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Best Tire for 17 X 10.5 Rims?

  • Thread starter Thread starter joshheat25
  • Start date Start date Dec 12, 2004
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scsilvergt

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Oct 28, 2001
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Houston, TX
Dec 14, 2004
#21
  • Dec 14, 2004
  • #21
Can you run 275/40/17's on a 17X10.5? I already have DR's and didn't want to buy new tires, but I wanted to get the rims for XMAS. If I need new tires I will have to hold off on the rims.

Thanks,

Lance
 

sawman70

New Member
Nov 15, 2004
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Cleveland Ohio Area
Dec 14, 2004
#22
  • Dec 14, 2004
  • #22
I highly recommend the 315/35/17 BFGoodrich KD's if you don't drive in the snow/rain much or KDW's if you do.

Great tires. Made in the USA.
 

GulfCoastMustang

Founding Member
Jun 22, 2000
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Winston-Salem, NC
Dec 14, 2004
#23
  • Dec 14, 2004
  • #23
scsilvergt said:
Can you run 275/40/17's on a 17X10.5? I already have DR's and didn't want to buy new tires, but I wanted to get the rims for XMAS. If I need new tires I will have to hold off on the rims.

Thanks,

Lance
Click to expand...
Most 275/40's are spec'd for up to an 11" wheel, so they should fit great on a 10.5". Here's a pic of my 285/40's on a 17x10.5 wheel...
 

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mnauta

New Member
Jan 15, 2002
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Austin, TX
Jun 4, 2005
#24
  • Jun 4, 2005
  • #24
GulfCoastMustang said:
Most 275/40's are spec'd for up to an 11" wheel, so they should fit great on a 10.5". Here's a pic of my 285/40's on a 17x10.5 wheel...
Click to expand...

How is the space between the tire and exhaust? any rubbing? I just got in my 17x9 black bullits and I am waiting on 10.5 to come in for the back.

Thanks
Manuel
 
D

dod racing

New Member
Dec 13, 2003
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Jun 4, 2005
#25
  • Jun 4, 2005
  • #25
Another vote for the Goodyear GS-D3
315/35ZR-17 102Y VSB
$277.00 ea. at discounttiredirect.com

Specifications:
Treadwear: 280
Traction: A
Temperature: A
Speed Rating: ZR

http://www.discounttiredirect.com/direct/findTireDetail.do?sw=false&cs=315&pc=31379&rd=17&ar=35
 

def1eppard

Founding Member
Apr 28, 2002
889
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DFW, TX
Jun 4, 2005
#26
  • Jun 4, 2005
  • #26
joshheat25 said:
So I went with sumatoma HTR's and they pretty much sucked!
Click to expand...

You keep saying that the Sumitomo's suck, but you haven't given any reason. Why do they suck?
 

GulfCoastMustang

Founding Member
Jun 22, 2000
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Jun 6, 2005
#27
  • Jun 6, 2005
  • #27
def1eppard said:
You keep saying that the Sumitomo's suck, but you haven't given any reason. Why do they suck?
Click to expand...
I don't know about him, but my main complaint with the Sumitomo HTR's were tread wear (got about 15k-18k miles out of them) and wet traction (much improved with Goodyear Eagle F1 GSD3's).
 

GulfCoastMustang

Founding Member
Jun 22, 2000
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Winston-Salem, NC
Jun 6, 2005
#28
  • Jun 6, 2005
  • #28
mnauta said:
How is the space between the tire and exhaust? any rubbing? I just got in my 17x9 black bullits and I am waiting on 10.5 to come in for the back.

Thanks
Manuel
Click to expand...
The factory exhaust has a "dimple" right where there might be any tire rubbing, so I've never had any problems. If you've got an aftermarket exhaust, though, you might get some rubbing.
 

joshheat25

Member
Nov 8, 2004
871
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Delaware
Nov 9, 2005
#29
  • Nov 9, 2005
  • #29
I Get Some rubbing, Yea Sumitoma's last about 15- 20 Thousand Miles But if The Good years only last about 20 to 25 as I have seen in a few threads than in price to performance comparison!!! 110 for sumitomas and 275 for Goodyear Well The GoodYears may get better wet traction but who races in the rain?? The Sumi's get good enough traction I mean enough to stop you from hitting a ditch! I Would Advise anyone to get the Sumitoma tires they are the Better "BANG FOR THE BUCK"
 

GulfCoastMustang

Founding Member
Jun 22, 2000
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Nov 10, 2005
#30
  • Nov 10, 2005
  • #30
joshheat25 said:
I Get Some rubbing, Yea Sumitoma's last about 15- 20 Thousand Miles But if The Good years only last about 20 to 25 as I have seen in a few threads than in price to performance comparison!!! 110 for sumitomas and 275 for Goodyear Well The GoodYears may get better wet traction but who races in the rain?? The Sumi's get good enough traction I mean enough to stop you from hitting a ditch! I Would Advise anyone to get the Sumitoma tires they are the Better "BANG FOR THE BUCK"
Click to expand...

