Tires for 17x9.5 Wheels

[sn75]

Here’s my dilemma. I have a ’72 Chevelle (soon to have Hotchkis 1” drop front/rear springs) and want to put some 17x9.5 wheels on the rear (already have the front setup down). What tire will fit this wheel that is in the 27” to 27.5” diameter range? I can’t seem to find any. I’ve seen 275/50/17’s (Nitto and Falken), but those are made for trucks/suv’s and that’s kind of a weird size.

I know there’s probably some drag radial tires out there with the size I need. The only thing about DR’s is the tread life (not long at all). I’ll take some suggestions if any of you have them.

Thanks

[T-CHRGD]

To get some ideas, go to TireRack.com and do a search by tire size, search for "all available sizes", and enter 17". Shows all sizes they have available. Lots of options.

[68sixspeed]

I run a 255/50/17 on the rear on 17x9 rims, 27.1" dia. It's a size that was used on the mustangs I believe- BFG-KDWS and Nitto NT555 both have them. -Dan

[Samckitt]

I have 275/40/17 but that calculates out to a little over 26"

[GenPac]

Here’s my dilemma. I have a ’72 Chevelle (soon to have Hotchkis 1” drop front/rear springs) and want to put some 17x9.5 wheels on the rear (already have the front setup down). What tire will fit this wheel that is in the 27” to 27.5” diameter range? I can’t seem to find any. I’ve seen 275/50/17’s (Nitto and Falken), but those are made for trucks/suv’s and that’s kind of a weird size.

I know there’s probably some drag radial tires out there with the size I need. The only thing about DR’s is the tread life (not long at all). I’ll take some suggestions if any of you have them.

Thanks

http://www.mandhtires.com/store.php?...on=show_detail

28" Diameter. I can't imagine seeing these on the front of a car, though.

[68sixspeed]

http://www.mandhtires.com/store.php?...on=show_detail

28" Diameter. I can't imagine seeing these on the front of a car, though.

I have these for drag tires, they are kind of mis-sized, they are really not any wider than the 255/50/17 street tires, I can check they are all of the 28" tall too, I have to raise my coilovers. A side note, they don't hook up that well either. The m/t's were backordered so I went with these, bad move.

[sn75]

The 255/50/17's might work. They would be stretched a bit on the 17x9.5, but I don't think it's anything outrageous to put them on this size wheel (similar to guys running 275/60/15's on 15x10 wheels).

As for the M&H drag tires, probably not going to go that route (due to the increased wear due to soft compound).

[sn75]

Let me know what you think of this combo.

Front 17x8 with 255/45/17 (26.04")
Rear 17x9.5 with 255/50/17 (27.04")

Think that will look ok? The 245/45/17 is under 26" and I think it would look too small (just my thought).

[Windycity1]

Too big for the front. What about some 235 45 17 ?

[sn75]

Hmm, probably the 245/45 will work then. The 235/45 are still not tall enough. Remember, I'll be 1" lower (or thereabouts) in the front from stock height once I install my Hotchkis springs.

[marc_b]

why don't you go wider in the rear? I'm running a 295/45/17 on a 17x9.5, and it sits at about 27" tall.

[68sixspeed]

Let me know what you think of this combo.

Front 17x8 with 255/45/17 (26.04")
Rear 17x9.5 with 255/50/17 (27.04")

Think that will look ok? The 245/45/17 is under 26" and I think it would look too small (just my thought).

the fronts on mine are 245/45/17 on 17x8. (as mentioned above, the rears are 255/50/17 on 17x9)

I like that 295/45/17 though, and with an a-body you should have room enough if you get the rim/backspace right. (if you can get them in a street tire - those are m/t if I'm reading the post right?)

- Dan