I found out that I don't have the money to get new rims for my Z so I'll be refurbishing my stock rims. I don't know what width they are but they are stock for a 76 280Z and right now they have 195/70/14 on them. Will I be able to fit a 215 width tire on those rims? What is the widest tire I could fit? Some of you have 225/60/14s, are those on stock 280 rims?

Edited January 5, 200916 yr by Hoss

Stock steel 280Z rims are 5.0" wide. Those are definitely too narrow for a 225, and realistically too narrow for the 215s too. You might be able to squeeze 215s on them, but pinched on a narrow wheel like that they will not give any handling benefit, and might even drive worse than the stock 195s.

Just searched and found this thread. Question - is the 280Z rim the same size as the '72-'73 240Z rim? I know in '71 the stock rim was slightly smaller width-wise.

I have the opportunity to get some stock rims - they are off a '77, but I want to be sure the rims are the right size for my '72.

As I recall it, the '70 and '71 240Zs all used the 4.5" rim. They went to 5.0" in '72, and used that through the end of the 280Z in '78. ZXs with steel rims came with 5.5" wide.

The steel rims are all interchangeable. And since they are all have obvious date-codes, if you are looking for the "correct" rims you need some from a car of similar build date. If all you are concerned with is matching the factory spec, any '72-78 stock rim will be suitable. If you just want stock look but the ability to use a bit wider tire, use the ZX rims with your hubcaps. Painted properly, they will look essentially the same.

I didn't realize they had a date code. That being said, my preference would be rims off of a '72, but given that these '77 rims are free, I'll take 'em.

Not only are they dated, but the date code is the most obvious code on the entire car, after the door jamb plate. Right on the face of the rim.

  Arne said:

Not only are they dated, but the date code is the most obvious code on the entire car, after the door jamb plate. Right on the face of the rim.

Yes, but the steel wheel date codes are also covered by the hubcaps, so unless you take the hubcaps off, the date codes are not visible at all.

-Mike

Right - the plan is to put the teardrop hubcaps on.

No plans to have my car a concours car. However, I do want to appear as original. One day, I'll get the proper rims - given the price of these, it's a no brainer.

  Arne said:

If you just want stock look but the ability to use a bit wider tire, use the ZX rims with your hubcaps.

So far as I know, all ZX (s130) models came with alloys (with the exception of the spare, of course) so hubcaps will not be usable.

Edited February 26, 200916 yr by zbane

  zbane said:

So far as I know, all ZX (s130) models came with alloys (with the exception of the spare, of course) so hubcaps will not be usable.

No, 14x5.5 steel wheels were standard on the base model 280ZX from '79-81. (14x6 Iron Crosses were optional.) Not sure about the '82 and '83 models. The '79-81 with steel rims came with these hubcaps.

  Arne said:

No, 14x5.5 steel wheels were standard on the base model 280ZX from '79-81. (14x6 Iron Crosses were optional.) Not sure about the '82 and '83 models. The '79-81 with steel rims came with these hubcaps.

Something new every day, thanks for that! I've seen those caps fitted on a zx, but thought they were alloys-I did see them from a distance.

Yeah clarification!

Yep. I had those wheels and hubcaps on one of the 78 510s (A10) that I owned. Bought them at a 1/2 price sale at Ecology auto wrecking years ago. They came off a ZX though I don't recall the year but I think I paid something like $40 total for the rims, hubcaps and tires which were Michelins with about 95% of the thread left. Gone are the days!

Edited February 26, 200916 yr by sblake01