18X9 Ordered....now which tires?!

[nickbrace]

Hey all,

I have just ordered 18 X 9's in chrome bullitts for my GT and now have to decide on tires! What are the biggest/fattest tires I can get on these rims?? I have a feeling it would be 255/45 front and 285/40 at back but I just wanna check to see that is correct before ordering them!!!!

Thanks for ya help.

 

[redline 350z]

1 name nitto

 

[GarageLogic]

I would not recommend running a 285 tire on a nine inch rim. The optimum rim size for this tire is 10 or 11 inches. Since it looks like you will be running 18x9's all the way around, I would stick with the 255/45 size. That will give you a 10 inch contact path (only 1 inch less than the 285's) and much better handling. Ideal rim wdth for a 255 tire is 8-9.5 inch rim.

As for tires, I would recommend the Nitto 555 or BFG KDW2.

 

[9thpony]

Bfg Kdw2

I would recommend BFG KDW2-NT 255/45-18's all around for that setup. I looked it up and the minimum wheel width for the 285/40-18 is 9.5", with optimal being more like 10" so I'm not sure it would be a good fit for a 9" wheel.

You can see pictures of that exact setup here:
http://www.pbase.com/deddleman/2005_mustang

Doug

 

[Tri-Bar]

275-40-18's, Is almost the same overall size as stock at 26.7*, were stock is 27*.

 

[subzero05]

Yep, I have the 275-40-18's all around and they are sweet with my chrome bullitts..um,um good!

 

[4511.21]

The 255/45/18 are closer in size to OEM. Not much of a concern with anyone with a programmer though. I was using this link helping me decide on sizes:
http://www.1010tires.com/TireSizeCalculator.asp?action=submit

I went with the 255's in the BFG KDW2 since I wasn't losing much tread width and saving about $50 a tire. Also BFG only has the traditional tread and not the "NT" (new tread) available in the 275/40ZR18 size.