Datsun Roadster Forum-311s.org

After debating on whether to purchase Rota wheels or stay with the stock wheels, I have decided to stay stock, as I just bought some very nice
original chrome hubcaps. Do I have to stay with the original 185/75 R14 tires or can I go any larger with the stock wheels
Thanks,
Bill

Others on here can tell you what the max size that will fit, but I bought a set of early Z wheels. They look the same but are wider. To use the stock hubcaps you have to put some retainers on them. One of the guys here welded ball bearings on his.

You can also have your steel wheels widen......IIRC, the center hole on the Z wheels is too small to clear the front hub, so you need a spacer or grind the hub.

I believe the stock wheels are either 4" or 4.5" wide. I recall there are 2 versions. I think going any wider than 185 is not a good idea on the stock wheels. Check the specs of the specific tire in question for recommended wheel width. If you are going for a stock look, whitewalls are a nice option IMHO.

Related thread: http://www.311s.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.ph ... it=hankook

I think 185s are much bigger than stock tires.

From my research, 185/70/14 has about the same circumference as stock. It certainly has a wider tread than the old stock bias ply Toyos.

I have had no issues running 185/70/14. A quick look at Hankook's website shows that 185/70/14 has a recommended rim width range from 4.5" to 6.0"

Locobill was asking about 185/75/14 which are higher profile and larger circumference. I can't speak to those, but would recommend the lower profile 185/70/14 tire. Another point is that tire options for stock wheels are becoming limited, especially in whitewalls.

Some more info for reference from a past thread linked above:

I have a set of the 185s, and a set of correct bias ply tires that I use when I take my Roadster to car shows. The 185s are the closest to the real-deal and look good. Personally, in 185s I like the Uniroyal Tiger Paw whitewall, but when I bought my first set of stock wheels off of EBay they had an ancient pair of old-school Pirelli Cinturato 165HR14s on them that fit the Roadster's wheel wells perfectly and looked amazing! They were the OEM tire for Alfas and others. Since buying the Uniroyals, I've discovered that Lucas Tires in Long Beach, Ca is remanufacturing the Pirellis for $200 a corner. If I had known that at the time, I would have purchased those without hesitation.

Wow!! If I was building a stock looking car I would be all over those Cinturatos..

Ok, just went and measured a stock Toyo 5.60x14 at 23.5 tall by 4in tread (note to self---- stay out of attic during Oklahoma's summer). Tire was mounted on an original wheel. Tire looks tiny compared to the 215x60x14's that are currently on the car! Sure wish I could still find these in something other than a race tire.

Well, I finally got new tires today. They are Hankook 724 whitewalls, 185/75R14. They actually look pretty nice
And they ride much better than the 25 (yes 25!) year old Flinstone tires that were on it.

I've used 185 60 series on stock rims. I asked the tire guy what was the widest tire I could put on the rim. He sold me those. They were some Michelin all weather tread in the 80s. Worked great, and they lasted quite a while.

25 year old Sears weatherhandler. Didnt look to bad on the rim,, with air in it.

Those should ride just fine....LOL