Don't forget to consider the cost of mountaing and balancing 2x for the Sumitomos during the length of time the Goodyear GSD3's will last. It still might come out in favor of the Sumi's as far as actuall dollars go, but I'd take the GSD3's any day.

I know plenty of people who race in the rain (Wet AutoX, anyone?), but that is beside the point. You'll be thankful for that wet traction when you're going down the highway, hit a patch of standing water, and DON'T get tossed into a ditch on the side of the road.

Now, the HTR Z II's are a different story. But the last time I checked, they weren't available in 315/35's.

If you're really concerned about price/performance and not just going after the "steamroller" look with the 315's - step down to a 285/40 tire. A TON more options in that size, and I believe you get the same contact patch since the 285 is a much better fitment for the 10.5"W wheel.
 

joshheat25

Member
Nov 8, 2004
871
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16
Delaware
Nov 10, 2005
#31
  • Nov 10, 2005
  • #31
So a 285/40/17 Will work with a 10.5 inch rim??? hmm well I might look into that! But The Sumitomas aren't that bad and besides they are in the rear not the front! I have some Nitto 555 R out front Which are the Best tire I have used by far!! they lasted 40,000 miles never rotated and are about done!
 
T

tjm73

Founding Member
Aug 3, 2000
2,418
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48
Rush, NY
Nov 10, 2005
#32
  • Nov 10, 2005
  • #32
How many times will this question be asked?
 

GulfCoastMustang

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Nov 10, 2005
#33
  • Nov 10, 2005
  • #33
A 285/40R17 fits the 17x10.5's even better than the 315's, in my opinion. Unless you like that bulging sidewall, squeeze-the-biggest-tahr-I-kin-fit-on-muh-Camero-look.

Here's the 15k mile 315/35 Sumi (note the wear concentrated around the center - not much of a contact patch)...


Here are the 285/40 Goodyear GSD3's. Perfect fit...
 

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tjm73

Founding Member
Aug 3, 2000
2,418
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Rush, NY
Nov 10, 2005
#34
  • Nov 10, 2005
  • #34
GulfCoastMustang said:
Here's the 15k mile 315/35 Sumi (note the wear concentrated around the center - not much of a contact patch)...
Click to expand...

I see a red x for an image. But no matter, even without seeing the picture if a tire is worn more in the center than the outer edges, that's not a function of the tire being too wide for the rim, it's a function of the owner over inflating his tire.

If you lay a tape measure across a 10.5" wide wheel it will measure 11.5" wide outside edge to outside edge. 11.5" is equal to 292.1mm. Therefor the minimum tire that should be used on that wheel is a 292mm in width. No one makes that. 285 is too narrow. The wheel is wider than the tread surface. Since no one makes a 292/XX-17" tire the next size is 315. That's why 315 is the best size tire for a 10.5" wheel.

By your logic a 225 width tire on an 8" factory GT wheel would look best. As we all know the 245 that comes on them is almost too narrow.

It's not about buldging sidewalls or not. It's about proper fitment. And to some degree what looks best. In this case, the 315/35R17 fits best and looks best.
 

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GulfCoastMustang

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Jun 22, 2000
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Nov 10, 2005
#35
  • Nov 10, 2005
  • #35
Try following these links...
285/40
http://www.plantedtank.net/imageh/images/11/EageF1_04.jpg

315/35
http://www.plantedtank.net/imageh/images/11/Tire_Wear.JPG

Regarding overinflation, I noticed the center wear pattern early on and took the tires down below 20 psi and they continued to wear straight down the middle.

A wheel's width is measured from inside lip to inside lip, not outside edges. You also have to take into account that 315mm is the nominal size. Every manufacturer is different, but the Sumitomos were just on the big side for a 10.5. Not all 285's may fit as well as the GSD3's. Take a look at the pics before you say what looks and fits best.

One thing is for sure, the 285 GSD3's had a ton more traction than the 315 Sumi's.
 
