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Triumph TR6 - Tires

Good day eh...

Maybe it's just me but I don't often get a good hit when I search Archives. I'm sure this one has been discussed many times. Other sources on the web reveal a mixed bag with most saying 205/70/15 for size. The brand of tire suggestions are all over the map.

For now I'm having my spare tire rim sand blasted, primed and painted. The Michelin tire on it may have been older than the car... a 185-15 and needs replacing. There was no profile number. Before I buy a good used tire to suffice an emergency I'll need a modern day equivalent size to the 185-15 and I'll need to think about next year when I replace all 4 tires on the car.

So, when I replace all 4 on the car (not sure I can justify Redlines / Redbands nor do I know who makes & sells them) but will consider. I will stay with my stock rims.

What do you recommend in tire size and brand?

Thanks in advance for sharing your thoughts & experiences. Hopefully this thread will come up in future for other newbies who search this topic.

Ken
Ken Shaddock

I should have said that in addition to considerations like mating with the engineering of the suspension, etc. the period look to the car is important too and some modern tires may mess with this look. Fair?

Ken
Ken Shaddock

Hello,

I like Pirelli brand, like Scorpion and H rated like former Michelin XAS very popular for TR6.

Cheers,

JGC
J. G. Catford

JG... what size do you recommend?

Ken
Ken Shaddock


Hello

205/70x15 was what British car magazine recommended few year ago.

And easy was to find the right size with diff. profile is that program:

http://www.stuegli.com/tiresize.htm


And there is this old chart:

http://www.galaxieclub.com/tire-specs.html

Using the program, you will find that 215/65x15 is also suitable.

Diff. allowed should not be more than 2%, with original set-up.

Cheers,

JGC
J. G. Catford

Ken
The current tire size that is closest to OE redlines is 205/70R15.

Going bigger might give front tire rub on a "tight" turn and possible rub if rear tube shock conversion.

Rick
Rick Crawford

Perfect... thanks guys. Initially, part of the appeal for these cars was the look of the wheels / tires. The originals filled the wheel-well and looked husky on the car despite being a fairly narrow tire by today's standards.

I'd like the best look possible on my stock wheels. As others have said, paying a premium for redlines may not result in having the best tire for ride & safety.

I won't be racing or cornering at high speeds so I confess my priorities are looks, then safety & quality. Perhaps I can get all three!

Ken
Ken Shaddock

Ken, I am currently running on 205/70/15's. I am in need of new tires as well (next year). I also would like to go with red lines, but they are hard to find. I have a lead on some in Mississauga, will let you know what I come up with.
Cheers
Pete
Pete Russell

Okay Pete... standing by.

I assume you think that someone is making redline tires currently (of tubeless tire modern manufacturing methods re safety and handling) that will fit our cars. That you are not looking at old redlines that happen to be in good condition. Ken
Ken Shaddock

Ken...modern tire only. Diamond Back Classics have a rep here in GTA. He operates out of his house, & specializes in white walls, red lines etc. for vintage vehicles. Preference is to place his bulk order in Jan for spring delivery. Brand would be Cooper unless you want different. Price $225 Cdn.(Ouch!!) Just a "little" pricey, but if you want the look in a modern tire, I think he is the only game in town.
Cheers
Pete Russell

Pete... can you ask your contact whether the tires will have been built in 2008 or 2009? You may know that warehouses with old stock like to move their inventory.

Ken
Ken Shaddock

Hi Pete

Ignore my previous Q. I went to their website in the US to learn more. Diamondback Tires of SC carry zero inventory with all tires made to order. I have to assume that they are using "blanks" from various tire companies and have a deal where they get fresh rubber onto which they vulcanize the sidewall of your choice.

I called them in South Carolina and asked for a price. They sell direct to the public at retail prices. The Cooper Redline 205/70/15's are $172 each plus 7% state tax if picked up in SC. Since I plan on wintering in FL I asked about shipping out of state to eliminate tax. Shipping to the panhandle area of Florida was $73 for all 4 tires... more than the tax but then again, gas to get me over to the SC coast would be significant so taking delivery in FL makes sense. Four tires would be $688 plus delivery is $761. Buying them in Canada is $1017.00 tax in.

