I've been trying to identify what some of RWD owners the groups are using for non-standard (OEM 235/70-15) tires. I'm looking at some new 17 inch wheels on my Fltwd, and having problems deciding which size tire would be best to mount. Once you get away from the standard size, price and availability become big factors.

I know a number of sizes will work (235/60-17, 245/55-17 and 255/55-17), but I would like to find out what is currently in use by some of the group who have gone to a larger wheel size.

I'm going to keep it conservitave at 17 inch wheels. Any help would be appreciated to know what will work on the Fltwd.

thanks

255 55 17 is the same height as stock, and will look good. You could also use a 275 50 17, and it will be stock height as well. The 275s are cheaper, too. Don't go with a shorter tire than stock (245/55-17) on a car with stock height springs. Also, your tire width choice will be dictated by the width of your wheel. 8.5 wide is a good choice, and 255s or 275s will both work.

If you want to do some comparisons on sizing, check out this cool site (http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html).

Thanks for the input. I'm not sold on anything yet, nor considering the 245/55-17. Why is the slightly smaller 0.2 inch radius that much of an issue? Does it change the geometry enough to potentially cause bottoming on heavy bumps?

I want to keep it as close as possible to overall stock dimensions as possible. I had not considered the 275s on 8 inch rims. thanks.

If you want stock height and you are going to go with an 8" wide wheel, go with a 255 55 17. It is the exact same height as stock. If you want to go to an 8.5" wheel you could go with the 275 50 17 which is only off by .1".

A lot of fbody guys run 17x9.5" wheels with a 275/40/R17 size tire(this size came stock on SS and WS6 cars). It'll ride stiffer than some of the other tire sizes discussed, but its a great size if you want a high performance tire on there.

A lot of fbody guys run 17x9.5" wheels with a 275/40/R17 size tire(this size came stock on SS and WS6 cars). It'll ride stiffer than some of the other tire sizes discussed, but its a great size if you want a high performance tire on there.

Wow, I think there would be some issues with running a tire that short on a Fleetwood - it's 2.3" shorter than stock, plus the load ratings on those tires are a lot lower.

I have 17" wheels on my FWB, and I am running 255/55-17's on them. However, I can't take credit for this, it's how I bought the car a few months ago. The tires are almost new, so it should be awhile before I have to replace them. The wheels are aluminum alloys from an Impala SS, and they have a center hub cover that matches the brushed aluminum, with an old-style wreath and crest. They look pretty sharp on the Brougham... just different enough to look GOOD, without looking "out-there".:)

Thanks guys. I was looking for your experience and comments. I also checked some cars out on Car Domain. Seems loke a common selection is the 255/55-17. I think the slightly larger sidewall profile is what I'll go with over the 275/50s. I also found some wheels on sale at Tire Rack that I may get.

Ok, do you know how hard it is to find a tire in size 255/55-17? It's near impossible. I've been looking all night and found only 3 each. One was the Avon Turbospeed, OEM on a Bently and very expensive $358+, one was a Goodyear Eagle RS-A that got horrible reviews, and the last one was an SUV tire by Dunlop, again rather expensive $160.

Any suggestions?

Badcadlover:

Yes, I know the wheels of which you speak. I think they are some of the nicest wheels around. Simple, yet very pleasing to the eye. A very classic look.

What brand tires are on your ride? I may need to find some just like it. I'm still having trouble finding the tires.

thanks

Ok, do you know how hard it is to find a tire in size 255/55-17? It's near impossible. I've been looking all night and found only 3 each. One was the Avon Turbospeed, OEM on a Bently and very expensive $358+, one was a Goodyear Eagle RS-A that got horrible reviews, and the last one was an SUV tire by Dunlop, again rather expensive $160.

Any suggestions?

I know what you mean. I may end up going to 245/55/17 or even 255/50/17 to get the tire that I want.

I think I bought the last set of 255/55/17 Michelin Pilot MXMs from tirerack back in Feb. 2008. They were ~$300/each.

It is a rare size, commonly found on the Dodge Durango R/T.

Your best bet is to get your PCM reprogrammed for the 255/50/17 size which is what the Impala SS comes with from the factory.

I think I bought the last set of 255/55/17 Michelin Pilot MXMs from tirerack back in Feb. 2008. They were ~$300/each.

I think that tire is being discontinued. Tirerack only shows two sizes at Closeout: 225/55/15 and 225/45/17.

Yeah good tires are expensive - I'm considering giving the Pirelli PZero Rosso a try at almost $300/each.

I plan to check out the Dunlop Sport Rover GTX at a local dealer to see how they look. If I like them, I'll get them from TR @$161.00

I think I bought the last set of 255/55/17 Michelin Pilot MXMs from tirerack back in Feb. 2008. They were ~$300/each.

