S30 Wheel Specifications
Every S30 Z rolled on 14 inch wheels with a 4-lug, 114.3mm (4.5") bolt pattern. What changed over the years was the wheel width, the tires, the hub caps, and the arrival of factory aluminum wheels on the later 280Z. The specs below come from the factory service manual for each year.
The Basics
| Diameter | 14 inch, all years |
| Bolt pattern | 4 x 114.3mm (4 x 4.5") |
| Offset | 15mm (0.59") on both the steel and aluminum factory wheels |
| Width | 4½J early 240Z; 5J steel from October 1971; 5½J factory aluminum on the 1977–78 280Z |
| Lug nut torque | 58–65 ft-lb (8.0–9.0 kg-m), tightened in a criss-cross pattern |
- Several of the manuals describe "five bolts" and print the offset as "15 mm (0.95 in)". Both are misprints: the S30 is a 4-lug car, the 1976 manual says four bolts, and the 1978 manual corrects the offset to 0.59 in.
- The wheel bolts to the front hub or rear axle flange; see Hub Differences for the hub and rotor changes that affect wheel fitment.
By Year
U.S. cars, from each year's factory service manual (WT section). Tap a year to open that manual.
| Year | Wheels | Tires | Spare |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970–71 240Z | 14 x 4½J steel | SR-rated radials; HR-rated from February 1971 | Full size |
| 1972–73 240Z | 5J-14 steel | 175HR-14 radial, tubeless | Full size |
| 1974 260Z | 5J-14 steel | 175HR-14 radial, tubeless | Full size |
| 1975 280Z | 5J-14 steel | 175HR-14 radial, tubeless; 195/70VR14 optional | Full size |
| 1976 280Z | 5J-14 steel | 175HR-14 or 195/70HR14 radial | Full size |
| 1977 280Z | 5J-14 steel, or 5½J-14 aluminum | 175HR-14 or 195/70HR-14 radial, tubeless | C78-14 space saver |
| 1978 280Z | 5J-14 steel, or 5½J-14 aluminum | 195/70HR-14 radial, tubeless | C78-14 folding spare, 50 mph max |
- The 1970–71 width and tire ratings come from the running changes in February and October 1971 (see Model Year Differences); there is no 1970–71 service manual WT section in our library to confirm the tire size.
- The 1977 280Z got a larger fuel tank that took room from the spare well, which is why the spare changed to a space saver.
- Outside the U.S., the 1972 manual lists 6.45H14 bias-ply tires as standard, with 165HR-14 radials or 6.95H14 bias-ply optional.
Tire Pressures
Factory pressures, measured cold, front and rear.
| Tire | Under 100 mph | Over 100 mph |
|---|---|---|
| Radials (175HR-14, 195/70HR-14, 165HR-14) | 28 psi (2.0 kg/cm²) | 32 psi (2.3 kg/cm²) |
| Bias-ply (6.45H14, 6.95H14) | 24 psi (1.7 kg/cm²) | 32 psi (2.3 kg/cm²) |
The 1977–78 space saver spare is for emergency use only, at no more than 50 mph. Modern replacement tires may call for different pressures; check the tire maker's recommendation.
Hub Caps and Factory Alloys
- 1970–early 1971: steel wheels with hub caps that have curved rectangular openings and a "D" (Datsun) center emblem.
- From October 1971: flat-face "teardrop" hub caps with softer triangular openings and a "Z" emblem. These are the easiest way to tell a 1972 from a late 1971 if the car still has its original wheels.
- 1977–78 280Z: factory 5½J-14 aluminum wheels were offered alongside the steel wheels. The same style came on the 1978 Black Pearl, and Australian 260Zs had them as standard.
To bring old hub caps back, see Hub Cap Restoration.
Japanese Market
This Japanese Fairlady Z brochure page, headed "Michelin tires and aluminum road wheels", describes the wheels for each trim level:
- Z-T: Michelin steel-belted radials on 5½J-14 aluminum wheels.
- Z-L: 195/70HR-14 steel-belted radials.
- Z: 175SR14 steel-belted radials.
The brochure also says every Z rides on radial tires. It doesn't say which wheels the Z-L and Z used; the aluminum wheel is named only for the Z-T.
Aftermarket Wheels
Aluminum slot mags were one of the most common upgrades on S30s in the 1970s and are still a period-correct look. When shopping for any aftermarket wheel, check:
- Bolt pattern: 4 x 114.3mm (4 x 4.5"). Many 4-lug wheels are 4 x 100 or 4 x 110 and won't fit.
- Offset and width: the factory wheel is 15mm offset. A much lower offset or a much wider wheel can rub the fenders or strut, especially at the rear.
- Center bore: make sure the wheel clears the hub and grease cap.
- Lug nuts: use nuts with the seat that matches the wheel. Alloy wheels often need different nuts than the factory steel wheels.
Sources Used
- Datsun 240Z, 260Z and 280Z Factory Service Manuals (1972–1978), section WT
- Nissan Fairlady Z sales brochure (Japan)
- Supercar Nostalgia, for the 1970–71 wheel width and hub cap change
- VicZcar: S30 Buyers Guide, for Australian 260Z wheels