What size tire for these rims

[J_Squared]

im plan on getting a set of 17x9 svt rims, whats the standard size tire size for those, im thinking 255 or 265 right? thx.

 

[bubba-dough]

I just asked my cousin who is sittin right here, his 01 Cobra has 245 45 17. He said that is the size that was on them new.

 

[5spd GT]

I had 255/45/17's on my 17x9's. They set flush with the 9 inch rims. I have seen 265's and they look great as well. They were a 40 series tire.

 

[5spd GT]

I just asked my cousin who is sittin right here, his 01 Cobra has 245 45 17. He said that is the size that was on them new.

Do 01 Cobra's have 9 inch wide wheels? I honestly don't know...

 

[bubba-dough]

Do 01 Cobra's have 9 inch wide wheels? I honestly don't know...

Crap, now I am not to sure...I just assumed they did.
I'll have to check now....

 

[bubba-dough]

Just checked SVT's website....nope they are 17x8...245 45 17. sorry I was wrong

 

[5spd GT]

I thought they were 8's as well...

 

[powertrax91]

I had 255/45/17's on my 17x9's. They set flush with the 9 inch rims. I have seen 265's and they look great as well. They were a 40 series tire.

 

[J_Squared]

possible to squeeze 285/40 ya think? just curious, prob not gonna go that crazy.

 

[srothfuss]

You might want to limit your rear tires to 275.. I don't think you can get much bigger unless you have a really big hammer planned for your fenders.

 

[tjm73]

On 17x8 you can do 245/45R17, like stock '94-'04 Mustang GT size, or 255/40R17 or 255/45R17 or 265/40R17.

On a 17x9, don't do less than 255 or more then 275. Anything less looks too skinny for the wheel and anything more looks too big for the wheel.

 

[J_Squared]

RGR! thx guys.

 

[J_Squared]

about those numbers, just was on SVT site and looking at the replacement for the lightning, says it has 21x9 rims, that having been said, they also have a 295/45 on that, which leads me to believe that a 295 can fit on a 9 inch wheel, just seems kinda backwards from what ive heard/seen.

 

[5spd GT]

about those numbers, just was on SVT site and looking at the replacement for the lightning, says it has 21x9 rims, that having been said, they also have a 295/45 on that, which leads me to believe that a 295 can fit on a 9 inch wheel, just seems kinda backwards from what ive heard/seen.

Tire measurements don't work like that. They aren't just what you see. I wish I was awake enough to try to explain it correctly...but it is too late anyways It's all about the combo of tire sizes.

The SVT's 99-03's Lightnings are 18in. wheels I believe.

I have seen 285's on stock 17x8 wheels. Not cool...look too wide and don't handle very well.

 

[tjm73]

The Lightening combo also has a much larger sidewall. And the Lightening wheels are all 18x9.5" with 295/45R18's.

http://www.fordracingparts.com/parts/wheel_rack.asp?partbasketid=36

The Harley Davidson Edition wheels are 20x9", and they had 275/45R20's.

http://www.fordracingparts.com/parts/wheel_rack.asp?partbasketid=37

 

[tjm73]

Here's a basic rule of thumb. If you divide the tire width by 25.4 it converts to inches.

295/25.4 = 11.61 inches

Now if you take a wheel width and add 1 inch to it you get it's true wheel lip to wheel lip measurment (approximately). On the lighening that would be 9.5+1 = 10.5

So the difference between the tire width and the wheel width in this exampleis barely more than 1 inch. Any difference up to around 1.75" (give or take) is ok.

But you gotta look at sidewall as well. A 275/50R15 has about 5.5" of sidewall, while a 275/40R17 has about 4.3" of sidewall. The shorter sidewall is less tolerant of excessive sidewall buldge.