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  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-

What size tires?

  • Thread starter Thread starter ArkansasMystic
  • Start date Start date Mar 17, 2009
A

ArkansasMystic

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Feb 16, 2007
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Mar 17, 2009
#1
  • Mar 17, 2009
  • #1
I've got 17x9 04 Cobra rims all around on my 96 Cobra. I currently have 275/40/17 Hankook tires all around. I'm needing 2 new tires. I'm gonna go with Nitto 555's, I'm just not sure on the sizes. I'd really like a narrower tire up from to help with handling. I can buy 2 275/40's and then decide where to put them. I like this idea because I can rotate and also they are almost the same diameter as stock so my speedometer won't be thrown off. However, I'm really considering 255/40's up front with a 275 or 285/40 out back. If I did this, I'd just buy the 2 fronts now, use the 275 Hankooks, then when the time came get the rear's (really thinking 285, but they'll be a little taller than stock so not sure how that'll effect me). It's a daily driver, I only see the track 2-3 times a year so I'm mainly going for daily performance. Any suggestions on which setup? Any downsides to going 285/40 on the rear? How will the shorter tire up front look with a taller one out back? Thanks!
 

98COBRA281

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Nov 24, 2007
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Mar 17, 2009
#2
  • Mar 17, 2009
  • #2
245-45-17 front
275-40-17 rear
 
A

ArkansasMystic

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#3
  • Mar 17, 2009
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I'm worried about 255's being to narrow, I'm definitely not going 245's on the front with 9 inch wheels. Any other opinions?
 

CobraRed_96_GT

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May 20, 2006
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Mar 17, 2009
#4
  • Mar 17, 2009
  • #4
I'd put 265's up front the buy the same when the rears go out, then start to rotate em.
 
A

ArkansasMystic

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#5
  • Mar 17, 2009
  • #5
I'd love 265's, but the Nitto 555's aren't offered in that size (nor a few other ones I've looked at).
 

mustang50v8

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Feb 4, 2003
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Mar 17, 2009
#6
  • Mar 17, 2009
  • #6
stock size for that wheel is 275-40-17. stick with it.
 

CobraRed_96_GT

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#7
  • Mar 17, 2009
  • #7
Why you set on a NT555? They aren't extraordinary or anything
 

Gearbanger 101

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Aug 10, 2002
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Mar 17, 2009
#8
  • Mar 17, 2009
  • #8
Nitto's are built a little narrower than a lot of other tires out there if I'm not mistaken?
 
A

ArkansasMystic

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#9
  • Mar 17, 2009
  • #9
In multiple posts on a variety of forums, I've yet to find a tire that suits my needs better than the 555's. The BFG KDW2 fits the bill as well, but I don't want 255/40's all around. Therefore, I'm pretty sure I'm going with the 555's. From what I remember, it's mainly the 555r's that run narrow. I've seen 315/35 555r's on 17x9's and it didn't have much bulge at all. My main concern with the 255/40 and 285/40 is that there's about an inch difference in height.
 
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