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Lowered 1.5" with 17x9.5 Up Front?

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Old Feb 13, 2018 | 09:09 PM
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Lowered 1.5" with 17x9.5 Up Front?

I'm looking at getting some Ridler 675 wheels but the eBay compatibility checker says it wont fit.

Offset: -5mm
Backspace: 5"

I'll be running 275/40R17 out back and 245/45R17 (probably 255 later) up front. I'm not worried about the back but I think it will be close on the front. For reference, the 17x9.5 CTW wheels with 5.25" BS and 0 offset fit up front with no spacers. I don't think hitting the tie rod will be an issue but I'm not sure about the inside of the fender. Also, 17x9 or 17x8.5 isn't an option so it's either 17x8 or 17x9.5.

Last edited by Streetstuff; Feb 13, 2018 at 09:20 PM.
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Old Feb 14, 2018 | 06:30 AM
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Re: Lowered 1.5" with 17x9.5 Up Front?

They should have 5" of backspacing (9.5 with -5 offset) so while they will bolt on, they will be out a tad more than the fender lip, not quite ideal, and that's provided you still have stock brakes
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Old Feb 14, 2018 | 10:11 AM
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Re: Lowered 1.5" with 17x9.5 Up Front?

You think it will be an issue out back as well? Completely stock brakes right now. I don't think the 17x8s will even fit up front. They're 4.5" BS with 0 offset.
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Old Feb 14, 2018 | 05:18 PM
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Re: Lowered 1.5" with 17x9.5 Up Front?

Originally Posted by Streetstuff
You think it will be an issue out back as well? Completely stock brakes right now. I don't think the 17x8s will even fit up front. They're 4.5" BS with 0 offset.
Those will fit just fine.


The 9.5 will fit pretty much the same way front and back. Honestly, 5.25" is the typical fitment for that size wheel on these cars, and in my opinion, they stick out too far and should be in more, but alas, any more will hit the tie rod unless you go to an 18" wheel.
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Old Feb 14, 2018 | 05:28 PM
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Re: Lowered 1.5" with 17x9.5 Up Front?

So you're saying the 17x8s shouldn't have an issue up front and the 9.5 will stick out a little either front and back? Just want to get this straight. And yeah I want to go 18s but I already bought new tires in 17s...
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Old Feb 14, 2018 | 05:52 PM
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Axle/Gears: Moser full floater m9, 3:70 trutrac
Re: Lowered 1.5" with 17x9.5 Up Front?

Originally Posted by Streetstuff
So you're saying the 17x8s shouldn't have an issue up front and the 9.5 will stick out a little either front and back? Just want to get this straight. And yeah I want to go 18s but I already bought new tires in 17s...
Yeah, 17x8 with 4.5bs is the same fitment as the stock 16x8 with 4.5bs. Will fit fine front and back, no problems at all.

A 17x9.5 with 5" of bs just won't do it, close but I'm pretty sure you wont like it.

Why not look around and see if there is a similar set of wheels or something else you like that's available with the correct 5.25 backspacing? A 9" would be the best option since it would keep the tire just a hair more inboard and look better.
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Old Feb 14, 2018 | 06:11 PM
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Re: Lowered 1.5" with 17x9.5 Up Front?

Man I forgot the front stock was 4.5 bs. I'd actually like wider than 9.5 out back because I want 275s at a minimum. I'll keep looking, I'm no fan of the wheel sticking out look either.
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Old Feb 15, 2018 | 02:53 PM
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Re: Lowered 1.5" with 17x9.5 Up Front?

Ok, I think I got this figured out. I think I am going to get these and just BFH mod anywhere that rubs.

I don't see any issues here...
Rim Diameter: 18
Bolt Pattern: 5x4.75"
Offset: Front:+0mm,Rear:+0mm
Backspacing: Front:4.5",Rear:5.25"
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Old Feb 15, 2018 | 05:19 PM
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Re: Lowered 1.5" with 17x9.5 Up Front?

That works, probably won't even need a hammer
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Old Feb 15, 2018 | 05:20 PM
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Re: Lowered 1.5" with 17x9.5 Up Front?

Originally Posted by //<86TA>\\
That works, probably won't even need a hammer
only worried about that cause I'm lowered, otherwise I'm sure it'd be no problem.
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Old Feb 17, 2018 | 01:58 AM
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Re: Lowered 1.5" with 17x9.5 Up Front?

Thanks to Streetstuff and //<86TA>\\ I have just ordered the same wheels. My 91 TA has been lowered an inch. I ordered 18 X 8 for the front and 18 X 9 1/2 for the rear. I live in Australia and can hardly wait for them to arrive which should be 2 to 3 weeks. I will let you know when they arrive. I am replacing my original 16 inch wheels. Thanks for your help!!!
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Old Feb 17, 2018 | 01:22 PM
  #12  
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Axle/Gears: Moser full floater m9, 3:70 trutrac
Re: Lowered 1.5" with 17x9.5 Up Front?

