I have 18x9.5 Bullitt Rims and plan on getting wider tires compared to these slim stock tires I'm running now. I've checked several threads here and other forums as well and figured that going 255 or 265 Front and 285 Rear should be good. Also, my Stang is lowered (1in Front/1.23in Rear). Is this a safe set up or would the fitting, suspension, and handling be thrown off??? I really wanted to go 305s in the rear, but from all the threads I've read this is definitely a No-Go.. Justed need some confirmation. Thanks!!

 

So you have 9.5" wheels on all four corners?

285's will certainly fit out back and is the max width tire on your wheels. I am not sure you can run a set of 285's up front, without some modifications for clearance. Typically, the liner has to be removed/cut to make some room. The GT500's come with a set of 255's on 9.5" wheels, so I know those would work, provide the off-set of your wheels is +50mm

Jazzer

 

Thanks Jazzer for the quick response. Yes, I have 9.5" on all 4 corners. Exactly, I think the widest I can go on the front is 265, but after what you had posted and doing some further research, I think 255s in the front will be the perfect fit. If I remember correctly a GT500 comes with a set of 255/45 front and 285/40 rear. So I think that's the route I will go once the stock tires wear out.

Also, I understand that size may differ from one name brand to another. For example one brand of 255s maybe a little thinner than another brand of 255s. Right now I'm looking at Nitto's but I'm open to any other brands as well.

The purpose of this set up is for daily driving and some extra fun on the road as well. In time I will hit the tracks (once I upgrade my gears from 3:34 to 3:73 which is another thread for later).. Again thanks!!

 

Yes.... some tires run "thinner" than others, in the same size. I don't know why, but Nitto falls into this catagory. I know BFG's tend to run wider, so they go the other way. If looking to hold the road, 255's and 275's would be a better combo, IMO. Could even go 255's all around as even better and allows proper tire rotation, provided you get tires that can be rotated in such a way or even want to rotate.

What tires are you considering?

Jazzer

 

Thanks for the input and I'm definately taking your advice into consideration. So far I've looked into the Nittos, Sumitomo, and Pirelli P-Zero Nero. I also forgot to mentioned the I would also prefer "All Season" tires as well. but will settle for summer tires only if I can't find the perfect match. So far I've only been to the American Muscle Website, but the selection for "All Season" is limited. So I will look into latemodel restoration, tiretrack, and cj ponys. If you know of any other vendor, that would appreciated as well. As it looks for far, I'm leaning towards the NITTOS and Sumitomos (which do you think is best between these two products??

Also what size tires are you running???

 

There are many tires within each of the manufacturers you have mentioned, so you need to be more specific. If you are looking for grip, I would not look at Summer-only tires as settling Why do you prefer All Seasons....? if you go with them, that is going to limit your grip to some degree. Few questions for ya..... do you still have your original wheels, do you have a heavy wet or very cold season in Hohenfels and do you forsee being there for the life of these new tires?

Jazzer

 

On the American Muscle website (High Performance Summer Tires), I've been looking at the Nitto Extreme Performance NT555 Tire 255/35-20 (item#76005) and the Nitto Extreme Performance NT555 tire 285/30-20 (item#76006). Instead of the Sumitomos, I've been also looking at the Mickey Thompson Street Comp Tire 255/45-18 (item#79537) and Mickey Thompson Street Comp 285/35-19 (item#79540). I'm new to tires so at the time of the previous post, did not realize the benefits of "summer tires."

I do have my original tires which are "all seasons" tires and they are all still in very good condition. The weather in Hohenfels/Regensberg, Germany is usually warm in the Summer, and heavy wet/very cold season during the winter (and heavy snow from about DEC to MAR). However, I just received orders that I will be leaving March 2013 enroute to Ft. Lewis Washington (this will be my first time living in the West Coast)..

 

a_lopez1975,

It sounds like you and Jazzer have already pin pointed what you would like to get out your tires and what Size you're going to with. I think a Staggered 255/285 set up will be perfect for your Stang! As far as brand goes Nitto and Mickey Thompson Summer tires will both be perfect for what you're looking for.

If you're going to be leaving Germany soon then I would definitely go with a set of Summer tires. I really don't think you can go wrong and am confident you'll be happy with what ever set up you go with!

Let me know if I can be of any assistance!

-Dan

 

Running a staggered tire sizing on a car that didn't start out that way will probably make it a little more understeerish under some conditions.

Several people have run or are running the 275/40-18 on the 18x9.5" GT500 wheels with no problems. Actually, when you mount a 255/45-18 on one 18x9.5 wheel and a 275/40-18 on another, there isn't much difference in the tire section width other than maybe at the shoulder areas. The 275/40 is fractionally shorter, which buys you back a little more clearance.


Norm

 

Thanks Dan and Norm for the additional information. And Norm, thanks for the 275s information. I plan on making this purchase around mid November (Xmas gift for myself), so I'm trying to gather as much information as possible so I have no room for error. And Dan, I'll be going through you guys with this tire purcahse (just orded a brand new adjustable panhard bar this morning from AM)..

Another question I have is in regards to a panhard bar and its affect with the rear alignment with having wider tires. Right now I'm running the Steeda Panhard Bar Brace Heavy Duty, but I also have a new Steeda Adjustable Panhard Bar. Which would be better? And I'm guessing some rear lower controls arms wouldn't hurt as well.

Again thanks for taking the time out with my questions....