Biggest Rear Tire 17x8 Factory Rim

BillG · Dec 31, 2019

As the Topic say I'm looking for the biggest tire I can fit on the rear on a set of 17x8 cobra rims for my 95 convertible. I have 245/45/17 all around right now and would like a bigger tire without looking tacky. Not really ready to change rims to 18's as of yet since I'm just getting car back on the road. Thinking Nitto or BFGoodrich for tires at moment. The Plan is 24/45/17 for the fronts and 255/45/17 for rear, BUT if i can go bigger in rear then i would like to have that option.

evilcw311 · Dec 31, 2019

I’d have to drive out to my car and look but I’m pretty sure I’m running 275’s on my fronts. They’re 18x8’s though.

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01yellercobra · Dec 31, 2019

I ran 275 555R's on a stock 17x8 Cobra rim. Didn't look bad, but those tires run narrow. I'd save your pennies for wider rims personally.

TrickVert · Jan 1, 2020

I believe you'll find that 245 is the widest recommended for an 8" wheel. 9" gets you to 275 which is what I'm running on all four corners on my '95. (Nitto 555's)

BillG · Jan 1, 2020

evilcw311 said:
I’d have to drive out to my car and look but I’m pretty sure I’m running 275’s on my fronts. They’re 18x8’s though.

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TrickVert said:
I believe you'll find that 245 is the widest recommended for an 8" wheel. 9" gets you to 275 which is what I'm running on all four corners on my '95. (Nitto 555's)

Trick I know that I have read that the 17x8 rims that came on 94-98 cobras ra a 255/45/17 on all 4 corners. So im sure that 255 will more than likely be largest but figured from what ive read on here that someone would have ran larger on a 17x8 rim.

TrickVert · Jan 2, 2020

I stand corrected. You're right - 255/45/ZR17's came stock on the 94/95 Cobra. The '93 Cobra was limited to 245/45-17 tires by its 7.5" wheels. Ford went to a 9" wheel and 275's in 2003.

g36 monkey · Jan 2, 2020

You can run a 275 on an 8 inch wheel, but it won't fit properly, and any "performance" gain will be generally nullified by improper fitment. I would either get a better 255, or get wider wheels if you're looking to go wider.

BillG · Jan 3, 2020

g36 monkey said:
You can run a 275 on an 8 inch wheel, but it won't fit properly, and any "performance" gain will be generally nullified by improper fitment. I would either get a better 255, or get wider wheels if you're looking to go wider.

Thinking Goodyear's, Nitto's, or Bfgoodrich on tires and still learning how big i can go without removing parts. Rims are on the list but its hard to find the ones that have the look i like LOL.

TrickVert · Jan 3, 2020

275/70-17's on a 9" wheel will fit all the way around without any modifications. Mine just barely rub the sway bar at full lock, but it's minor.

315/40-17's in the rear on a 10.5" wheel with the proper offset should fit fine as well. Even wider in the back, (up to 335's, I've read) can be stuffed back there, but require flipping the quad shocks and probably rolling the fenders.

There are lots of wheel choices for our cars. I'm sure you can find something that strikes a chord with you.

evilcw311 · Jan 3, 2020

Mine are 18/9 up front. Not sure why I thought they were 18/8

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Tillerman77 · Jan 7, 2020

BillG said:
Trick I know that I have read that the 17x8 rims that came on 94-98 cobras ra a 255/45/17 on all 4 corners. So im sure that 255 will more than likely be largest but figured from what ive read on here that someone would have ran larger on a 17x8 rim.

When it was time for new tires on my 97 Cobra, I backdated the tires to 255/45/17 on stock wheels, using Continental DWS06 tires. Looks and drives great.

g36 monkey · Jan 10, 2020

Just dump the quadshocks. We fit 345s on a 10.5" wheel (dumb, but it happened) and it fit on an IRS car.

That said 315 on a 10.5" wheel is the usual accepted max.

TrickVert · Jan 11, 2020

Do NOT just "dump the quad shocks." Even with aftermarket LCA's, and other suspension mods, wheel hop can ensue with the quad shocks removed. Feel free to pull them, but test extensively on different surfaces with the intended wheel/tire combo, and even then, keep them in the shelf in case you need to reinstall them.

evilcw311 · Jan 11, 2020

TrickVert said:
Do NOT just "dump the quad shocks." Even with aftermarket LCA's, and other suspension mods, wheel hop can ensue with the quad shocks removed. Feel free to pull them, but test extensively on different surfaces with the intended wheel/tire combo, and even then, keep them in the shelf in case you need to reinstall them.

Odd part is most people who have dumped the quads and installed better lca’s with better bushings have noticed a much greater launch with no wheel hop.

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TrickVert · Jan 11, 2020

And for every one of them, there's someone else who had to put them back on. There are numerous threads on Corral on the subject.

g36 monkey · Jan 15, 2020

Better LCA are sufficient. I can speak with certainty that there may be a number of threads suggesting people had to reinstall their quad shocks, but there are countless examples of people removing them and having zero issue. But, there's enough debate about whether or not they are necessary all over the internet.

BillG · Jan 26, 2020

Ok Folks million Dollar question here. Is a 17x9 or 18x9 with factory offset which im guessing is +30 to big for front end. What size and measurement who some recommend? Gonna buy rims and tires and just want to fill the wheel wheels and get as close to the fenders with no rube.

TrickVert · Jan 26, 2020

My '95 GT with 275/40-17 Nitto 555 Extremes on 17x9 Steeda UltraLite wheels. I have a 1.5" drop, and have never hit the fender(s).

IMG_20190814_152637491 (Large)

TrickVert
Jan 26, 2020

IMG_20190814_152651976 (Large)

TrickVert
Jan 26, 2020

IMG_20190814_152943906 (Large)

TrickVert
Jan 26, 2020

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BillG · Jan 26, 2020

TrickVert said:
My '95 GT with 275/40-17 Nitto 555 Extremes on 17x9 Steeda UltraLite wheels. I have a 1.5" drop, and have never hit the fender(s).

IMG_20190814_152637491 (Large)

TrickVert

Jan 26, 2020

IMG_20190814_152651976 (Large)

TrickVert

Jan 26, 2020

IMG_20190814_152943906 (Large)

TrickVert

Jan 26, 2020

..

Those are pretty close to the rims I have now at 17x8 trying to find the 17x9 twin to keep the factory feel. I’m hoping to getting mine to looking that nice.

TrickVert · Jan 26, 2020

Thanks. I'd considered changing things up a number of years back, but there's just something about these UltraLites that I really like. The look is classic, and the unique-ness of them is a bonus. About the only wheel I think I'd trade for is the UltraLite II, but even that, I don't know. (They're rare as hen's teeth these days.)