T

tjm73

Founding Member
Aug 3, 2000
2,418
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Rush, NY
Nov 10, 2005
#36
  • Nov 10, 2005
  • #36
There are 3 principles I live by when it comes to fitting tires to rims.

1.) Width: Proper tire/wheel matching must follow the 'Width Principle'. That principle is the tire cross section must be equal to, or larger, than the wheel width plus 1 inch when the wheel with is converted to the metric measure meant the tire width represents. EXAMPLE - 8" wheel + 1" = 9" or 228.6mm. The tire MUST be 228.6mm or larger to look right on the wheel.

2.) Sidewall Height: My 'Sidewall Height Principle' dictates that, regardless of wheel diameter, the vertical sidewall height of the front tire must not be taller than the vertical sidewall height of the rear tire. The rear sidewall height must be equal to ,or taller, than the front sidewall height. Few things look worse than this situation when the front tire has more sidewall height than the rear.

3.) Sidewall Buldge: This last principle, the 'Sidewall Buldge Principle", is similar to the 'Sidewall Height Principle'. The sidewall buldge of the front tire must not be more than the sidewall buldge of the rear tire. The rear sidewall buldge must be equal to ,or more, than the front sidewall buldge. Again, few things look worse than this situation when the front tire sidewall buldge is wider than the rear sidewall buldge.
 
T

tjm73

Founding Member
Aug 3, 2000
2,418
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48
Rush, NY
Nov 10, 2005
#37
  • Nov 10, 2005
  • #37
GulfCoastMustang said:
A wheel's width is measured from inside lip to inside lip, not outside edges.
Click to expand...

Fully aware of this. Doesn't change anything. See my principles for my reasoning.

BTW - links don't work for me either for some reason. I would like to see the pics if possible.

GulfCoastMustang said:
You also have to take into account that 315mm is the nominal size. Every manufacturer is different, but the Sumitomos were just on the big side for a 10.5. Not all 285's may fit as well as the GSD3's. Take a look at the pics before you say what looks and fits best.
Click to expand...

Agreed. This is why I created my principles for guidelines. Nothing makes them absolutes. If I can locate actual measured width data, I will take those measuremetns into account in choosing tires. Soemtimes those specs are not available and the principles that I developed give a 'safe buffer' as I call it.

GulfCoastMustang said:
One thing is for sure, the 285 GSD3's had a ton more traction than the 315 Sumi's
Click to expand...

That may well be a function of the quality of the tire rather than a function of width. Rubber compound adhesive qualities in the Goodyear tires are surely a higher grade than the Sumitomo's.
 

GulfCoastMustang

Founding Member
Jun 22, 2000
1,477
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Winston-Salem, NC
Nov 10, 2005
#38
  • Nov 10, 2005
  • #38
I agree that the sidewall bulge should match forward and back. I believe the GSD3 285 on the 17x10.5 matches the 245 on the 17x8 in the front.

Looking at the specs for these tires, the 285/40 GSD3 has a Section Width of 11.3" while the 315/35 Sumitomo has a Sect. Width of 12.6.

The recommended Rim Width range are as follows:
285 GSD3: 9.5 - 11"
315 Sumi: 10-12"

The 10.5" wheel is at the bottom end of the range for the 315 and at the top of the range for the 285. Arguing about which looks better is futile. Opinions are like... well, you know.

If you like a sidewall to bulge, go with the 315's. If you like a sidewall that is squared off, or with a slight inclination (like most European cars), go with the 285's.
 

GulfCoastMustang

Founding Member
Jun 22, 2000
1,477
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0
Winston-Salem, NC
Nov 10, 2005
#39
  • Nov 10, 2005
  • #39
Try these links.
http://www.plantedtank.net/imageh/images/11/Tire_Wear.JPG
http://www.plantedtank.net/imageh/images/11/EageF1_04.jpg
 

trailblazr81

Member
May 17, 2003
571
0
16
Hollister, Cali
Nov 10, 2005
#40
  • Nov 10, 2005
  • #40
Well the links worked fine for me... And the only vehicle I like alot of bulge on is my 73 Chevy truck with big mudders. And maybe if I had an old Chevelle with 14 inch wide wrinkle sidewall slicks on it. Also personally for now Im gonna stay away with 315's cuz knowing my luck they wont fit with my exhaust. I should have some 17x10.5's within a week and am looking at 275 or 285's. Both will work for 9.5-11 inch rims.
 
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