I know very little about tires. I know they go on rims, good tires are expensive, and bad tires = bad times. Looking for a good size to put on my new rims from AM. 8.5x20 up front, 10x20's out the back. Car is a daily driver, looking to lower about 1 1/2 in the future (if that matters). I was looking at Nexen 3000's but dont know what size to go with.

Thanks

Matthew

 

20's plus that big a drop is going to make the thing ride **** rough, I would think, but you probably know that and aren't concerned. Calling up Tire Rack and asking them for a reco on this wouldn't be a bad idea.

 

Look at Toyo Proxes Plus-4

255/35R20 up front and a 295/30R20 out back. That'll keep you at the stock 27" tire diameter. The GT500 uses a 28" tire out back, so you could consider a 275/35R20 if the rears rub. (with that low of a drop, they might if the wheel offset is really aggressive.)

I am running those tires and in that 255/35r20 and a 295/30r20, and the rears rub on big bumps, but the back on my car is dropped a little more than 1.5".

Keep in mi

 

I've got 295 30 20s with 1.25 inch drop and no rubbing.

 

The tire rubbing issue is all dependent on the wheel offset and wheel width, not necessarily related to lowering.

Many aftermarket wheels have less backspacing to push the wheels outwards giving a wider stance and flush appearance, but if you choose your wheel, width, and backspacing carefully, you can run 295 or 305 tires without rubbing.

 

I run toyo proxes 255/35s up front and 295/30s out back with BMR springs and Koni's and the ride is pretty good. It gets rough when the roads are terrible but it's a pretty good dd for what I have

 

Yeah I figured the ride wouldnt be the best after but I am ok with that. I will call T.R. but I kinda wanted an idea of what would fit before calling so I dont look like a total Noob that they try and take advantage of.

Thanks for the heads up about rub.

Cool. Thanks.

Well I picked up a set Charcole AMRs from American Muscle. I dont think anyone has reported rubbing issues with them. But I will keep it in mind.

Thanks. Even though I bought 20's I kinda was the best ride possible still.

Matthew

 

You should be fine on offset unless it's really aggressive. mine are, but the stance is worth it. +33 offset on a 10" wheel.

 

Pics? Also how far off is your speedo vs how fast you are actually going? Can the speedo be fixed with a tuner?

Thanks,
Matthew

 

Danielle's advice is dead on. I'm running these same wheels with 255/35/20 fronts and 305/30/20 rears on Ford K Springs. I would go with 295's in hindsight because there is some bulge (heyoo!) with the 305's.

There are no clearance issues, rubbing or anything out of the ordinary. The AMR's are made specifically for this platform. As long as you install some decent shocks/struts & gt500 strut mounts, I think you'll find the ride quality surprisingly compliant except for the most horrible of road conditions, as Nick mentioned. Congrats on the wheels and good luck picking tires. The AMR's are priced so good that tires actually cost more! Post pics soon, can't wait to see your ride.

 

Speedo is dead on. Last pic is a good comparison of stock ride height vs my K Springs.

 

All things being equal, the brand of tire is going to have a marked effect in the ride quality. Some brands have very stiff sidewalls while others are slightly more compliant without sacrificing handling. Keep in mind the tire has “spring” to it and is very closely considered when the suspension package is tuned together. If you have the bucks to spend, get the best money can buy: Michelin Pilot Super Sport (Not just my opinion). They match very well with the Mustang. Compared to the stock balloons on your car right now, your ride quality may suffer very slightly, however that can be compensated for with alternative springs (Even lowering springs) and dampers. I guarantee you just about any tire you put on your ride at this point will be quieter than the Pirelli’s on it.

Be careful when selecting tire width. Aside from the obvious question of wheel offset and rubbing, you want your sidewalls to be “Straight” or parallel to the wheels centerline (In line with the wheels bead). If they bulge over the bead (Tire too wide for the wheel) the handling is really going to be compromised. If the sidewalls pull in (Tire too narrow for the wheel), rolling the tire off the bead can easily happen and the ride quality, no matter the brand, is going to be terrible.
Enjoy the new wheels and tires. They will change the look and demeanor of your Mustang more than any other single thing you will add to it.

John

 

So so are I have been suggested 255/35R20 up front and a 295/30R20 out back by The Diva with no rub issues and speedo dead on

295 30 20s all around by CaliSP

255/35s up front and 295/30s by Onelildude with BMR springs with no rub issues and faily good DD

255/35/20 fronts and 305/30/20 rears on Ford K Springs by Essque, but says he would rather have gone with 295s do to bulge (hey oh) but no rub issues.

I asked the same question over on MustangForums.com and recieved
245 35 20 and 285 30 20
or 255 35 20 and 275 35 20

Seems like the general consensus is
255/35-20 up front and 295/30-20 out the back. Thanks for the help.

Has anyone run Nexen N3000s before? I found them for about $105 and $156 per. Car is a DD, no track runs, no auto cross, occasional rain (5 times a year).

Thanks again for all the help,
Matthew

 

What about 255/40/20 front (28.0" tall), and a 285/35/20 (27.9" tall") or 295/35/20 (28.1" tall) rear tire.

This will give an extra 1/2" sidewall cushion on your 20's over the other sizes recommended, while IMO, preventing your car from having the 4x4 wheel gap look from undersized diameter tires, that is unless you plan to put a 2" drop on the front and 2.5" on the rear.

Never heard of Nexen Tire, ever, but there are hundreds of brands of generic tires on the market. I personally do not like generic tires, I always find the tire compounds lacking, ride quality worse than average, and worse quality control with tires being more out of round than name brand tires. If they are cheap and you don't mind taking the gamble, go for it. Worse thing that could happen is that you don't like them and you can start saving for a better tire.

 

Kn,

I agree with your first line. I put 275/35/20 on the front and 315/35/20 on the rear. If I had it to do over again I would put 40 series tires on the front or 30 series on the rear so their sidewall profile would more closely match the rears. Purely for aesthetic reasons. Doing that however would have unbalanced the tire gap from front to rear making it tighter on the front than the rear. Right now the gap is almost 2" front and rear for that "Nice" 4x4 look Ford seems to be so proud of. Lowering, (in my opinion 1”) pulls the correct look for these cars together.

John

 

Not trying to get off topic but is that a dent right above your drivers side wheel TheDivaDanielle?

 

Sorry but what is "40 series" and "30 series"?

Matthew

 

He is referring to the height of the tires sidewall.

 

yup.... not mission critical to have it fixed at the moment, keep putting it off for more important stuff, like recent dental bills, etc.

 

that's nuts! a 29" rear tire where a 27" normally resides? sheesh.