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

If 17x9 fit why not 18x9?

  • Thread starter Thread starter ricgt88
  • Start date Start date Apr 20, 2011
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ricgt88

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Jun 4, 1999
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Apr 20, 2011
#1
  • Apr 20, 2011
  • #1
Hi,

I have a 1990 GT convertible and I am looking to buy new wheels for the summer.

Most of you (and even serious websites like allamericanmuscle ) say that 17x9 will fit under a fox with 245x45x17.

But what about 18 inches?

Using a tire calculator, I found out that 245x40x18 have numbers similar to a 245x45x17.

Do you guys think that the 18s would rub?

Thanks in advance
 
Z

Zapp109

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Apr 20, 2011
#2
  • Apr 20, 2011
  • #2
I use to run cobra rs 17x10 in the rear.. with 275/40/17 , 255/40/17 front with 17X9 .. From what i remember im not sure what you concern is here ? Are you worried bout it hitting the inner fenders ? Also mine was a hatch so im not sure if they are different?
 
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ricgt88

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Apr 20, 2011
#3
  • Apr 20, 2011
  • #3
Did you have any problems with running 255x40x17 in the front?

I am just wondering if I use a tire size that is similar to one that does not rub, I should be ok right?

Does 245x45x17 = 245x40x18 ???

No one seems to have a straight answer when it comes to rubbing in the front...
 

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell
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Apr 20, 2011
#4
  • Apr 20, 2011
  • #4
Depends more on the offset/backspacing vs the actual size of the wheel

you are right, the 18x9 with a smaller sidewall would have the same size as the 17x9....but is the offset/bs the same?
 

93project

Active Member
Apr 21, 2009
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Apr 20, 2011
#5
  • Apr 20, 2011
  • #5
I'm running 18x9 and 18x10 on a 93. Tires are 245/40 and 275/40. Nitto 555's. They don't rub at all and I'm using Ford racing B springs, 02 spindles, 02 Moog ball joints. And Monroe sensatrac struts and shocks. It rides incredibly well, doesn't rub. And doesn't have horrid bumpsteer from the 02 spindles.
 

93project

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Apr 21, 2009
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#6
  • Apr 20, 2011
  • #6
delete
 
Z

Zapp109

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#7
  • Apr 20, 2011
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I had no issues with rubbing in the front. Only issue i had was in the rear i had to push my flowmaster exhaust over towards the center of the car on each side to keep it off the tires. .. go to tire rack and pick a tire.. here is a example

Kuhmo ecsta XS

245/45/17 = 25.7" tall

245/40/18 = 25.7" tall aswell according to this

Kumho Ecsta XS

But choose tire and work with that chart
 

newskool

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Oct 17, 2006
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Apr 20, 2011
#8
  • Apr 20, 2011
  • #8
18's are gonna need some fender rolling.
 
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ricgt88

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Apr 20, 2011
#9
  • Apr 20, 2011
  • #9
And so would the 17s. I have never heard of anybody with 17s that had to roll their fenders...at least not with 245s...

Mustang5l5
I'm looking to buy 18 inch cobra R (4 bolts)
Here's a chart I found on the internet
Size Bolt Offset BS
16x8 4x4.25 +15 5.28
17x9 4x4.25 +24 5.95
17x10.5 4x4.25 +28 6.80
18x9 4x4.25 +18 5.95
20x8.5 4x4.25 +30 5.96
Offset on the 17x9 is bigger than on the 18x9
Backspacing is the same

Does that mean I would have more problems with 17x9 (if any) than with 18x9
 
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Zapp109

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#10
  • Apr 20, 2011
  • #10
http://www.stangnet.com/mustang-forums/822622-17s-18s.html

here is something i found.. has some info
 

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell
Mod Dude
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Apr 20, 2011
#11
  • Apr 20, 2011
  • #11
ricgt88 said:
And so would the 17s. I have never heard of anybody with 17s that had to roll their fenders...at least not with 245s...
Click to expand...

I did..with 245's. It was with SN95 disk brakes out back, so it was close since they stuck out

ricgt88 said:
Mustang5l5
I'm looking to buy 18 inch cobra R (4 bolts)
Here's a chart I found on the internet
Size Bolt Offset BS

17x9 4x4.25 +24 5.95

18x9 4x4.25 +18 5.95

Offset on the 17x9 is bigger than on the 18x9
Backspacing is the same

Does that mean I would have more problems with 17x9 (if any) than with 18x9
Click to expand...

