Largest tire on a 17'' wheel?

[xuberantz]

I'm currently running 17x7 ADR cypher wheels with 42mm offset and I was wondering what is the largest tire I can comfortably fit on my 92 DD with stock suspension? I'm currently running 205/40/17 but the wheel gap is horrendous and the car rides like crap! I live on a very long gravel road with huge holes and very large rocks as it's often washed out so lowering is out of the question. The more ground clearance I have the better! I've always liked the larger sidewall look anyways, but I'd hate to purchase a set and have them not fit correctly.

Thanks!

 

[coyotes]

I would not go bigger than a 45 series tire on a 17" wheel. You can but it may cause rubbing issues.

 

[92_talon_awd]

225/45/17 has been my go-to size for years. I think it's the perfect balance between reduced sidewall flex without riding like a log wagon. If your road is that bad though it may be worth going down to a 16" rim to allow for more sidewall.

 

[KiNgMaRtY]

^^I agree. For that size wheel and offset, 225/45/17

 

[CutlassJim]

^Yup! 215/45's would work too if you can find a cheap set on CL.

 

[prove_it]

I ran 225/50/17 for a while. At stock ride height it was fine. It was a monster truck though. Now I'm running 235/45/17 on EVO 8 rims. It barely rubs at 1 inch lowered with 1* camber in front.

 

[92_talon_awd]

That 1/4" can make a difference /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[CutlassJim]

I run 235/40/17's on my lowered Galant for clearance.

 

[diambo4life]

225/45/17 here on 17"x7.5" wheels. For gravel...15's and some 60-65 sidewall would be way more tolerable.

 

[92_talon_awd]

That's what I was thinking, 17's are nice for street and even work well for rallyX but if you are talking real nasty backroads I'd want some stockers. Just look at what the rally guys run, although their sidewalls are hellacious.

 

[prove_it]

Quoting 92_talon_awd:
That 1/4" can make a difference /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif



That's what she said.

 

[xuberantz]

Anyone know if 245/45/17 fit? I know they are a bit wide, but I found a lead on a like new set very very cheap.

 

[coyotes]

you may have to roll your inner fender lips and do some other fitment work. A lot will depend on what wheels you're using too, how wide and what offset. Coilovers at this point would help a lot in fitting a wider tire properly.

 

[Yao]

Here is a pic of 245/45/17 on evo wheels.

 

[89Patches]

So?? Are you looking at getting different rims? Or you staying with the 17x7's you have.

Your question is really vague...

 

[xuberantz]

I decided to keep on the lookout for a set of cheap stock wheels and also keep my eyes open for a set of 225/45/17. I'd like to stick with my current wheels, but I also like stock wheels. I really wanted to pick up the CHEAP set of 245/45/17's I found but I'm worried about fitment.

 

[CutlassJim]

245/45's will be too tall and you SHOULD NOT put them on a 7" rim. 245/40's fit amazing on an 8" rim and sit tits on the car with a +38 or higher offset.

 

[belize1334]

It also depends on the tire. I have a set of Fuzion ZR1 (bargain summer tire) that are 235/40/17 and they're narrower than most 225/45/17s I've seen. Remember to look at the tire specs and compare the stated section width to that of your wheel. That's the only measure that actually has meaning...

 

[Chad989of2000]

215 is actually the widest recommended tire for a 7" wheel. 225 can definitely work, but above that the tire will be "pinched" down into the wheel in a\/ manner that compromises tire stiffness. 245 would be way too wide for a 7" wheel. They will fit, but they will not be track optimized.

 

[xuberantz]

I had a tire blow out shortly after I made this thread so I'm glad I made it so I could get some ideas. I decided to go with a 225/45/17. I'll post some pictures in a day or two.