New Tires for Lucille

[LARIAT 85]

I have put it off for as long as I could, but Lucille really needs a new set of tires. I was hoping Firestone would make the Firehawk Indy 500 again so I could replace my current set, but it looks like that isn't going to happen. The fact is, there just aren't that many options left for 15" tires.

Goodyear is still making the old Wrangler Radial tire in the stock size of 235 75R 15, and they are only about $100 a tire. This design dates all the way back to 1980 and was used as standard equipment for Jeep CJs, and was the optional tire that many of these trucks left the Ford factory with. I like the fact that they are period-correct for these trucks - and I actually like the look of the "western" font lettering for my "Lariat" model - but my concern was that these tires would be too narrow for my stock 8" wide wheels. Apparently I am wrong, because many 1987 - 1991 trucks and Broncos left the Ford factory like this.

Do you think these 235 75R 15 Goodyear tires look okay with an 8" wide wheel? Or do they look too stretched? My current tires are Firestone 255 70R 15, and is the same height but almost 3/4" wider than these. I am used to looking at a fatter tire, so my opinion may be biased:

[Rembrant]

Do you think these 235 75R 15 Goodyear tires look okay with an 8" wide wheel?

Yes, perfectly fine.

Or do they look too stretched?

No, not at all.

I actually prefer the wider wheel/tire look, even with the smaller size tires. Makes the tire look nice in my opinion.

 

[ratdude747]

Looks good from here. Like what I was going to do with mine but ultimately cheaped out on (ended up with functional but plain black Kenda touring tires).

I have said size myself. My stock size is 215 75r15 but few of the 215's are available. I already regeared my speedometer for 235 (18 to 19 tooth) and 235 has a higher weight rating... Which is why I ended up keeping 235's.

[LARIAT 85]

Looks good from here. Like what I was going to do with mine but ultimately cheaped out on (ended up with functional but plain black Kenda touring tires).

I have said size myself. My stock size is 215 75r15 but few of the 215's are available. I already regeared my speedometer for 235 (18 to 19 tooth) and 235 has a higher weight rating... Which is why I ended up keeping 235's.

Thank you, gentlemen. The more I look at it, the more natural it looks. I guess I am just used to the look of a wider tire.

This is probably the way I am going to go. I have narrowed it down to the stock size and original look of the Goodyear Wrangler Radial in size 235 75R 15, or the wider Cooper Cobra Radial GT in size 255 70R 15.