Smooth (Or Smoothest) Sidewall Radials

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12many

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Searching for some 195/70-15 radials to replace some horrible handling Mickey Thompson 26x7.5 Sportsman tires. Good lord there are seemingly a gazillion brands out there especially from China along with the known brands. Problem I’m having is being able to tell what the sidewalls really look like for the tire size I’m looking for from crappy stock pictures. I don’t want the current trend of full sidewall ribs, with goofy splashes between big letters and logos, really looking for the cleanest minimal look as is possible with a radial. A tough one sure. Anyone using a 195/70-15?? Brand?
 
Yeah, good luck with that. I just looked at the two pair of pizza cutters i bought recently, and they are covered with letters, numbers, big brand names, and "styling" flourishes.
I guess it doesnt bother me, cause i cant do anything about it.
Diamondback tire does custom redlines on tires that dont normally come with them, and they shave the sidewalls. Maybe they can do something for you.
 
I won’t go to the extreme of sanding, just looking for something as plain Jane as possible, might look at a 205/65-15 which is where the choices are really endless.
 
I agree with your search, and I have not found any smooth sidewall tires. They are all goobered up with serrated areas and designs. Even pickup Sized LT tires. They are hard to clean on a driver car, lots of dirt around here.
 
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I agree with your search, and I have not found any smooth sidewall tires. They are all goobered up with serrated areas and designs. Even pickup Sized LT tires. They are hard to clean on a driver car, lots of dirt around here.
I’ve accepted that I’m not going to find what I really want. I’m wanting as clean a front skinny in a radial for decent handling. I have some Cooper Gt Radials that I had been running and while the stance and ride was nice, the big blocks and grooves on the tread to sidewall edges look like crap IMO.
9EF0CBDA-15FC-400C-B2DC-AF462D8ABF8F.jpeg
Everybody makes them like that! I did find something that has much cleaner or subdued tread/sidewall edges, looks to be a nice compromise: Gt Radial Maxtour
GT Radial.jpg
 
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Not a fan of all the graphics either but I go with Michelins despite them .
Michelins have the best ride and traction . And they are quiet ....
 
Ahhhh!!!.....about 30 minutes and a few beers, popped them Sportsmans off and spooned the new meats on. Hope they ride as good as I think they look! :)
E89A773E-7CF6-4277-8754-C3172F4F0E08.jpeg
 
I see you already got your new tire but thought I would add one to this conversation.
I ran a set of Cooper Treandsetter tires on the front for years. Just got the new set installed so I can get my car out again. I will add a picture showing the sidewall.
70E54D78-D9C7-4564-B6EF-BD64D7B7F5F0.jpeg
 
I see you already got your new tire but thought I would add one to this conversation.
I ran a set of Cooper Treandsetter tires on the front for years. Just got the new set installed so I can get my car out again. I will add a picture showing the sidewall. View attachment 1715766431

If you don't mind, what wheel studs and lug nuts do you use with your draglite wheels?
 
If you don't mind, what wheel studs and lug nuts do you use with your draglite wheels?


I bought mine from "Chopperlong" on Ebay here
They work great.

This is a new set of 20,chrome plated 1/2 x 20 mag wheel lug nuts,,the shank measures 1 and 3/8 long,,comes with 20 correct mag wheel washers,,these are used on some weld wheels,among others
 
If you don't mind, what wheel studs and lug nuts do you use with your draglite wheels?
It has stock short studs on the front disc brake rotors and closed long shank lug nuts with washers.
On the rear it has Moser axles with 3" studs, so it uses open long shank lug nuts with washers. The wheels and lug nuts were all purchased new about 20 years ago, so I do not have the part numbers. I am actually trying to find a second set of lug nuts and washers so when I find the right ones I will come back and update this with part numbers. I found a few, but I am looking for something in stock.
 
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It has stock short studs on the front disc brake rotors and closed long shank lug nuts with washers.
One the rear it has Moser axles with 3" studs, so it uses open long shank lug nuts with washers. The wheels and lug nuts were all purchased new about 20 years ago, so I do not have the part numbers. I am actually trying to find a second set of lug nuts and washers so when I find the right ones I will come back and up this with part numbers. I found a few, but I am looking for something in stock.

Thanks. I should've specified the fronts. I'm getting ready to put some draglites on the front of my 66 Dart and am curious if I can make the stock studs on the '73+ rotors work with shanked lugs, or if long studs and open lugs are necessary.
 
Thanks. I should've specified the fronts. I'm getting ready to put some draglites on the front of my 66 Dart and am curious if I can make the stock studs on the '73+ rotors work with shanked lugs, or if long studs and open lugs are necessary.

That will work perfectly. I have a lot of street and freeway miles on this setup on bumpy Michigan roads. Plenty of strength when long shank nuts are used.
Weld part number 601-1416 is the one I will likely order. They are the same length and style as my old nuts on the front.
Weld Racing 601-1416 Weld Racing Lug Nuts | Summit Racing
 
I see you already got your new tire but thought I would add one to this conversation.
I ran a set of Cooper Treandsetter tires on the front for years. Just got the new set installed so I can get my car out again. I will add a picture showing the sidewall. View attachment 1715766431
I actually was looking at those but the size I was looking for came in whitewall or maybe it wasn’t avail in the 205/65-15 I ended up with, I forget. They do have that desired clean black wall though. :thumbsup:
 
I actually was looking at those but the size I was looking for came in whitewall or maybe it wasn’t avail in the 205/65-15 I ended up with, I forget. They do have that desired clean black wall though. :thumbsup:
These are white wall too, but it’s only one side. Mounted them black wall out.
 
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