• Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech

daily driver.... size tires/wheel up front?

  • Thread starter Thread starter NightLife
  • Start date Start date Oct 10, 2004

NightLife

Member
Sep 11, 2003
284
0
16
Tampa, FL
Oct 10, 2004
#1
  • Oct 10, 2004
  • #1
hey ya'll what size tire/wheel combo would/could you run safely up front in a daily driven stang?

thinking of a 205/45 R15 so that would be a 15"x5" weldracing draglite

while im on the topic, possible to run weld racing draglites on the street daily?

the combo would be

the 205/45 15's in the front

and nitto 275/50/15's in the rear....

how much will handling suffer?

risk of cracking a rim?

thanks

chad
 

Michael Yount

Mustang Master
Apr 10, 2002
9,039
6
79
Charlotte, NC
Oct 10, 2004
#2
  • Oct 10, 2004
  • #2
Your Mustang has almost 60% of it's weight on the front tires. Under heavy braking it's more like 80%. The front tires have to turn and stop the car. Be certain the (smaller) tire you're putting on the front has enough load rating to handle what might be asked of it in an emergency manuver or emegency stop.

As you might imagine, I'm not a fan of skinnies on the front of cars driven on the street. They severely compromise the handling and stopping abilities of a car, especially one with a heavy front end weight bias. You're not exactly proposing skinnies - but it is a much smaller tire and wheel than came on the car stock. I wouldn't go any smaller than a 215 section tire, and for that tire I wouldn't go any smaller than a 6" wide wheel - 7" would be better.
 

NightLife

Member
Sep 11, 2003
284
0
16
Tampa, FL
Oct 10, 2004
#3
  • Oct 10, 2004
  • #3
Michael Yount said:
Your Mustang has almost 60% of it's weight on the front tires. Under heavy braking it's more like 80%. The front tires have to turn and stop the car. Be certain the (smaller) tire you're putting on the front has enough load rating to handle what might be asked of it in an emergency manuver or emegency stop.

As you might imagine, I'm not a fan of skinnies on the front of cars driven on the street. They severely compromise the handling and stopping abilities of a car, especially one with a heavy front end weight bias. You're not exactly proposing skinnies - but it is a much smaller tire and wheel than came on the car stock. I wouldn't go any smaller than a 215 section tire, and for that tire I wouldn't go any smaller than a 6" wide wheel - 7" would be better.
Click to expand...


appreciate your opnion and thats my concern. and i was thinking of 215's on a 6"....

any other opinons out there guys?
 

5spd GT

"the 5.0 owns all"
Founding Member
Aug 7, 2002
9,516
6
99
Arkansas
Oct 10, 2004
#4
  • Oct 10, 2004
  • #4
I have 245/50/16's all around on my car...makes it look stout...and handles surprisingly well on the stock 7in ponies...I won't go any smaller or bigger on these rims...
 

5.0fox

Member
Feb 10, 2003
410
0
17
buckley/enumclaw wa
Oct 10, 2004
#5
  • Oct 10, 2004
  • #5
i have 165/15 and 275/50/15's and i think it stops suprisingly well. handling isnt to good though
 

Michael Yount

Mustang Master
Apr 10, 2002
9,039
6
79
Charlotte, NC
Oct 10, 2004
#6
  • Oct 10, 2004
  • #6
5spd - those 245 tires could really benefit from an 8" wide wheel. The 7" is really too narrow for them.

5.0fox - I'll promise you if you and another similar weight/similar brakes Stang with 225 tires on the front compared stopping distances, they would stop MUCH shorter in an emergency panic stop than you're capable of with the 165's on the front.
 

mob

the guy who hits on his mom
20+ Year Stangneter
Oct 3, 2003
2,566
136
104
Dallas, TX
Oct 10, 2004
#7
  • Oct 10, 2004
  • #7
didnt read the other posts but i have nitto 555 zr's all around on 9' cobra r's. They are 275/40/17 all around. The front rubs alot on the inside fender, i am really afraid to turn with it. I wouldnt suggest 9' in the front at all. I dont really feel a sacrafice in turning, i just feel really soft tires and alot of grip

Pics:


 

Attachments

  • d46dcc95.webp
    12 KB · Views: 184
  • 25701589.webp
    15.6 KB · Views: 166

5spd GT

"the 5.0 owns all"
Founding Member
Aug 7, 2002
9,516
6
99
Arkansas
Oct 10, 2004
#8
  • Oct 10, 2004
  • #8
Michael Yount said:
5spd - those 245 tires could really benefit from an 8" wide wheel. The 7" is really too narrow for them.
Click to expand...

Yes I know they would...8in would be perfect...245/45/17's come on the 17x8 inch wheels on 99+ Gt's from the factory...so that shows right there it is a good all-around tire...

I like the look and I can't afford new rims (because if I was I would convert over to 5-lug)...so that is why I keep them...

I don't like the look of a skinny tire up front and bigger out back...and I wanted some added traction (245) and since I don't like the skinny-fat look I went with 245's up front...you'd be surprised how little they actually stick out from the rim lip and how they handle...
 

NightLife

Member
Sep 11, 2003
284
0
16
Tampa, FL
Oct 10, 2004
#9
  • Oct 10, 2004
  • #9
well heres what ive decided to go with....

215/50/15's on a 15"x7" rim for the front.

275/50/15's on a 15"x10" rim for the rear.

BFGoodrich G-force sport tires for the front.

Nitto 555R's for the rear.

hows that sound?
 

mob

the guy who hits on his mom
20+ Year Stangneter
Oct 3, 2003
2,566
136
104
Dallas, TX
Oct 10, 2004
#10
  • Oct 10, 2004
  • #10
sounds good imo, i bet your going to love those 555r's, not sure how the bfgoodrich are but sounds good imo
 
C

Clean_pony

New Member
Jul 26, 2004
38
0
0
Oct 10, 2004
#11
  • Oct 10, 2004
  • #11
I have 274/40/17 rear 235/40/17 front... they are Falken Tires and I love them.. they seem to last a lot longer then any other tire i've had.. and with the cross drilled rotors.. they stop MUCH better then stock. I also have Sport line shocks... I've been over 140mph and can still make safe lane changes.. and I drive the car 70+kms a day..
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Wheel backspacing
  • Brad Hanks
  • Sep 25, 2025
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
8
Views
491
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Sep 25, 2025
Brad Hanks
H
Best tire size for 91 Fox 18x9 wheels. On coilovers
  • hassler
  • Mar 25, 2026
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
11
Views
414
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- May 9, 2026
KRUISR
B
Tire size question 1986 gt hatchback
  • B0udreaux
  • Jan 12, 2026
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
6
Views
578
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Jan 17, 2026
B0udreaux
B
G
Fox Tire Size for 16" Pony Wheels on 1984 LX Convertible
  • gw7
  • Jun 24, 2026
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
1
Views
89
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Jun 24, 2026
Mustang5L5
O
SOLD FS: 18" FR500 chrome wheels and Toyo tires
  • optionizerSS
  • May 21, 2026
  • Other Classifieds
Replies
1
Views
106
Other Classifieds Jun 2, 2026
optionizerSS
O
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?