rim width that will fit a 265/275 tire

[silvia mike]

Ok I have been looking for rims recently and it seems like all the 4 lug wheels are not very wide, the widest I can find is 8 inch. I want to put at least a 265 in the rear. What rim width will I need to fit this size? also a 275? And does anyone have suggestions on where to find good rims that aren't going to cost me thousands? Thanks for the help

[bodyman240]

your going to need a 10 inch wide wheel in the rear to fit those tires, and secondly you not going to find any very cheap. Your going to have to spend money to get that kind of width. The best in my opinion are Volks but your best bet cost wise would be 5 zigen. There are other choices as well but its gonna cost you any way you go

[SmithSR]

Bodyman is right. If you want a very rare, very exotic custom built wheel, it's going to cost you serious dollars. This is a universal truth. There's just no way around it. Most people don't have cars that require such large tires/contact patch. It's usually for looks. After seeing that there's really no cheap way to do it, they settle on something more practical. If you DO actually have a car laying down enough power to require the contact patch found on a Corvette, then you've invested serious dollars already, and money probably isn't an issue for you. Either way, do a search on FIKSE wheels. I'm a big fan of those guys.

EDIT: 9" wheels will work on the sizes you mentioned, depending on a few things like sidewall height/tire manufacturer recommendations for wheel width.

[cnichols]

[quote=" SmithSR EDIT: 9" wheels will work on the sizes you mentioned, depending on a few things like sidewall height/tire manufacturer recommendations for wheel width. [/quote]

Agreed. http://www.tirerack.com shows the recommended wheel width for all of their tires and the wheel width range that they will fit on. There is no specific width to run a 265 or 275. Most of the time they will fit on the same wheel. It all has to do with size, sidewall, and manufacturer.

[mellojoe]

I'll throw out some info, because I just learned it.

265mm = approx 10.4"275mm = approx 10.8"

You might be able to find a 9" wheel that can run 265 tires. But it looks like for as wide as a 275, a 10" wheel might be the only way to go.

[SmithSR]

Negative. Each tire manufacturer decides what rim width is best suited for their specific tire models. When a consumer looks at the numbers, it is not an exact science. There really isn't any way to make a universal statement about tire width, with respect to wheel fitment. Take into consideration that the width designation given to each tire is given by the manufacturer, not some measuring and governing body... meaning, in some cases the entire width of an inflated tire is measured...from outside edge of sidewall to outside edge of sidewall...not just the tread.

This measurement is used more often than you'd think. You must always take into consideration tire carcass/sidewall flex/sidewall height. All are paramount when considering or recommending a specific rim width for a given tire, and will determine where the tire's beads will rest comfortably, while allowing the tire to give an optimal contact patch. It's more complicated than people first realize.

If you run the numbers yourself, please keep in mind that the advertised tread width will not always match what your ruler will say. The real issue should be finding proper fitment, both on a properly sized wheel, and fitment on your car. Try not to pay so much attention to getting the fattest tire under your car, instead focus on a package that will increase responsiveness. Bigger, heavier, taller tires/wheels increase unsprung mass, rolling resistance.. enemies of responsiveness, on both acceleration and braking.

-Phil

[cnichols]

:Werd

Smith is right...don't argue.

[WanG_s14ka]

Cnichols, What size tires and rims are those in the pictures? If it's yours very nice, I like the blue.

[Jookmasta]

well since this thread deals with tire width, i just wanted to confirm that i can put 235s or 245s on my 17x7 right? or is the 225s the safest bet?

[SmithSR]

Jookmasta: a common and easy fit on a 17x7" wheel is a tire of 205 or 215 width. Most commonly found on honda civics: 205/40-17, 215/40-17.

17x7.5 will get you a closer to ideal contact patch with a wider tire. You *could* get a wider, 225, 235, 245 tire onto a 7"wide wheel, but you will not be maximizing the contact patch, as the tire's beads will be *squished* together, closer than the tire manufacturer recommends. Some tire makers have a wheel width guide on their websites. Do some searching of tire sites and all your questions will be answered.

-Phil

[cnichols]

Cnichols, What size tires and rims are those in the pictures? If it's yours very nice, I like the blue.

Tires are 235/40/17 up front and 245/40/17 in back. All wheels are 17" x 8".

[Exar-Kun]

"ditto" to everything smith said. thanks smith -chetyou gotta work at a tire shop to see what hes talking about, but hes right.