Any ideas on tires for the stock 13" wheels? I HAVE a 1979 and need some hi-pro tires in 13" or a larger size that will clear. Any ideas? Thanks

 

I'll reply before you get flamed. This question comes up nearly every week, and a search will give you your answers.

Here's what people have been saying (for street use):

Largest size that fits: 205/60/13
A more comfortable(?) fit: 195/60/13

Brands:
Yokohama AVS Intermediate (being discontinued, still some out there in some sizes)
Sumitomo HR 200 (something like that, I'm doing this from memory)
BFG T/A or Dunlop
plus some others that have received positive reviews here

Check www.tirerack.com, do a search by size to see what's available.

 

I run the Sumitomo HR 200 in 205/60/13. I'm happy with the tire but if I bought them again I would get them sized at 195/60/13 instead.

 

AFter living with 205/60's for a year, I put on some 185/70's and noted that ultimate grip levels increased slightly, and response went up dramatically.

Tires that are too wide for the rims are a detriment because the sidewall is not adequately supported. Wider is *not* better.

 

Good point peejay.

Another consideration is your wheel width. The Haynes manual says both 5" and 5 1/2" wheels came on 1st gens; 5.5s were alum, I assume 5s were steel.

I'd go max 195/60 on 5 1/2" wheels. As peejay says, you want full tread contact, but you also want to minimize sidewall height, and therefore flex. At some point it's a tradeoff.