Getting Rid of That Space!

[chrisj]

I recently put on some 17-inch rims, but hate all that gap between the tire and the wheel well. I have a question about it.

Would it be possible to get a different tire size for the rim that would help take up all that slack space without looking ridiculous? That would be my alternative to lowering the car on the tires. Is something like that possible, and what would it look like?

[DeathBeard]

what tire size are you running right now?

[Klink10]

I'm in the same boat you are except I'm dealing with 16's. Trying to keep the same wheel diameter that was with my previous wheel package. It appears you might be running 30's or 40's. You could always go up (45/50/55/60) as far as tires go or just plan on some kind of lowering with either a spring/damper kit or coilovers. I wouldn't know about the look as far as the tire wheel combo but those seem to be the only solutions to your dilema as far as decreasing gap that I can see.

[33OH]

It is possible to fill it more with a larger profile but it will not eliminate the wheel gap and it will also raise your car.

I would just lower it.

[why?]

It is possible to fill it more with a larger profile but it will not eliminate the wheel gap and it will also raise your car.

I would just lower it.

What he said.

Also using different size tires could mess up your speedo and odometer, and will of course change how your car handles as well.

With the MI springs being so inexpensive, they are a natural fit.MI springs. (http://shop.microimageonline.com/Micro-Image-lowering-springs-MI-032.htm)

[chrisj]

Thanks for the info. Idiot me thought when I changed from the stock 14's to the 17's that the tire would fill in that gap. Of course, with a low-profile tire that doesn't happen.

I will check into those springs. Another ? How much to lower safely? I had been reading 1.5 inches or 2 inches. What about load? If I get 4 people in the car, are the tires gonna rub?

:/

[chrisj]

Okay, sorry. I clicked the springs link and saw it was 1.75 inches. But still, how about load? Obviously I have never done these things to a car before.

[33OH]

Most of that depends on the width and offset of your wheels, and also tire size.



The back of the rim will say ETxx (xx being a 2 digit number) - that is your offset.

Your wheel will also say 17 x ? JJ (the ? being the width in inches).

And tire size? 205/40/17 (just an example - 205 is width in mm, 40 is profile, 17 is rim size)


If you let us know these, we can let you know if you will rub or not.

[kimona]

You haven't indicated your current tyre size.

[chrisj]

Sorry again, they are 205/40R17

[Klink10]

My bad on the profile thought as I didn't think about what happens on top also occurs at the bottom. Ding.

What 330H said, offset is an important number to know I found out.

[kimona]

Sorry again, they are 205/40R17

On stock suspension, 205/40's look ridiculously short. Toyota OEM 17's are 205/45's.

Many people install 205/40's when upgrading because they are dirt cheap compared to 205/45's... and they fit quite well with a significant drop. But, with a mild to moderate drop, I think 205/40's are still too short.

In Japan, Vitz enthusiasts sometimes install 205/50/17's on stock suspension... and although they are a bit tall, they look good and apparently work well unloaded.

[sleey0]

205/40's work well on 17's with any drop, from 1.1" to 2.0".

[chrisj]

Thanks for the responses.

So, if I go with 205/50/17's then I won't need to lower? And if I do go that 1.75" lower the 205/40/17's I have now will look okay?

[33OH]

You'll still have wheel gap. Only way to get rid of it is to go lower.

Here are 205/50/17's on a stock Yaris sedan.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y234/cosworth_396/IMG_3054.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y234/cosworth_396/IMG_3053.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y234/cosworth_396/IMG_3055.jpg

[chrisj]

Thanks for the pics. I see with the 50's there is more sidewall, right? Okay.

[DeathBeard]

Thanks for the pics. I see with the 50's there is more sidewall, right? Okay.

lol, double confirmation

[MUSKOKA800]

Lowering is your best resolution.
Taller than stock tires may fill the gap however IMO the negatives are considerable.
More overall wheel weight brings slower accelleration, decreased brake effect and a raised are never handles as well.

On the good side those tall speed bumps will be less of an issue.

[sleey0]

Yeah, dude.

Just save some loot and lower your car once you have the funds.

It will look AND drive much better:)

[chrisj]

Thanks for all the responses. I am still somewhat concerned about loads (people) in the back seat if the car is lowered, plus I've read that you have more problems with the car down the road if it's lowered?

[33OH]

Just go for a mild drop and your load concerns will be fine.

And yes, as with anything you change on your car for performance, it will cause premature wear on your car down the road. So did putting 17" rims on your car (less tire=less absorption over bumps through the sidewall=body of the car will take the impact).

It is not anything that I have noticed - I have had a 2" drop now for 70,000 miles on stock struts/shocks and all is still perfect.

[MUSKOKA800]

My sedan is lowered 1.5" (complete TRD Sportivo set-up).
Myself with three passengers and a weeks worth of luggage (trunk filled).
The tail sits low but never a bottom-out or scrap covering 1300 miles on mixed road types of varying quality, all paved.

[chrisj]

I have decided that I don't want to worry about every speed bump I encounter (and I encounter many in my area) and other road hazards, so I am just going to wait until time to get new tires and get some 50's, replacing the 40's I have on the car now. That will remove some of that space above the tire that I hate.

I like the idea of the lowering springs, and I have them bookmarked if I wanna buy them, but I'm afraid of having to be way more careful, not to mention putting a load in the car.

The MicroImage lowering springs lower the car 2 inches I think?

[33OH]

1.75" for Micro Image springs.