Tyre size

[jay st]

Hi all I’ve just bought a set of 7x13 wheels et0 for a mk1 escort (4door) and I’m after a set of tyres what size would people recommend the car not currently lowered but will be for its out on the road was thinking maybe 2in or 1 1/2in drop thanks jay

[FrankC]

Hi Jay, not straight forward I’m afraid. I think your biggest issue will be clearance on the rear with tyres scrubbing the lip on the arches. Assuming it’s a std length rear axle. A mate of mine fitted 185/60 but scrubbed on the rear, he rolled the lip and fitted 175/60’s. Wheels were near enough flush with the arches and no longer scrubbed. Some say a 175/60 is too much of a stretch for a 7” wheel but his fit no problem and don’t look stretched in the slightest…
Another thing you’ll find is different makes of tyre in the same size are different widths. Some 175’s maybe be 175 but other makes could be actually be 180 etc…
Others have fitted a 175/50 but again, a bit more of a stretch, stiffer sidewall but obv sit lower so probably have clearance issues with speed bumps etc ?

I might be fitting same size wheels as yourself and I’ll be fitting either 175/60’s or 185/55. I have a narrowed rear axle though…

[FrankC]

The best advice would be to try wheels from someone else’s car if possible before you buy.

[prox]

The issue if you have got wheels that require a 205 size tyres, but you are going to struggle to get these under your arch.

Then so that leaves you with a stretched tyre which sort of negates the reason for going with 7 inch wide wheels in the 1st place.

[Mk2Neil]

I have a 4 door Ghia running 7x13 Supalites and de-cambered rear leaf springs plus Burton 170lb front springs on a -2" drop. I did originally run 175/50/13s which cleared no problems, but the ride was very harsh as they were like rubber bands. Went to 175/60/13 Yokohamas and it all clears ok but i wouldnt go any lower. I only hear a very occasional rub on a rear arch when on a really bumpy road at speed, but the arches could be rolled if you were that fussed. I am also running GAZ adjustable shocks, so they are on a medium setting as well. Handles really well and goes most places, but need to be careful on some road humps going to shows etc as the Ashley downpipe can catch. I think you can get away with the wheels and tyres, but you would need a stiffer suspension setup to stop them hitting the arches.

[alladdin]

i have never had an issue with 185/60/13 on an escort, (roll the arches) mk2 generally has a little more clearance than mk1

[Graham]

back in the day almost every one ran 185/60/13, but than again almost everyone ran 5.5 or 6j wheels

[Mafijoosi93]

I have 7x13 ET5 for my Mk2. Would 205/60R13 fit on unmodified rear arches?

[katana]

Unlikely.

[Mafijoosi93]

Thanks!