[92GTA]

So my 69 has it's original Rally II wheels, option code 454. It's also a power front disc brake car.

As I understand it, for 1969 they were 14x7 instead of 14x6, is that correct?

Also that the spare would have been a 5th Rally II looking wheel, no center cap, painted grey, but only 5" wide with a full size tire on it and not a space saver, is that correct?

Lastly, my car is a Jan 1969 build car but has what I believe are the original red PMD center caps on the wheels. But I've read that they should be black, can anyone verify that before I toss these and buy a set of black ones?

I'd also like to know what the largest width tire (245?) is that I can run and what size would be the stock height (70?)?

Thanks!

[FBird69]

14x7 = Yes
Spare = space saver in mine
Red PMD = yes
Tire = BFGoodrich T/A 215/70R14 on mine, fit fine without mods

[north]

All 69 Firebirds used 14x7 wheels (RII or otherwise) except ohc6 1 bbl cars which used 14x6.

I never heard that the spare (non space saver) would be smaller than the others, and they never made a 14x5 RII.

Center caps were balck for all of 69 and early 70 models (black means the actual PMD lettering is red).

Remember that when figuring out if your car was built with a regular or space saver spare that early cars (up to mid March 69) had the space saver as standard equipment and a fullsize spare was a NC option so it won't appear on the PHS either way (no charge options do not appear on the PHS). After mid March the space saver spare became optional and therefore was extra charge. So if nothing shows on the PHS of these later cars you had the fullsize and if you see the spare tire option you know your car had a space saver.

The only way to know for sure which spare your early 69 Fbird came with is to have a buildsheet.

[92GTA]

Thanks guys.

Mine is a Jan 69 build so I guess if it was full size and that was a NC option, I would never know. Which is good because I plan on using a full size in case I ever actually need it lol.

My center caps are red with black PMD lettering.

[north]

You can search other threads for more detailed info but definitely all 69's had black center caps with the change over happening during the 70 model year.

[92GTA]

Ok.

So would the full size spare have used the same space saver spare rim? What rim should I look for to run full size?

On the regular wheels I guess I can run a 235/60-14 then, get some more width and reduce side-wall a bit.

[north]

No, the fullsize spare would be the same as whatever the other four roadwheels were.

[92GTA]

Ok cool.

I just pulled the trigger on a 14x6 that was epoxy primer grey and only $36 including shipping. I'll put like a 195 size spare on it.

I know it's not restoration correct and I'm not even sure if it will clear front disc brakes, but it was cheap and I needed a spare lol.

[Held for Ransom]

Originally Posted by north

All 69 Firebirds used 14x7 wheels (RII or otherwise) except ohc6 1 bbl cars which used 14x6.

I never heard that the spare (non space saver) would be smaller than the others, and they never made a 14x5 RII.

Center caps were balck for all of 69 and early 70 models (black means the actual PMD lettering is red).

Remember that when figuring out if your car was built with a regular or space saver spare that early cars (up to mid March 69) had the space saver as standard equipment and a fullsize spare was a NC option so it won't appear on the PHS either way (no charge options do not appear on the PHS). After mid March the space saver spare became optional and therefore was extra charge. So if nothing shows on the PHS of these later cars you had the fullsize and if you see the spare tire option you know your car had a space saver.

The only way to know for sure which spare your early 69 Fbird came with is to have a buildsheet.

I could have sworn my '69 Firebird convertible had 14x6 Rally II's (350/2 bbl/2 speed auto).

[Tfisher15]

My '69 convertible, original 350 2 bbl has 14 X 6 rally II's.

[Ram4king]

14x7 is the only correct wheel used. JK by the valve stem

[92GTA]

Cool, thanks! I'll check for the correct JK code on the front by the valve stem when I get back to the car.

Alex

['ol Pinion head]

Originally Posted by Ram4king

14x7 is the only correct wheel used. JK by the valve stem

Respectfully disagree, have pulled too many date matching small letter JA 14x6's off base '69 Birds. The 14x7 JK coded rallyII was at least used as the optional rallyII wheel on '69 400 Birds, Sprint6 Birds, & T/A's up till the point it was replaced with the JM coded 14x7 rallyII's. Have never ran across a 14x7 JK coded rally II that was built in July of '69... JM's were being produced by then, would be interesting to survey the last date stamped of original JK coded 14x7 rallyII's.

[Ram4king]

It's all good. You have your opinion. I believe I'm right thou.

[north]

I wasn't looking at Fbirds in my junkyard days in the 80's so I can't comment much on what they were built with in practice. The official line as documented by Pontiac is 7' wheels on all 69 Fbirds except with the 1bbl 6 which used 6". This is regardless of being equipped with RII's or not.

For what it's worth my hubcap equipped 69 Sprint Firebird has 7" rims, I can't recall the code at this moment but when I did look them up they matched the listing in the shop manual.

[FunctionalShaker]

Six cylinders got the 14x6 JC coded rallys, eights got the 14x7 JKs.

[Held for Ransom]

Pulled out the PHS on my old convert. No wonder they were 14x6's, originally had custom wheel discs. Thanks for setting me straight on it.

[mgoblue]

Regarding space saver spare vs full size spare, can't one tell by where the attachment bracket is welded to the trunk floor? There was one location for the space saver and a different location for the full size spare.

[92GTA]

Originally Posted by mgoblue

Regarding space saver spare vs full size spare, can't one tell by where the attachment bracket is welded to the trunk floor? There was one location for the space saver and a different location for the full size spare.

Good to know! Does anyone have pictures of these 2 bracket locations?

I would think then the space saver bracket would be so far into the corner that you couldn't even use it for a full size if you wanted to?

[nashcar]

Mine is an original owner 400 early March of 69 build. It has the 4 jk ralleys with the space saver HI 5" wheel. The spare mounts up tight to the bracing for the rear seat back.