Has anyone had a daily driver that used 3 1/2" wide front runners in the rear? In other words all the way around? I like the skinny tire look on traditional hot rods and was wondering if was possible and safe?
"Possible" is a given. "Safe" is a matter of degrees. 100K rods over 75 years have been running them on the front axle with no big issues. If you have enough factors it probably wouldn't be a problem. Personally I'm not a fan of the look. I'm a believer that the first "traditional" generation of rodders upgraded whenever the budget would allow. Light weight car & tires rated for the weight.... +1 point Short trips, easy duty.... +1 New rubber, new tech, not old stock.... +1 Driver totally conscious of the limits of the tires, drives accordingly..... +1 4 points total = Pretty sure. 5 points = Why not? It's your car.... your choice.
Shift Wizard, I appreciate your response. My reason for thinking out loud and posing a question was guided on a couple of things which you brought out. I am building a budget 1946 Ford pickup cab on a 1936 Ford ch***is, dropped straight axle with wishbones, sbc with an auto trans and 10 bolt rear. and I am using what I have right now. I have a set of Centerlines big and littles I thought about using for now. I am an older hotrodder and still enjoy working on my own stuff. I have owned a lot of muscle cars and cl***ic pickup trucks over the year. Most with huge rear tires stuffed into the fenderwells. When I was a youngster, I wrestled those fat tires with ease. Now I am at an age that If I can't change the tire by myself, I might as well not drive it. That is the reason I thought about getting some more Centerline skinnies for the back so I could still change tires with ease. That might be kind of crazy, pridefull, but that's kind of what I was thinking. I know the skinny tire look isn't everybody 's preference, but it's more of a practical thing for me. Thanks Runningiron
I am into the salt racer look and have been to b-ville 3 times so I personally don't have a problem with skinnies all around. I do use taller tires on the back and short ones on the front through. From the side you cant tell and it still has that low rubber rake.
Hell, they would be plenty safe as the weight bias on most of our hot rods are to the front or at best equal. Some high boy style cars could be slightly heavier to the rear. The skinny look is starting to grow on me these days.
Before the late 40s,when wide tires were not around,ya. But most hot rodders were not *****s an knowing you had made more HP,made you hunt for the wideist tire you could get an fit,for more bit/bit = more take off speed. If your running a flathead fine,you can run skinnys all around. But if your running OHV V8 of any kind,big an small is right/an yes big also means wider an taller for the most part. Other wise you just fell in to the bubble of BS that seems to be going around now a lot. There is a slow gain in how wide tires were as time moved on,but pin pointing the time your trying for a look ,helps you pick your rears.
neverdun, I like the salt flat racer look also. There are a lot of wheels like the Rocket Igniter, Rebel wheels that have the look of salt racer wheels, but they are kind of pricey. I do have a set of big and little Centerline Auto Drags. If I find someone to trade my 15X 8 1/2 for some 15X7, that would be the cats meow. But I'll run what I brung for now. Thanks.
dana barlow, I hear what you are saying. There was a time when I used to race around on Speedway Blvd., Tucson, Az in some hot mid sixties cars. Of course I ran the widest tires I could get and enjoyed those days. Right now, I have a mild built 350/350 and just interested in enjoying a mellow cruise and listen to the Porter mufflers gurgle on a daily basis. Thanks Runningiron, stuck in a time warp before the late 40's
Sir, congratulations, you're a prime AAA candidate. Run some good rubber and if you get a flat, AAA will change it for you. That's just one of the things they do.
I'm with Fred on this one. Why compromise the appearance of your hot rod when an on-the-road tire change is only a phone call away. Premium AAA coverage has unlimited towing for more serious problems. It is a 21st Century hot rodder's best friend.
We've been 196 on the salt and 160 on dirt on the same set since the early 90's. The roadster weighs #3700. They have minimal tread so the wet would not be advised. I'll bet tread wear would be zero if it had some. There are many skinny block treads out there in many rims sizes. Putting the 28's and 26's on a 3-1/2" rim might be tough and they would run in the center 2-3". Mine are on 6" rims and have a very small foot print.
jimmy six, I should be able to find some 6" wheels easy enough that I could run front and back. Black steel with some chrome lugnuts is about all the bling.. bling... I need for my hot rod.. There are plenty of tires to pick from on the market that are tall and narrow, easy to change and if not. Hello AAA.
Thanks all for your help and encouragement. I think I have it in mind what I need to do to make my daily a driver. A guy can count on this site for a plethora of information. Thanks Runningiron
How wide are 35 Ford wheels? I am running them with 7.50 rear and 5.50 fronts. Isn't that front runners all around? At least wheel wise. Sent from my XT1585 using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
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