Help again. Q`s about front runner`s

I found a Weld Drag lite its a 15x3.5" rim. Cost is good at 109$, I like this and I would have a true skinny.

My question is, the only tire I can find to fit it is a biasply tire, its a Mickey Thompson, 26x7.5x15, suggested rim size is 3.5"-6.5". Is running a bias ply tire with radials on the back going to be a problem?
Should I just put them on at the track?
At high speeds will the mismatch (radial-rear, biasply-front) present any problems I should be worried about?
Also should I get the 4 ply (under 3000LB car) or 8 ply (over 3000lb car)? My car weighs in at about 3100-3200 with me in it.

Thanks again.
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What make is your car, & predicted e.t.? If its sees miles during the week your better off having a set of street rims/tires and a set for the track. If your not competing to put food on the table get some 15x6's and some radial 195/70/15's

I have 3.5" wide rims on the front. About the only STREET RADIALS that will fit on them are VW Bug tires. These are 165R15. They fit the rim and wheelwell fine, but are not very big to be doing duty on the front of a V8. I have to keep mine pumped up to around 50psi to keep them from looking like they are low on air. (no problems from this over the last several years, though)

If I had it to do over again, I'd use a slightly wider rim (4"-5&quot[img]/phpBB/images/smiles/icon_wink.gif[/img] and go with the next larger radial... Either a 185 or 195/75/15. These tires are just too big for the 3.5" rim.

Drag only front tires wear out immedietly on the street, plus they are very thin for weight reduction, and are VERY prone to road hazards that wouldn't even think about damaging a street radial.

FWIW, I've never had any problems with mixing radials and bias ply tires.

Good Luck!
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I run 14 x 6 front rims and shop at the used tire store for new takeoffs in the 185~195-75x14 size area. Those closely approximate the diameter of the rear tires and they drive OK on the road while being fairly narrow. My current pair actually have straight grooves (I think they are AquaTreads) and even LOOK kinda like a drag tire. They have a max inflation rating of 45 psi and that's where I keep them.

I've noticed sidewall checking on one, so it's time to go shopping again. Bummer.
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I've ran the Weld 3.5" fronts & the 4.8" wide MT's (go for 8 ply...there's no need to cut costs for safety & they dont weigh/cost that much more) on my '66 Stang for a while...Those rubbers lasted about 8 months, not too good, but i drove it every day on the street w/ radials on the back & I had no problems with flats or weather...you do however have to be extra carfull on the freeway (sharp turns, etc.) but other than that they looked bad ass & I never had any problems...

- Patrick

P.S. - I also have manual steering/brakes [img]/phpBB/images/smiles/icon_eek.gif[/img]
P.S. again - I bought my wheels for $100 each at my local speed shop so you aren't getting that good of a deal if they're used...

Something just as a comment - most of us that have entered that gray area between a street car and a trailered race car need to be way more alert about what we're doing in the car at any particular instance. Radials on one end and bias on the other has always been warned against because of the different handling charateristics of the tires. But when you're running 4-5" of max inflated rubber on the front and 10+" of stick on the back, a locker, adjustable shocks, soft springs, traction bars, etc, etc - there's not a heck of a lot of "handling" left. That said, when we set our cars up like this we are aware of the effect of the changes and we (typically) adjust our driving technique to compensate. I did - after scaring the hell out of myself a few times. [img]/phpBB/images/smiles/icon_rolleyes.gif[/img]

So something that might be totally nuts for and everyday driver is perfectly cool in the right hands. That's a hell of a justification for the big & littles, eh? [img]/phpBB/images/smiles/icon_lol.gif[/img]

Just be careful - the other goofball rubberneckers and cell yackin' soccer moms/dads will take you out.

Thanks again guys.

I will most likely get the 15x4 rim and put that 165x15 tire that I found at Less Schwab. I am haveing an issue finding a decent good looking rim though.

It is a radial and they are only 38 bucks a piece, I can live with that.

Does that sound like the best way to go?

Compared to the 16X8 rims and the large front tires with the 8.5" contact patch, there should be some noticeable gains I hope.

I am on my way to getting in the 11`s with all motor.

Scott, to answer your question, I have a 65 fastback, 89gt roller motor converted to carburation, it runs 12.50`s on a hot summer days at around 110 mph, That is why I call it the Nastystang. BTW it has 4:11`s with a 5 speed.
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That horse DOES run. And runs well. Cool.

I've ran the Weld 3.5" fronts & the 4.8" wide MT's (go for 8 ply...there's no need to cut costs for safety & they dont weigh/cost that much more) on my '66 Stang for a while...Those rubbers lasted about 8 months, not too good, but i drove it every day on the street w/ radials on the back & I had no problems with flats or weather...you do however have to be extra carfull on the freeway (sharp turns, etc.) but other than that they looked bad ass & I never had any problems...

- Patrick

P.S. - I also have manual steering/brakes [img]/phpBB/images/smiles/icon_eek.gif[/img]
P.S. again - I bought my wheels for $100 each at my local speed shop so you aren't getting that good of a deal if they're used...

being in the tire industry, i might make a suggestion.. You would be better served at the track with running a bias ply tire on the front with bias slicks on the rear.. your car would handle very strangely with radials on the front as i have used this set up on my 1985 mustang.. If you have not yet purchased the rear tires i would suggest the bfg drag radial in conjuction with the 165/15's radials on the front.