However, for the extra $256 you get 'em locally with a contact in the case there are problems and no hassles coming back across the border.

So goes the thinking out loud.

Ken


Ken Shaddock

Hi Ken, i have the coker redlines, not sure if i like them? They have all kinds OF IMPERFECTIONS , COMPARED TO A MODERN TIRE ,THEY ARE MADE IN MEXICO ,but to me they look great? I originally had the mich X which rode about the same? I changed over to wires which I am hopeing could be better balanced? They are very pricey ? It is all about looks compared to a modern tire which we are use too. My car is at phils right now (britcar) hopeing that upgrading the suspension will improve my ride? If i was to do it over again? diamondbacks!
ian white

Hey thanks Ian... I had heard another speak of Coker but did not know about them. Appreciate your input. Now it's a price decision. Ken
Ken Shaddock

Coker??? I was told Cooper?? In any event they will red line any tire you want. Ken how do you intenf to bring 4 tire over the border, and can you bring 8???
Pete
Pete Russell

Hi Pete. Ian mentioned that he had Coker Redlines and would prefer having Diamondback Coopers next time.

As far as bringing the tires home I have a p/u truck I use to haul a fifthwheel trailer. I take the trailer down to FL in fall (to avoid dirty weather when we leave for three months in January) and when I return in late November for Christmas I can bring back 4. In April, when I pull the trailer home I can bring four more home. You interested?

Ken
Ken Shaddock

I have Coker Redlines on mine as well. Picked them up at Simcoe tire in Simcoe.

They are OK. They look good but I wouldn't say they the best handling.

Can't remember the cost but if you want me to dig that up I can.
Michael Petryschuk

If I recall does not coker use dunlop?
Rick
Rick Crawford

Ken, I am definately interested, so let's talk again later.
Cheers
Pete
Pete Russell

Okay Pete... my email is smokeyssonATgmailDOTcom

Ken
Ken Shaddock


I see from JG's second reference link that 195/75 is also comparable to the 185-15 Mich Redlines I have. The 75's would stand a little taller in the wheelwell but of course are narrower. Before I jump into the expense of new Cooper redlines from Diamondback Classics I just want to make sure that 205/70 will not rub and of course "look the part".

I saw some nice looking Dunlop "Signature" tires today (205/70/15 installed & balanced for $136 each) but they were black and on a rack not on a TR6.

Are some of you driving on 205/70/15's on stock rims?

Ken
Ken Shaddock

Ken,

I'm running 205/60s on stock rims with lowered coils, and the tires do rub a little on the inside at full lock.

Ken Morton
k v morton

Hey Ken... how do you like Ms. Palin? She's sure causing quite a stir!

So, if I went with 205/70's the rub could be worse.

Ken
Ken Shaddock

Ken,

I don't know if the tire rub could be partly due to the lowered springs. The tires and springs went on at the same time. It's really very minor, only noticed upon visual inspection of the suspension, and I like the looks of both the wider tires and the lowered suspension.

As for your other question, to paraphrase the old line, "take my governor, please, take my governor..."

Ken
k v morton

Going to a lower profile tyer and dropping the height of the car at the same time hides the fact that a 60 series tyer would look funny (an empty wheel well) if working with OE coils. Yes the car will look OK with 60 series "height" tyres ONLY because the body has been lowered.

" and I like the looks of both the wider tires and the lowered suspension. "....Ken M. your tyres are exactly the same width as Ken S. is talking about(205). Maybe you meant you like the look of a lower profile tyer (60 series) along with a lowered suspension. this can definitely make a TR6 look tough!

I can see that you might have tyer rub with a lowered suspension.

There will be no tyer rub with 205/70s assuming stock suspension.

