What size wheels/tires can I run on the LX

[BlKvNm]

I've never claimed to be a genious when it comes to modding...unfortunately I always just pay people to do that stuff.

I want to buy some 17x9 wheels for the LX...I have no plans on lowering the car (I say that now anyway) and need to know what is the fattest tire combo I can go. i have NO idea (I hate admitting this) about spacing so if you mention it, please explain what I would neeed to do, etc.

I was thinking I could run 255/45's?

Inputs are really needed...I am hooking the LX up very soon.

[Zylone]

On my car I got some 15x8 draglites, I dont think 9's will fit but don't quote me on that! As far as tires, you can fit up to a 275 on there no problem, depending on the tire you can go up to a 295, but you will have to swap the quad shocks upside down or take them off, and if you take them off, you better get some better control arms! I am running 295/50's right now, not my choice but that is what it came with and it has spacers (not cool) they rub the fender lip, so I gotta roll them, and I think they would fit without the spacer if I flipped the quad shocks. Your best bet I would say if you want 17's is 275/45's on 17x8 wheels. Unless you want to go all out and modify the fender wells =) I cannot remember off the top of my head the back spacing either... I am sure Lary or Dan could chime in on this one!

[1SLO85]

Originally Posted by BlKvNm

I've never claimed to be a genious when it comes to modding...unfortunately I always just pay people to do that stuff.

I want to buy some 17x9 wheels for the LX...I have no plans on lowering the car (I say that now anyway) and need to know what is the fattest tire combo I can go. i have NO idea (I hate admitting this) about spacing so if you mention it, please explain what I would neeed to do, etc.

I was thinking I could run 255/45's?

Inputs are really needed...I am hooking the LX up very soon.

I think a nice set of Chrome '95 Cobra R's (17x9 and 17x10.5) would look real good. No where to get those??????? :rubchin:

[ROUSH67]

Mick,
4lug or 5lug....also depends which spinles u use in the front if you go to 5 lug...

[BlKvNm]

Originally Posted by ROUSH67

Mick,
4lug or 5lug....also depends which spinles u use in the front if you go to 5 lug...

4 lug...17x9

and thx all for info

[Nighthawk]

Originally Posted by BlKvNm

4 lug...17x9

and thx all for info

i think john has 17x9 w 275 in the rear but they didn't fit well in the front so he went down to a 16x8 up front.

[Allnuts]

I have 17x9 Cobra R rims with 275/45 Nitto Drag tires on the rear on my '89. It's pretty close to the fender lip actually the edge of the tire has some cuts. But it can be the springs I'm running (Eibach Drag Launch). Here is a pic:

[blu89hb]

275 will fit fine. Even a 315 will fit with a little hammer and some cutting here and there.

[redrum]

Originally Posted by Nighthawk

i think john has 17x9 w 275 in the rear but they didn't fit well in the front so he went down to a 16x8 up front.

yessir.

i had 17x9's all the way around. to do this, you have to:

1) remove the quadshocks (in the rear. very easy to do. 2 bolts)
2) run ATLEAST a 1/4" spacer in the front. just go to a tire shop and ask for one, they are cheap.

however, if you decide to do this, you can not lower the car. it COULD be different on 87+, so itd be nice if someone with this experience could chime in, but if 87+ is the same as 85-86... then after you lower the car, the inside of the RIM will be scraping your struts. for this reason, i wasted alot of money, having to buy another front set of wheels. i run 16x8's in the front now and 17x9 in the back. 17x10.5 definitely will NOT fit without tubbing it out, which can get expensive pretty quickly.

the best combo that i have run, is the one i currently have, which is 225/55/16 and 275/40/17 (coulda been 45, not sure.. but i think it was 40).
245's will fit in the front, but any more and you'll be pushing it. i think the smaller tires look bad ass in the front anyways. just barely noticable, and gives it a different stance. if you want, ill show you comparison pics in my car with the 17's with 245s and the 16's with 225s. just lemme know.

also... there is NOT a huge selection on four lug rims. i wish i would have converted five lug now, but i have too much invested in my 4 lug rims to go back at this point. if you have any thoughts of 5 lug... definitely do the 5lug swap. 5 lug has such a better selection as far as rims, and has a much better brake upgrading selection. cant really upgrade the brakes on the 4 lug at all.

did i cover just about everything?

edit: oh yea... on the 86, the exhaust was not hung directly centered, so when we mounted the rims, the tire was rubbing the drivers side pipe in the back. we had to take a hammer to it. so thats another clearance problem... if the exhaust is not completely centered, you could have problems fitting 275s, and maybe have to resort to the hammer.

[Zylone]

Oh yeah, that reminds me.. I have read that 295+ is also a problem in the rear with tail pipe clearance. But that is ok, nothin wrong with some dumps

[BlKvNm]

thanks John and all else...it seems I have a nice deal on some new roh 4 lug 5 star deep dish...17x8 w/ 245/45's (may go 235 up front)

[redrum]

Originally Posted by BlKvNm

thanks John and all else...it seems I have a nice deal on some new roh 4 lug 5 star deep dish...17x8 w/ 245/45's (may go 235 up front)

deep dishes in the back should hold some wider tires, since the backspacing will be MUCH different. not quite sure how much though. depends on the backspacing.

sorry for the edit... miller lite ownz me tonight! :mick:

[BlKvNm]

Think I'd be safe running 255/45 235/45's?

[redrum]

definitely, but i think id run 275's on the deep dishes. 255's just wouldnt look right with deep dish, i think. you may even be able to run 305's or 315's with the deep dish. if you can find out the backspacing on the rims, i can look into it and find out if 86 is different than 87+ so you can make a sound conclusion on just what you can fit...

just remember that if you're putting 17's in the front, you WILL need a spacer, and you wont ever be able to drop the car without getting new rims!

edit: decided to attach some images of the 86 with both the different front rims. the first one should be a good representation of the 16's in the front with 225/55.... the 17's in the back have always had 275/40's on them.
on the other pics, ive got 245/40/17's in the front.

edit#2: the pic in the second row is stock ride height with 245/40/17
pic in the thrid row is lowered in the front with 225/55/16

[BlKvNm]

Thanks John for all of your help.

[redrum]

not a problem señor. lemme know if i can be of any more assistance.

and if you can, find out the backspacing on the rims your buying and ill run some numbers for ya and find out exactly what will fit. :jeff:

[12second5.0]

Backspacing is the whole key to making any wheel fit.Go to discount tire and trial fit some rims on your car.That's the best way to find out. :jeff: