CN

I have searched this topic and read every thread. There seams to be no simple straight answer. so here goes my question...

I have a stock 1998 C2 Cab
The original tires are:
Front: 205/50 17
Rear: 255/40 17
Car is lowered

Can I put wider tires on?
If I go 225 on the front and 265 or 275 on the back, what ratio size is correct?
can I go with275 on the back?
Will increasing the tire width cause me a problem?

Should I just stay with the original spec?
If I widen the tires, is there any other considerations?

Thanks and sorry for the "yet another tire size" post.

FisterD

On 18" wheels:
225 40 18 front
265 35 18 rear
are pretty much the standard. Are you sticking with 17" rims?

CN

This has been my problem. Every thread regarding this topic seems to encourage the incorporation of additional variables.

I am sticking with 17" rims and just want to know if I can adjust the tire width appropriately without modifications to any other parameters and in doing so, not incorporating any detrimental effects?

or

Should I stick to the stock sizes?

Thanks,

chris walrod

Go with 225's on the front, stick with 255's on the back. There is nothing wrong with that.

Tom W

Just look at the tires specs and ensure that the diameter is 25" and you'll know you have the right aspect ratio to the width you choose. Keep the difference in diameter front to rear at less than 5% and you'll have no problems.

Don Plumley

235/45 17 and 275/40 17 on stock wheels. Wouldn't recommend wider.

993_Pilot

Play with the spreadsheet that I put together HERE. It won't tell you appropriate tire widths for rim sizes (you can get that from tire rack), but it will help you determine how your clearances will change.

CN

Thanks, that's great

jimbo3

+10. I would NOT go with anything bigger on back as it's a 9" wide wheel. A 225/45 on the front would help offset some understeer and is about the biggest tire you'd want to stuff onto a 7 inch wide wheel. Bigger than the 225/255 combo on the 17" wheels there is no benefit for street use, just more expense.

-Jim

Peter B

Why not use the rim calculator on www.alloywheels.com

RallyJon

Do you really want worse gearing? Putting 265-275/40-17s on will make the tall stock gearing a couple of percent worse. Plus they'll be heavier and squeezed on 9" wheels.

A great solution would be 265/35-17 tires. This was a popular Michelin Pilot Sport size a few years ago for BMWs, Supras, Mustangs, etc, but I can't find any tires in that size now. Wider contact patch and a couple percent better gearing--perfect.

Bill Verburg

the 265/35 x17 Michelin was the perfect size tire for the rear of 911, 964 and 993 if you are staying w/ 17" wheels.

Unfortunately Tire Rack refused to acknowledge that it existed. That was the kiss of death as far as sales in NA go.


I agree for 17s on 7 & 9 x17 wheels 225/45 and 255/40