mikem

I have the stock 17'' Bullits and want to know what is the widest tire i can run on these rims?What brands(I like the Nittos).

daveyramone

One of the guys that posts here is running 255/40-17s on his stock wheels. They look great!

GRAYPNY

I have a set of 255-50/17 Nittos waiting to be installed as soon the car arrives.

LordBritish

Perhaps I don't understand wheels but I thougt the tire width is largely dictated by your rims.

In other words I can't see how you can put a skinnier or wider tire on the same rims. I can see how you can use taller or shorter tires (overall diameter) using the same rims (requiring a computer adjustment).

The only way I can see a wider tire installed on the same rims is for it to bulge out (width wise) which from a physics point of view is not good since it means the tire will have a tendency to increase in diameter the faster it turns.

Unless I've misunderstood something, it seems that in order to get wider tires, you need wider rims.

sodaman

I have seen some post 275/50/17 as being the widest to put on these 17 inch rims, which is probably close to the 255/40/17's you spoke of. Good luck tho. Speak with your tire guy, and try one on, and see what they look like.

The Boss Hog

No offence, but I think you are misunderstanding what is going on. The larger 255/50R17 is rated by BFG for rim width of 7.0 to 9.0 inches. It has a section width of 10.4 inches on an 8.0 inch rim meaning it does in fact "bulge out" beyond the edge of the rim. That section width will vary slightly depending of the rim width. The tread width as well as the diameter of the tires will not vary. They are control by many things including steel belts that do not stretch in either width or circumference.

Hope this helps,

The Boss Hog

zoomerman46

Hi I wouldn't go over 255/50's on the stock 8 in rim.I put on a set 95 Corba R Rims OEM from Ford they are +24 mm offset.I put on them Nitto N450's 275/50-17 Tires Went with the 450 instead of 555's because they didn't come 275/50 sizes.The tires are great no to load stick to the road Launch the car pretty well.
here is a pic of the car

Axleshaft

Why not go with something like a 265/55/17. It's wider and taller to fill up the fender gap. I'm thinking of this and a 1" drop in the back only... should look good.

XG14

I remember an earlier post 255-50-17 doesn't require a speedometer re-calibration.

adrenalin

This is what it comes down to. The widest tire that should be put onto a stock 17" rim is 255 series. That is what all manufacturers recommend. If any shop if willing to put wider tires than 255's on the rim they only care about 1 thing, your cash, definately don't care about your safety. 275 tires are meant for rims around 9" wide.

SaleenPowr

Maybe so but thats just your opinion. On my 99GT I had the stock 17" 5 spokes with 255's up front and 275's int he back. Never had a problem with drivability and only had to replace the 275's once in the 5 year span I had the car. And that's with multiple trips to the track.

275's will fit just fine.

adrenalin

My opinion and several tire manufacturers.

SixtySix

And me a former tire changer.

acadian

It's not only an issue of safety. If you put 275's on a 8" wheel, the sidewalls are going to be bulging out so much, it's just going to look odd. That may be my opinion, but I'm sure it would be many others as well. The best tire for the stock bullitts are 255/50/17. IMO, 255/40/17 tires which have a smaller diameter will make the wheel wells look even larger than they already are. So, I would go with the 255/50/17 tires which is what I will be putting on my car.

bamaburnum

Here is a closeup of 255/50R17 on 8" wheels. Same height as stock tires.

LordBritish

So far, the stock Pirellis seems to be pretty good.

I just can't see myself spending another $1000 to replace perfectly good tires (only 3500 miles on the car so far).

However, when they wear out, I may consider different rims/tires.

Clem

I'm with you, Lord B (But I have only 1700 miles). However, I noticed that a friend's Lexus RX330 had the same size tread that my GT has. This is on a softly sprung SUV.

But what do you do with slightly worn 235's that no one wants. Seems a shame to toss them and I don't want them collecting dust in the shed forever because I feel to guilty to throw them out.

bamaburnum, your tires look great, but they just don't look that much wider than the 235's. Heck, my 2004 F-150 has stock 275's on it!

Wish the Bullits were wider........

SaleenPowr

Two pics of my 99gt with 275's on the back. Fits just fine, no problems and no uneven wear. went with this set up for 4+ years before I sold the car.
http://community.webshots.com/photo/...63956550PiOdKh

http://community.webshots.com/photo/...63956487dNUkCO

new22003

Wow those bulge quite a bit kinda scary.

SaleenPowr

Not nearly as much as you think.