Upsize Tires

I often drive my car on dirt logging logging roads here in Oregon, and am considering switching out my 225/40R18 tire/wheel to a 225/50/R17 all weather tire for some added clearance and a smoother ride. Will these fit? (I have a set of stock 17in rims). Is this a bad idea?

windcr8zy said:

I often drive my car on dirt logging logging roads here in Oregon, and am considering switching out my 225/40R18 tire/wheel to a 225/50/R17 all weather tire for some added clearance and a smoother ride. Will these fit? (I have a set of stock 17in rims). Is this a bad idea?

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Not a bad idea at all, but for every inch of additional tire diameter you only get 1/2 inch of additional ground clearance. The additional side wall will give a much smoother ride however.

Lifting the car is another option. I'm very happy with the Spaccer spacers up front for a 1" lift, and they can be installed without taking the suspension apart which was a big bonus for me. The rear can be either spaced up easily with thicker spring pads or taller springs from an Alltrack. You can also install Alltrack springs up front but it requires taking everything apart.

An the Alltrack 27' was the max size that can be fit without rubs, this correlates to 215-65-16 as a go to size as there are some great AT tires in that size, so you should be fine any may even want to try 225-55-17.

I'd have to wager the GSW is in the same boat, as that cladding or lift doesn't add any clearance as the rub issues becomes near the rockers by the mud flaps.

In order from largest to smallest:
215/65-16
225/50-18
225/55-17

These are the largest sizes that will fit in our wheelwells as 740GLE described. Front to back is the limitation.

FYI, I'm running a 225/60/16 snow tire on my GSW and it fits fine

Thanks guys, I went ahead and ordered the last set of Nokian WR G3 225/50 R17 in Oregon today. They'll be here Tuesday. Didn't want to throw off the speedometer too much. Thanks for the advice!

I’m running 245/50/16 drag radials on mine

windcr8zy said:

Thanks guys, I went ahead and ordered the last set of Nokian WR G3 225/50 R17 in Oregon today. They'll be here Tuesday. Didn't want to throw off the speedometer too much. Thanks for the advice!

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Actually you'll find that yourspeedometer will more accurate, your odometer will be slightly out though. From the factory they read higher than your real speed as measured with a GPS.