It means the 18" wheels will stick out 6mm more than the 17's. Other than that they are the same.

You *might* need to roll your rear fender lips
 

93project

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Apr 21, 2009
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#12
  • Apr 20, 2011
  • #12

18x9, 18x10 didn't roll any fender and used B springs
 

2000xp8

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Aug 8, 2003
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Apr 20, 2011
#13
  • Apr 20, 2011
  • #13
93project said:

18x9, 18x10 didn't roll any fender and used B springs
Click to expand...

Yours fits because you are using an 18x10 with a tire that could fit on an 18x8.5. The tire is probably stretched which lowers the profile even more and takes the corner off the tire giving even more room for movement.
Really no sense in buying a rim that wide to use a tire that narrow, unless of course that's the only width available.

Ricgt, wheel fitment is about more than rim size.
The tire you run, the offset, how low the car is are all variables that affect fitment.
 
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ricgt88

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Apr 21, 2011
#14
  • Apr 21, 2011
  • #14
I thought I could use some 'logic' to try to figure out if it would fit or not

Car is not lowered so I figured it I used a wheel with the same radius as my current 15 inches it would fit. Of course, I know that 245 is larger than 225 but hey, 225 seem lost inside the fender...

anyone as offset and b/s for 15x7?
 

90limited

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Apr 13, 2002
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Apr 21, 2011
#15
  • Apr 21, 2011
  • #15
ricgt88 said:
And so would the 17s. I have never heard of anybody with 17s that had to roll their fenders...at least not with 245s...
Click to expand...

I have 255/40/17 on 17x9 on all four corners. Front will rub at full lock but no other issues.
 

93project

Active Member
Apr 21, 2009
549
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El Paso, tx
Apr 21, 2011
#16
  • Apr 21, 2011
  • #16
2000xp8 said:
Yours fits because you are using an 18x10 with a tire that could fit on an 18x8.5. The tire is probably stretched which lowers the profile even more and takes the corner off the tire giving even more room for movement.
Really no sense in buying a rim that wide to use a tire that narrow, unless of course that's the only width available.

Ricgt, wheel fitment is about more than rim size.
The tire you run, the offset, how low the car is are all variables that affect fitment.
Click to expand...

275/40 18's are too narrow for a 10" rim? Wow.
I have 245/40 in front. 275/40 in back.
 

j_lutter31

Member
Apr 7, 2008
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Apr 21, 2011
#17
  • Apr 21, 2011
  • #17
Zapp109 said:
I had no issues with rubbing in the front. Only issue i had was in the rear i had to push my flowmaster exhaust over towards the center of the car on each side to keep it off the tires. .. go to tire rack and pick a tire.. here is a example

Kuhmo ecsta XS

245/45/17 = 25.7" tall

245/40/18 = 25.7" tall aswell according to this

Kumho Ecsta XS

But choose tire and work with that chart
Click to expand...

Not sure who made that calculator but they sure like to round.......Might as well have just said they were 26" tall.

If you do the math

(2*(245 * 0.45))/25.4 + 17 = 25.681

(2*(245 * 0.40))/25.4 + 18 = 25.7165

This means the 18" tire is 0.13% taller, might not be much...but its not the same.......
 

2000xp8

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#18
  • Apr 21, 2011
  • #18
93project said:
275/40 18's are too narrow for a 10" rim? Wow.
I have 245/40 in front. 275/40 in back.
Click to expand...

You can put 315's on a 10 inch wide rim.

This is why i tell people not to obsess over buying wider rims for their fox, doesn't do any good, you can't fit tires wide enough to necessitate them.
 

93project

Active Member
Apr 21, 2009
549
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El Paso, tx
Apr 21, 2011
#19
  • Apr 21, 2011
  • #19
I know I can fit larger but I only wanted 275's. They aren't stretched at all. They sit flush on the rim face. I bought them cuz I dig the deep dish look on a fox. Everyone here has cobra R's, or 03 chrome cobras....lame
 

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell
Mod Dude
Feb 18, 2001
43,255
17,939
224
Massachusetts
Apr 22, 2011
#20
  • Apr 22, 2011
  • #20
93project said:
275/40 18's are too narrow for a 10" rim? Wow.
I have 245/40 in front. 275/40 in back.
Click to expand...

technically...yes.


You want tire size to be about 2" wider than rim size

275mm = 10.8"

Ideal rim size...8.8", or a 9" wide wheel
 
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