Widest tire that will fit on 9 inch rear rim??

[yamajon]

I wonder what is the widest tire I can fit on the back of my 87 targa with 9inch rims w;o mods?i do not mind having to use a spacer.I currently have 245/45r16
thanks,john

[GrantG]

You really don't want to go much (any) wider on a 9" rim. Tires perform best when using the largest rim that will fit properly in the tire. Going bigger just adds weight and distorts the shape of the tire to fit. I personally wouldn't use anything more than 255 at the absolute most, even if you could get a 275 to physically fit.

[Bill Verburg]

JMO, but I would stick w/ the 245/45 and get the car lowered and corned balanced, it's sitting way too high in that pic.

[tonythetarga]

You might want to think about lowering the car first. Going wider with the car at that height will make it look like the wheels are sticking out of the wheel wells. If you lower the car the 245's will fill it out nicely. Only my opinion

ps, Hey Bill...I like the way you think and you nipped me by a few seconds!

[ChkbookMechanic]

I'm running a 255 wide tire on my 9x17 rims and it fits just fine. I don't think I would go any wider on these without going to a wider rim.

I'll third the suggestion of getting the car lowered and corner balanced (and aligned if you haven't done that in a while). It does wonders.

[Oh Haha]

+1 for CB and lowering/alignment

My car was transformed simply by doing the "tripod" method on my own. Finished up with an alignment and she is freakin' awesome.

BTW-I'm running 245.45 rear on a 16x8 wheel, 205.55 front on a 16x7 wheel. Sumitomo HTRz tires.

[JMatta]

Looks like you're ready for an off-road rally.

[Cory M]

we have run 275 Hoosiers on 9*17's, took some work to make it all fit though

[Joe Bob]

9s and 8s with 245/45s are the best you'll do w/o a flair job.

[yamajon]

Thanks for the wise advice.I am gonna get the car lowered and corner balanced.So I dont get hosed..what's a fair price to pay for that along with an alignment? john

[KTL]

You can actually use a spacer at the rear if you want to push the wheels out to the fenders. I have 16x9 ET =+15mm BBS RS wheels just like those pictured by John. I have 245/45 Victoracers and 14mm H&R spacers on the rear to push them out to the fenders. Although I will admit the Victoracer is not a very wide 245/45. It doesn't appear much wider than the 225/50 on 16x8's that I have in the front.

[tonythetarga]

Originally Posted by yamajon

Thanks for the wise advice.I am gonna get the car lowered and corner balanced.So I dont get hosed..what's a fair price to pay for that along with an alignment? john

During the lowering process the rear spring plate bushings should be replaced. The bushings are cheap and I'd recommend the neatrix that our host sells. You may also need the bushing cover that holds the torsion bar in place. (metal cap with the 4 bolts). Those have a tendancy to rust on the inside and then tear at the bushing as the suspension moves.

As far as lower, corner balance and alignment goes, prices vary in different regions. I lowered my car myself but the corner balance and alignment cost me about 4 hours of labor. Labor rates are very reasonable here in Western NY with an excellent selection of knowledgable shops to choose from. Lowering will add at least a couple of hours if the bushings are OK. If you need bushings as well, keep adding time. I'd budget for 8 hours of time at whatever your shop rates are.

[yamajon]

Originally Posted by KTL

You can actually use a spacer at the rear if you want to push the wheels out to the fenders. I have 16x9 ET =+15mm BBS RS wheels just like those pictured by John. I have 245/45 Victoracers and 14mm H&R spacers on the rear to push them out to the fenders. Although I will admit the Victoracer is not a very wide 245/45. It doesn't appear much wider than the 225/50 on 16x8's that I have in the front.

There should be approx a 7/8 inch difference in width...john

[ChkbookMechanic]

Originally Posted by yamajon

Thanks for the wise advice.I am gonna get the car lowered and corner balanced.So I dont get hosed..what's a fair price to pay for that along with an alignment? john

I don't know what the prices are up north but down here in Texas I paid ~$280 for a corner balance, height adjustment and alignment and it took about 2.5 hours. I'd call around and see what various shops say the going rate is.

[KTL]

Originally Posted by yamajon

There should be approx a 7/8 inch difference in width...john

That's my point. Theoretical section width numbers tell you they're supposed to be 20mm different (245mm - 225mm). Published info. by Kumho says section widths are 9.7" vs. 9.2"

I paid $125 out the door for an alignment here in IL in July. I did the corner balance and ride height myself with a friend's Longacre scales.