question about tire tech artical by wret...

[DSMeclipse4G63]

Ok I read your tech artical wret and saw people with 17*7.5 with 40mm offset riding on 235/40/17 tires. I didnt want to use 40 series tires would 235 45 17 work with a prokit or h&r oe sports springs mounted on 17*7.5 40mm offset? If not Im going for my 225 45/17 but if I can go bigger on the tires for more grip then I will, as my dad needs his f350 trans worked on and I have my own tools, bay and ford certs to fix it he is going to buy me tires . Let me know as I may get these tires pretty soon. Thanks
Andrew

 

[wret]

Ok I read your tech artical wret and saw people with 17*7.5 with 40mm offset riding on 235/40/17 tires. I didnt want to use 40 series tires would 235 45 17 work with a prokit or h&r oe sports springs mounted on 17*7.5 40mm offset? If not Im going for my 225 45/17 but if I can go bigger on the tires for more grip then I will, as my dad needs his f350 trans worked on and I have my own tools, bay and ford certs to fix it he is going to buy me tires . Let me know as I may get these tires pretty soon. Thanks
Andrew

I would say 235/45/17 would be perfect for the setup you described. You should not have any fitment problems there, besides the customary fender rolling. And, you are right, 235/40/17’s are a step low for 17 inch wheels.

 

[DSMeclipse4G63]

I would say 235/45/17 would be perfect for the setup you described. You should not have any fitment problems there, besides the customary fender rolling. And, you are right, 235/40/17’s are a step low for 17 inch wheels.

I keep hearing things about rolled fenders can someone help me out here..as Im completely clueless with that idea. Also even thought they would fit(Ive had ford 17*9 with 245 45/17 on without rubbing) are they going to handle as good as 225s will or are they only going to give me a wider tire. Im looking for traction but not drag traction autoX traction. Thanks again
Andrew

ps I see your in md, maybe sometime at a meet you could show me if you know...

 

[wret]

225's are an easy fit, but when you go up to 235 on a 2g DSM you have to be a little more careful. Too much offset and you will rub the rear upper control arm. Not enough offset and you will risk hitting the fender, particularly when you lower the vehicle as you suggested and even more so when you correct your lowering induced rear negative camber.

Even if you get the offset right and everything appears to clear, there’s a nasty little surprise waiting for your new tires inside those rear fenders. We refer to it a fender flange. It’s actually the point where two sheet metal panels meet and are welded together. When we refer to rolling fenders we are really talking about moving this flange out of the way.

Fender rolling techniques vary somewhat with the same result. Some claim to have good results with a baseball bat. Just stick the fat part of the bat in above your tire, and lever it against the flange by pushing down on the end of the bat. Move the bat or roll it an inch or so and lever it again. Do this until the entire flange (or least the part above your tire) is bent up against the fender.

Bending the flange is much easier if you clip it every couple of inches with a quality metal snip. You need to remove the wheel to do this and you can bend the tabs easily with or without a bat. A heavy piece of pipe or conduit works well also if you don’t have a bat or you don’t want to damage one.

One can also rent fender-rolling devices. I believe Tirerack.com rents them. Any way you do it, you will likely have left unprotected metal that you should cover. I prefer roofing cement in a caulking tube. Just slather it in there with a latex glove. It covers nicely and looks like the original coating.

Good luck with your new setup. I might see you around.

 

[DSMeclipse4G63]

is it worth the extra money to get 235s? or should I stick with the 225s? willthe handling be better or worse? Thanks again

 

[wret]

I'd go for the 235's. I think you'll find that they don't cost much more. Yes, they will handle better.

 

[DSMeclipse4G63]

good stuff, thanks
Andrew

 

[wret]

No problem, but do me a favor; when you install your new setup, reopen this thread and tell us the specifics of what you got. If you really want to be helpful, check the clearance between your tires and the rear upper control arm. The more information we have about fitment of different wheel/tire combinations, the better advice we can give.