What is the correct, or recommended, tire size for 4.5x10 Cooper S wheels? I'm debating between 145/80/10 and 165/70/10? The 145 tire width seems to be more for the 3.5" wide wheels but listings say they'll fit up to a 5" wide wheel. This is on a '79 with 7.5" discs in the front and spacered drums in the rear.
I'm wanting to run the Cooper S rims as my daily drivers hoping the wheel/tire combo will not stick out much (if at all) beyond the original body lines (without flares). So I'm a bit worried a 165 width may be too fat on a 4.5" wide wheel and either look funny and/or stick out more than I'd like.
I currently have 5x10 Mambas and they stick out a ton (which I knew going in) but I don't like the look as much as I hoped and the 165/70 A032 tires constantly pick up stuff from the road. I'll save them for autocrossing.
Thanks all.
The 145/80/10 tires were the factory size (for radials) for that rim. (Bias ply tires had a slightly different measuring system and were something like 5.20-10.)
I've had 165/70/10 tires on 5" wheels, both steel and alloy. They fit great. I haven't tried that size on 4.5" wheels, but I think they would work.