I have 235-60-15 Radial TAs on the front of my 67SS and 265-50-15 TAs on the back. It was suggested to me that going with a 255-60-15 on the back (narrower and taller) would give me a smoother ride. Certainly a taler tire would seem to give me a softer ride but, does the width have any bearing on the ride quality? I'm ready to go to a taller rear tire and 3.55:1 gears but I don't want to "blow" the money.

This is a good question for all, before we spend a bunch of money replacing new tires in the hope of a better ride.

Thanks
Chuck

It's been my experience that sidewall height/aspect ratio has far more effect on ride quality than overall diameter or width. A 15" tire/wheel with the same overall diameter as a 17" tire/wheel will give a much better ride because of the taller sidewall height but you'll sacrifice some cornering with the taller sidewall. By the same token a 235/70-15 will ride better than a 235/50-15, how much better might not be that much but there would be a difference. You have decide which is more important and try to select a tire that fits your needs. Personally I stick with 60 or 70 series 15" tires. Those 17", 18", etc. wheels and short sidewalls look cool (on the right car) but I'm gettin' old and I rather be comfortable. 30 years ago I wouldn't buy a car with AC or power anything except the motor, now I won't buy one without at least AC, PS, PB and tilt wheel.

he's right. when you get below the 60 series, they handle better, but are a rougher ride. Width will put more rubber on the road, so it can be a nicer ride, compared to a skinny tire.

Yould be going from a 25.5" diameter, and 10.9" wide to a 27.1" tall, 10.2" wide tire, so the appearance from the side would fill the wheelwell more, but from the back, you would be a little narrower. Traction-wise, you get less rubber, but I think it is more than made up in how it would affect your gear raio. A taller tire makes a gear ratio act more like a numerically lower number.

I have 265_50_50 on front and rear using 8 inch Corvette ralleys. The car is lower than stock and looks/handles great. No issues with ride quality.

Thanks guys. I agree with Hippie. That's what I thought but I wanted a second (third and fourth) opinion. The new tires will be narrower and taller. The gear change will put me just about where I was with a little better first gear but no major rev increase on the freeway in 5th gear. I'm gettin' too old for that 50 series ride. Thanks for the input guys.

Speaking of Hippies, Hippie. You were a '70s kid. I was a 60's kid and you know what they say....: "If you remember the 60s, you weren't there". Thanks for the help!!!

Chuck

Speaking of Hippies, Hippie. You were a '70s kid. I was a 60's kid and you know what they say....: "If you remember the 60s, you weren't there". Thanks for the help!!!

Chuck

I'll be 50 in a couple months, I remember the 60's but the 70's are kind of fuzzy........ ;)

So let's go back to the original question, If I may. Does tire width effect the ride? I'm not looking for a big improvements since the tire hight will give me some relief, do I go with a taller "fat" 50 series tire or a taller 60 series tire or.... simply stated, does the wire width effect ride quality? When you think about it, this is a universal question since most of us have "fat" tires.

The real goal here for me is that the tire/gear change would give me a little better 1st gear and a little better ride with minimal increase in freeway RPM. I'm at 2333 now in 5th. The tire/gear change would take me to about 2400. Very acceptable.

My 1st gear take off is OK but just adequate without a little lugging. If I change tires and gears, I gain a little less than 100 RPM at freeway speed and get a little better launch. If I just just change gears and not tires (3.31 to 3.55) I gain a lot of Freeway RPM. Not good for crusin'.

Soooo, the proposed change isn't such a bad decision considering the real goal, and I was hoping to get a little better ride out of the deal for my money as well. So I plan to go taller, but will a 60 series tire also gain some ride improvement over a 50 series tire? It seems like getting some of the rubber off the road will help? Think about this for a while. It will make you crazy.

Thanks
Chuck