Tire Help

[Mathius]

Does anyone know if anyone makes a 305/40/17 street tire? I've read about them (doing a search) on Mustang boards, and found one on a Dakota board I think it was, but can't find a vendor.

Is there an ideal size for the front to match up, or no?

Working on a '76 Malibu if that matters.

Mathius

[Ralph LoGrasso]

Mathius, Check out Nitto. 305 isn't a common size. Most companies make 295s and then skip to 315s. Nitto, however makes a 305/35/18 DR and a 305/45/18 DR, so they may make a 305/40/17.

[DJ Mabe]

I think to get that size you'll have to jump up to and 18" tire. Otherwise, you're going to be stuck with a 285 maybe 295 or have to go up to the 315. I don't think anyone if making a 305 in 17". Good luck.

Derrick

[Mathius]

I might have to look into an 18 inch wheel, but basically I know from other frequenters of Chevytalk that a 295-50-15 will pretty much be the biggest tire I'm gonna fit without mini-tubbing or some other modding, but I wanted to go 17. I used a tire calculator (I like this one because it gives a visual: http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html ) and basically a 305-40-17 gives identical fit numbers except the sidewall. Another option I guess is to go slightly smaller, but I more or less wanted to go as wide as possible. I didn't realize how pathetic my 7"'ers are until peering under the car looking at my new dual exhaust one day and they look decidedly small.

Mathius

[DJ Mabe]

A 305/35/18 tire is almost the exact same size as the 295/50/15 you mentioned. Might not be enough sidewall for you though.

[79T/Aman]

a 305-40-17 would be perfect for our PT cars, I like function over looks and big heavy american cars do need a good side wall that the 35 or less just don't have without going ultra wide and having to tub the car, mathius I used to have 295-50-15 and the best I could do was a 285-40-17, no one makes a 295-40-17 and a 315-35 is too short and the 335-35 would be fine but needs tubs to fit