It is a rare size, commonly found on the Dodge Durango R/T.

Your best bet is to get your PCM reprogrammed for the 255/50/17 size which is what the Impala SS comes with from the factory.

Or the 275-50-17's on the '95, which I always loved, both in fit and performance. All season but not SUV/truck biased, and also refined on the road. Never an issue.

There's only 2 choices in this size, and 255/55's are rare as well, but I'm still more inclined to do the 275's because of the 2 choices they're both "better" than what can be had in the 255/55 for the dough--not spending $250+ each, that is. There are a LOT more 255/50 choices, but that's just too small overall of a tire...and looks it on the Fleetwood. Looks perfect on the Impala SS where it was OEM, but not on a bigger Caddy.

There are a LOT more 255/50 choices, but that's just too small overall of a tire...and looks it on the Fleetwood. Looks perfect on the Impala SS where it was OEM, but not on a bigger Caddy.

It actually looks good on lowered Fleetwoods ;)


EDIT:

Here is a picture of my Fleetwood from way back in the day. I had 255/50/17 tires with chrome Impala SS wheels & custom Cadillac center emblems:

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j69/leloz/caddylowres.jpg

It actually looks good on lowered Fleetwoods ;)
[/IMG]


Which is what I said in my first response. Stock height, not so much.

How about these 275 50 17s? Falken Ziex S/TZ-01. 420 treadwear, A A traction/temp, H speed. 129 bucks!

http://www.discounttiredirect.com/product/tires/falrh1.ang.jpg

It actually looks good on lowered Fleetwoods ;)


True, mostly. The elimination of the larger gap--much like what happens with an Impala SS as stock--makes the 255/50's look fitting. Still smaller, but fitting.

I guess once I was used to having such large, filled out treads on the Fleetwood...anything smaller just seemed overly puny to me;)

The 275s Nittos I have on my '95 Fleetwood that I bought from Caddycruiser look great & ride pretty good. They are wide and give the Fleetwood an aggressive stance, the only downside is they rub the front sway bar on full turns.


http://memimage.cardomain.com/member_images/9/web/3129000-3129999/3129522_4_full.jpg

...the only downside is they rub the front sway bar on full turns.

Yep, I was used to that early on. No full lock turns;)

But at the same time, both this car and our '93 seemed to rub even with the stock 235's at lock--or something--up front, so I was already used to it. Not perfect, but I liked them, even with that little glitch.

Well, it''s been back to the drawing board for me. The wheels I wanted at TireRack were no longer available from ASA and TR had only one in stock.

I'm trying to keep this somewhat conservative as it is my wife's Fltwd. I found a set of 16 inch ASA wheels on EBay that I had been looking for in the 17 inch size. The TRS model, in Silver. I thought that would look nice with the Light Adriatic Blue car color. I know my wife will not want something really flashy or too low profile. I also found a couple of tires available in size 235/65-16. After this little project is done, I'll possibly consider a prom modification with my Fltwd to change the tire diameter with more available tire selections.

I've also been toying with the idea of the Impala SS OEM replica wheels. The center caps would be manufacture logo, not Chevy.

Back to tire size, my measurements on the back wheel well show that 255 is about as wide as you can comfortably install with a zero offset. I measure about 0.2 inch side clearance @255mm cross section width. Do people really stuff 275s behind the fender skirt?

I believe those who run wider than 255 bend up the "handles" on the side skirts.

I had to shave the fenderskirt handle tabs even with the 255/50/17s on a 17X8.5 wheel.

Finally got the new set of wheels and tires last week. Finished the install today. The whels are 16 inch with P255/60R16 Kumho "Road Venture APT". The 16 inch wheels clear my SSBC two piston calipers, so they finally got installed also.

I took a few pics today before it got too dark, unfortunately the tires were not cleaned up yet...still have the manufacturing slime on them.

Nice, looks good! :thumbsup:

How are the brakes?

Thanks. Brakes are a definite improvement. It may have been the pads I use, but the FLTWD stopping power has always felt less than my FLTWB. The Brougham will stop on a dime, but the FLTWD always needed a lot of pedal. The SSBC add lots of improvement. If they hold up, I think they will be worth the investment.

Note to all: In my previous thread I warned, the SSBC bolt on application for the FLTWD/Impala indicates it will fit with 15 inch wheels. That is false. The stock 15 inch wheels and stock 15 in steel wheels did not clear the SSBC calipers. 16 in wheels clear with about 1/8 to 1/4 in of space.

94 fleetwood,
curently 235/70/15 tires
How large of a 15" tire can I fit under this thing?
I need to stay with 15's.
thanks, jerry

If you want a taller tire, you can squeeze 235/75/15s in there.

If you want a wider tire, you can squeeze 255/60/15s.