Rick C
Rick Crawford

Rick. I'm staying with stock suspension & no shock conversion either. I appreciate your confirmation as to correctness & function of the 205/70's. I've looked at a 100 TR6's over the years and never once noted tire size hence my stumbling on this. I don't recall seeing one that look bad due to tires so I may be tangled in a detail that's minor. What's driving this research is the high cost and 'no way back' re the Cooper RedLines at Diamondback Classics. I'll be bringing them back from FL as mentioned with high hopes that they'll look great.

Ken M. You'll see that fellow BB member Pete R has 60 series tires too but I don't think he's mentioned having lowering springs. Love to see a picture of your car. Thanks for your thoughts too.

Ken S
Ken Shaddock

Rick,
By wider, I meant wider than stock. And I agree, without the lowered suspension, the wheel wells look a little empty on 15x205/60s. 16x205/60s would probably look good without lowering the car if a guy wanted to go with aftermarket wheels.The tire rub only shows up as a small polished area on the sway bar.

Ken,
Here's a picture of my "6" next to two other Triumphs and an MG.

Ken

k v morton

Very cool looking Ken M. Your car is a little bit lower with the 60s on her yes? But only by what...a 1/2" inch?
Like I said, lowering car height and lower tyer height makes a TR6 look cool.
Sure hope that one Triumph did not fall over:)

Ken S. I think you meant Coker not Cooper. I think you will be happy with your purchase. They will be a modern tyer. The redlines will look nice on your colour of 6.

Rick
Rick Crawford

Thanks Ken... it does look good but as you say, the lower springs keep things in perspective.

Rick, I'm pretty sure the supplier said Cooper Tires. I know Coker is a source for redlines also but these guys say they use fresh Coopers. I'll check again today.

Ken

PS. I agree with Rick... that leaning bike made me nervous Ken.
Ken Shaddock

Another picture of my "6" next to my '93 Jeep. The old Cherokees are much lower than other SUVs, and it has 70s instead of 75s. I didn't measure the height of my TR before the lowered springs and 60 series tires, so I can't tell what the combined difference is. I did have to buy a "racing" floor jack to get under it, though. There are some parking lots I have to avoid, and it rides a bit harshly, but it is all about style, after all!

And rest assured, the two-wheel Triumph was only there long enough to take that picture.

Ken

k v morton

205 section width tires will work fine on stock TR6 wheels. I have run 195/70-15 and 205/70-15 on street driven ones and have run 205/50-15 (yes that is 205/50, not a typo) on stock TR6 wheels for autocross purposes. A crunch of the numbers shows that the 205/70-15 and 215/65-15 are the closest to the stock rolling diameter of the origianl equipment 185-15 tires. I have seen TR6s with 205/65-15 tires and some rubbed, some didn't, it seemed to be a function of the tire brand.
Steve Pike

HI KEN,i just wasted 15 minutes lost with a bad mouse! just make sure your new tires are new! I saw a clip on sixpack i beleive? A lot of new tires are 5-10 years old sold in stores in the states .Britian and europe have decided that any tire over 6 years should be replaced by law,10 in canada. I saw my old mga coupe the other day,with the tires i installed 30 years ago? when i bought my tr6 2 years ago ,the deal with the appraiser/ insurance agent lant was my 1985 pristine tires with an original spare, had to go! I think the code by law, on every tire works like this: 4007 means that a tire would have been made the 40th week in 2007 I know that diamondbacks are always changing tires,best price or old stock? Old tires can be a death trap!
ian white

Ian..

"I know that diamondbacks are always changing tires,best price or old stock?"

Sorry Ian, what does this sentence mean?

When I spoke to them they insisted that their stock was always fresh - no warehousing. But, they don't make tires right? I believe what they do is vulcanize whitewalls & redlines on stock from manufacturers... which could be old. Fair?

Ken
Ken Shaddock

Here's a link to the Diamondback folks. Almost makes me want to go hotrodding.

Ken

http://www.dbtires.com/index.htm
Ken Shaddock

This thread was discussed between 01/10/2008 and 10/10/2008

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