17x8s on malibu wagon tire size

[prostreet66]

looking into the 17x8s for the rear of my wagon. crager ss's with 3.5b.s whats the biggest size tire i could runonthe rear and id run a 17x7 up front any ideas what tire size would look the best. id like the rear ro be bigger of coarse

 

[StreetBu]

3.5" isnt enough backspacing, go with 4.25" or 4.5". Look at TONY_SS post about his "MaliFu" wagon, he's running a 285/40/17 with no issues and a rolled lip

 

[prostreet66]

i tried 4.5 on my car before on a 15x8 rim and they didnt fit the rim hit the frame

 

[jrm81bu]

i tried 4.5 on my car before on a 15x8 rim and they didnt fit the rim hit the frame

The rim hit or did the tire hit? Usually on 15's the 3.5 to 4 inch backspace range is ideal because of sidewall bulge. With larger diameter like 17's that range gets moved to 4 to 4.5 inch range since there is usually less sidewall flex.

 

[prostreet66]

didnt have a tire on the rim when i tried it. noway it would have worked, 15x8s with 4.5 inch b.s. so if i went 17s i should try 4 or 4.5?

 

[jrm81bu]

That sounds kinda odd but ya I ran 17x8 with 4.5in backspace with no problems.

 

[prostreet66]

yeah im not sure but its all stock, and 4.5 wasnt gunna happen. everyone i talked to said 3.5-4 inch would work perfect?

 

[quickie70]

My 17x9's are 5" backspace and needed a 1/2" spacer to clear, and I run a 275/40/17. I have a QP 9" in mine though and it's about .5" narrower than the stocker. I'd say a 3.5" to 4" backspace would work on a stock rear without a problem. I do have rolled lips and a 3" rear drop too. On an 8" rim, a 255-275 tire would work. On a 7" rim, anything from a 215-235 should be cool. Use the measurements tire manufacturers give you to measure. My 275/40's measure 25.6" tall with full treadlife. you can get more tire diamater in with less offset, but only to a point, eventually it'll hit the outer sidewall on the lip. I think perfect for you would be a 255/45 and a 225/50. that's a pretty sick combo.

 

[abigda]

I run a 275/60/15 ET street radial on my Elky, with torque thrust II's 15x8, 4 1/2" backspacing and they fit like a glove.

 

[Randy W]

My '80 Grand Am had 17x8 Boyd's Smoothie II's with 4.5" backspace, ran 275/40 on the rear and 245/45 on the front, not rub anywhere ever and the '80 Grand Am and SJ Grand Prix run springs that are 1.5" lower in the rear and 1" lower in the front than other G- bodies.

This is the car, stock height;