285/50-20 vs. 275/45-20

[89Vette]

How much difference if fitment/clearance issues would their be?

Though I don't care for the rubber-band appearance, I do like the dub appearance -- if done well. (I have to admit it took awhile to soak in, but it did grow on me.)

I just ordered 20's last Friday. Now I need to choose tires. I'm pretty certain 275/45-20's will fit "out of the box". They are a bit less than 30" tires and should be even smaller than the 275/70-16's currently mounted on my VX.

Those 275/70-16's are 31" and seem to have plenty of room except with the front bumper (where there's less than 1/2" clearance). Obviously, the 275/45-20's should clear more readily -- since they're over 1" smaller in diameter.

To combat the rubber-band look, I've considered 285/50's. They appear to be 1/4" bigger than what I have now (and would be 1/2" wider). Because my current 275/70 tires are so close to the bumper as-is, I think I may have contact. I might be slight and I might be able to dremel off plastic w/o being able to notice the result (aesthetically).

But that doesn't account for differences in offset -- which may affect clearance too. I have no idea what 16" Borbet's have for clearance -- but that's what I'm taking off. (They might be for sale if someone is interested.)

My new wheels are 10mm offset. They'll probably ride out further. As such, it might be that the 275/45's would just barely clear? I'm thinking the less (inboard) offset wheels have, the more likely they are to contact the front bumper as you turn them into the wheel well. (Is that right?)

As with the wheels, I'd like to order tires online. Best prices are usually found that way. A set of four tires are $510 delivered. I think the 285/50's are about $50 higher.

Of course, there's the issue of MPG, effective wheel torque, blah-blah, blah...But, I'm not sure that change in size would make any difference.


BTW...I noticed (for the first time) that it's worthwhile to check out tire weights. A 275/45 in one brand was 41lbs. In another it's 46lbs. So there can be a significant difference. I'm pretty sure the "unsprung" weight of wheel/tire can change the steering/handling characteristics of a car.

I'm this case, I'm going with Falkens. They are one of the ligher options at 41lbs. So, the 285/50 size would be 46lbs -- which is the same weight as some 275/45 tires in other brands.

[JHarris1385]

I had 265/50-20 which were in between.

Check gallery if you want.

[Triathlete]

Anything will fit with a sawzall and bfh!

[89Vette]

I had 265/50-20 which were in between.

Check gallery if you want.

You already know I liked your wheel's (since I'd PM'd you about them).

I'm betting the 265's we're OK w/o trimming too.

[JHarris1385]

Forgot about that!

Yeah they were fine. My philosophy on tires and rims, is get what you want and make it work. There is a lot of room to play inside the wheel well and nothing a small trim can't fix on most applications.

[Ldub]

I had 265/50-20 which were in between.

X2


Once upon a time..FWIW

[Lizardmen3477]

I have 285/45/22s and they clear (bout 2 pieces of paper) between the front fender wells on full turns... just shy of 33" just need a lil cut on the inside front and maybe a lil hammer action on the inner of the back and ull be good to go

[eblank]

I've got 285/50/20's (with pics im my gallery). I had them with no lift and they were fine with a little trimming (nothing visible from the outside). Now I'm lifted, but there's some before and after pics. I also have a 10mm offset iirc.

[89Vette]

Once upon a time..FWIW

Datz Dub-tastic! Diggin' da vibe! Very nice. Like the slight bulge of the tire too. Any chance you remember the width of those wheels?

I have 285/45/22s and they clear (bout 2 pieces of paper) between the front fender wells on full turns... just shy of 33" just need a lil cut on the inside front and maybe a lil hammer action on the inner of the back and ull be good to go

A dead-ringer for your wheels made it to my top-2 choices. And, your pics in the wheel thread had me seriously considering 22's. Damn nice look to your ride Lizzard!!! If the Viscera's don't fit, then the DIP D04's are my next stop. Might even consider 22's if that happens. Something about that wheel...in that size....with those 45 tires...on a VX. Sweet!

Also thanks to eblank for letting me know a nip here, a tuck there, and the larger tire would be good to know. Of course, I'm considering those 265's. FWIW, 50's in the 265's and 285's are about $80/set more than the 275/45's. Wish is was the other way around!

Wheels hit the doorstep tomorrow. Then I'll test fit and order tires.


(BTW...If it wasn't for the noise and (much) higher cost, I'd probably go for the Terra-Grappler look! Can't beat that with a stick!

[Ldub]

Any chance you remember the width of those wheels?

Yep, they're 20 x 8", w/5" backspacing.

They look a bit different with the "proper" tires fitted...



My...how Suzy's grown...

[89Vette]

Yep, they're 20 x 8", w/5" backspacing.

I was thinking they might be a bit thinner than the 9's I bought. Definitely like the extra bulge that's gives it.

Thanks! I'd seen the mudder pics in the tire thread, but never had seen the street-ready version before.

[89Vette]

The 285/50-20's ended up getting my vote. Here's how it turned out....





FWIW, these Viscera 777 wheels wheren't totally bolt-on. I had to convert from the allen-cap screw in the hubs to hex, then grind off nearly half of their head profile for the wheels to hit the backing plate. (Longer studs and spacers would have been another option -- or machine shop to remove about 3/16" from the inside bore depth.)

I also had to modify a bit of the wheel well. Hope you enjoy.
89Vette

[Y33TREKker]

Looks good, and glad you were able to get the wheel fitment issue sorted out for the wheels you wanted.