speed
    '91 Crown Vic P72 351W
    '97 Thunderbird
    '85 Ford LTD Squire

  6. #6
    Moderator wraithracing's Avatar
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    The original SVO tires were 225/50/16 which is @ 25" overall diameter or slightly less in some cases.

    The original 10 hole tires were 225/60/15 which is @ 25.6" overall diameter for most tire manufacturers.

    So essentially anything from @ 25" to @ 26" overall diameter will work in most cases. A 26" tall front tire may have fitment issues if the vehicle has the front air dam or has any lowered stance. Obviously changes in overall diameter will affect the speedometer reading and may have to be adjusted/corrected with a a different speedo gear in the transmission if the change is drastic. Good Luck!
    ​Trey

    "I Don't build it hoping for your approval! I built it because it meets mine!"

    "I've spent most of my money on Mustangs, racing, and women... the rest I just wasted."

    Mustangs Past: Too many to remember!
    Current Mustangs:
    1969 Mach 1
    1979 Pace Car now 5.0/5 speed
    1982 GT Stalled RestoModification
    1984 SVO Still Waiting Restoration
    1986 GT Under going Wide Body Conversion Currently

    Current Capris:
    1981 Capri Roller
    1981 Capri Black Magic Roller Basket Case
    1982 Capri RS 5.0/4spd T-top Full Restoration Stalled in TX
    1984 Capri RS T-top Roller
    1983-84 Gloy Racing Trans Am/IMSA Body Parts

  7. #7

    Default

    Thanks. I have a couple of gears around. I have 28"rear tires and 4.11 gears.... Not much original on this thing!

  8. #8
    FEP Super Member xctasy's Avatar
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    Check with mmb617. He street drives his ex drag strip 408W Terror!

    Front runners are the slang term extreme Southerners like me use for littles at the front.

    As your engine size goes up, your understeer increases.

    Fox guys are minimalists, so its frequent that our higher performance big cuber Foxes end up with the 1978-1984 non power steered Flaming river or another re-co'd rack which has 4 turns lock to lock instead of 2.25, or 2.5 or 3.25 of the power steering crowd. The VW Beetle section width space saver 16's, 15s or Ford 14's on 185s or less are the go to tire for bigger V8's which pay homage to drag racing.


    That causes certian restrictions for daily duty with respect to safety.

    One solution to allow a stock 205 to maybee 235 on normal OEM 15 or 16 inch wheel's is to use the Toyota Prius Electric Power Steering conversion if you have to restore reduced steering effort without too much extra engine bay stuff.

    See https://www.hotrod.com/articles/150-...rius-delivers/


    Quote Originally Posted by Mike1157

    a 2009 prius eps column, cut down and modified to mate to the Ford column.
    3 wire hookup ( 12v switched, and a constant 12v and gnd)
    It "fail safes" to manual mode if the motor quits working for whatever reason, and is a little easier to steer than what a PS system would feel like if the belt broke.
    I Mated it to a standard ratio manual rack, and it steers stupid easy. It's different from the power steering feel though, the EPS adds a slight " disconnected" feeling to the steering.
    Something I'm sure I'll get used to.

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