305/40/18 on a 9.5 wheel ?

[inkman101]

Hi, anyone running a 305/40/18 on a 9.5 wheel?

Thanks Pete

[214Chevy]

That seems a too wide for a 9.5" tire. I'm pretty sure the tire specs on a 305doesn't warrant a 9.5" tire. If you mount it, there would be alot of tire going inward, so to speak, from the rim not being wide enough. I'm no expert though. Just my $.02. I previously had 305's on an 11" rim. Not to mention a 40 sidewall for a 305 is pretty tall.

[Flash68]

Nitto's size chart recommends at least a 10.5 wide.

[inkman101]

Nitto says 10 to 12, will a 1/2 make a big deal? They are exactly what I want as far has size goes 27.75 high. I'm looking at Centerline rims and they only go up to 9.5.

Thanks
Pete

[Track Junky]

A 9.5" wide wheel isn't 9.5 wide. Measured width is what tire manufacturers go by. My guess is a 9.5" wheel is around 10 1/4" measured width. Recheck fitment specifications for specified tire and then measure from inside of lip to inside of lip on wheel.

[Vegas69]

It will probably work but I wouldn't go outside a tire manufacturers recommendation. That could bite you at the wrong time.

[BBC71Nova]

With a low profile tire I think it is even more critical to stay within the range. There just isnt that much sidewall there to perform the transition.

I'm running into similar problem while shopping for wheels and tires too. Unless you can spring for a uber pimp forged wheel it is hard to find many at 10" width. Who wants to spend the time and money on a minitub and put a 285 tire in there on the 9.5" wheel. Vintage Wheel Works now has an 18X11 wheel out though. Problem then is tires. Seems limited in the 305/35 - 315/35 range for 18" wheels. Oh the joys of project cars :D

[Flash68]

Yeah they already give a 2" wide range of comfort. I would not venture outside that even a half inch.

[inkman101]

Thanks, not what I wanted to hear, LOL but that was what my mind was thinking

Pete

[Flash68]

Thanks, not what I wanted to hear, LOL but that was what my mind was thinking

Pete

I would add that if you are planning on doing any type of performance driving with this car (street or track) I would def stay within recommended spec.

But if you are just gonna cruise and put around at low speeds, and maybe don't care about uneven wear or a perfectly matched wheel/tire you likely would be fine I'd think.

[214Chevy]

With a low profile tire I think it is even more critical to stay within the range. There just isnt that much sidewall there to perform the transition.

I'm running into similar problem while shopping for wheels and tires too. Unless you can spring for a uber pimp forged wheel it is hard to find many at 10" width. Who wants to spend the time and money on a minitub and put a 285 tire in there on the 9.5" wheel. Vintage Wheel Works now has an 18X11 wheel out though. Problem then is tires. Seems limited in the 305/35 - 315/35 range for 18" wheels. Oh the joys of project cars :D

As others stated, stay within tire manufacturers specs. In reference to BBC71Nova, yes...it becomes less choices out there when you venture into tire sizes above the 300 plus sizes. Also, rim size choices are slim too with 10" wide as many older cars won't allow a 10" rim. Our cars were built on the platform of 7" and 8" wide tires in 14" and some 15" diameters. Not 10" widths with 18", 19" and 20" diameters. Therefore, the only other option as you've stated is to fork over $5-$8k for the forged wheels and custom fit everything. That's the down side of things.