Is anyone running 165/80R15 front tires on their 42 -48 Fords? I am thinking about switching out the fronts and maintaing the 195/80R16s on the rear. The height on the rears are 28" and 25.5 for the fronts if I go with the 165s. Just wondering if that is a bit too small for a fat fendered car?
165's are good for Model A's, but I think on your newer Heavier Ford you will find that the car will just push those little tires through the corners and they would wear out quickly. 165's were used on VW beetles. I tried to get a set for my last A and there none to be found in Canada. Maybe a different story in the U.S.
Load rating on 165R15s is about 1170 lbs each, so if your car has less than 2340 lbs on the front end you'll be within the tire's 'safe' range.... but just barely. Under braking weight will shift to the front and you can exceed that. I wouldn't use them.....
This question has been asked a lot lately here on the board, but out here this is a tire size we have ALL been running on fat fendered cars for years. My '48 Plymouth put the first 120,000 miles of it's life on 165s in all weather and all parts of the country with out any sort of problems. I only replaced them when I got VERY serious about maximizing handling with my car and wanted some more tread on the ground. With the car dropped low enough a 165 is the perfect height, too. I have always coupled that size with a 235/75-15 on the back. If you are truly afraid of load rating and such, a 195/65-15 in most manufacturer's catalogs has the same side wall height with a bit heavy load rating and another inch of tread on the ground. Not quite as good looking though.
I drove a 40 Ford sedan with 165R15's up front for years,,drove the car at highway speeds and zero problems. HRP
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