Originally Posted by Streetstuff
only worried about that cause I'm lowered, otherwise I'm sure it'd be no problem.
I ran wider wheels on my 92 and only had to lightly hammer the front lower wheel well, and I was a lot lower
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Old Feb 18, 2018 | 02:18 PM
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Re: Lowered 1.5" with 17x9.5 Up Front?

//<86TA>\\ What size tires were you running front and rear on your 92? I will be looking for tires when my wheels arrive in Australia. Thanks, Ron
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Old Feb 18, 2018 | 03:14 PM
  #14  
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Re: Lowered 1.5" with 17x9.5 Up Front?

18x10.5 with 295/35 on all 4 corners
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Old Feb 18, 2018 | 03:18 PM
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Re: Lowered 1.5" with 17x9.5 Up Front?

So, you have 295's on all four corners? I am surprised they fit ok. I was thinking of 235 on the front and 275 on the rear. So, you think I can go wider with maybe a larger profile? I am used to my old 16 inch tires.
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Old Feb 18, 2018 | 04:09 PM
  #16  
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Axle/Gears: Moser full floater m9, 3:70 trutrac
Re: Lowered 1.5" with 17x9.5 Up Front?

The 8" wheel you bought will take a 245/40/18 nicely, you really can't go wider on that wheel.
The 9.5 will take a 275/35?/18 maybe a 285.

You can run pretty wide wheels and tires on these things, but clearances are tight so they have to be right.
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Old Feb 18, 2018 | 04:15 PM
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Re: Lowered 1.5" with 17x9.5 Up Front?

I feel good with the 245 on the front but do you think I could go with a 245/45/18? And, maybe a 275/45/18 on the rear?
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Old Feb 18, 2018 | 05:43 PM
  #18  
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Car: 86 Trans Am
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Axle/Gears: Moser full floater m9, 3:70 trutrac
Re: Lowered 1.5" with 17x9.5 Up Front?

No, the height is wrong for the front. It might work for the rear but it's an odd size.

You may not fully understand how tires are sized.

The second number of the tire size (aspect ratio) is a percentage, not a real number, so buying a tire base on the aspect ratio won't get you what you want. For instance, on my 86 I run a 245/40/18 up front and a 335/30/18 out back. The rear tire is a little taller than the front despite the lower aspect ratio since the tire is so wide.
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Old Feb 20, 2018 | 10:12 AM
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Re: Lowered 1.5" with 17x9.5 Up Front?

Hey 86TA I went with 245/40 in the front and 275/40 in the back. Maybe I should have went 245/45 in the front? They would've both been 26.7" then. I guess an inch less tire height in the front can't look too bad.
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Old Feb 20, 2018 | 11:49 AM
  #20  
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Axle/Gears: Moser full floater m9, 3:70 trutrac
Re: Lowered 1.5" with 17x9.5 Up Front?

26.7 won't fit the front, it will hit everything.

What u have will look fine
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Old Feb 20, 2018 | 11:57 AM
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Re: Lowered 1.5" with 17x9.5 Up Front?

245-40-18 and 275-35-18 are the same diameter tires as stock and looking from the side, there will be minimal difference between the stagger.

Just run 275-35-18 on all 4 corners and call it a day. 245/275 is going to make the car automatically understeer (the cars have 55% of the weight up front) and will not brake as well either.
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Old Feb 20, 2018 | 02:53 PM
  #22  
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Re: Lowered 1.5" with 17x9.5 Up Front?

Well I've already got everything ordered so nothing is changing anytime soon. The car is no where near complete so the weight distribution is going to be all over the place anyway.
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Old Feb 20, 2018 | 03:37 PM
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Re: Lowered 1.5" with 17x9.5 Up Front?

Paul_huryk I was also planning on 245 40 18 upfront and 275 35 18 at the rear. You said 245 would understeer. Would I be better to go with 235 up front? I think the look would look ok and I dont want too bad of understeer. I will be purchasing my tires when my wheels come over in about a week. Thanks for any help.
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Old Feb 20, 2018 | 05:06 PM
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Re: Lowered 1.5" with 17x9.5 Up Front?

Originally Posted by yankeecarman
Paul_huryk I was also planning on 245 40 18 upfront and 275 35 18 at the rear. You said 245 would understeer. Would I be better to go with 235 up front? I think the look would look ok and I dont want too bad of understeer. I will be purchasing my tires when my wheels come over in about a week. Thanks for any help.
All he is saying is that these cars are nose heavy, so adding traction to the rear will make the from understeer more. This doesn't mean the car will he any worse, or dangerous for most driving, just that the front will tend to loose grip before the rear.

A 235 is narrower so it makes the problem worse.

Unless your racing the car, or pushing it to it's limits, you probably won't notice
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