I ordered from 18racing a set of Rota 17x 7.5 +20 today for $650 shipped. I got the black with the chrome edge. I plan on running a 235/40/17. I figure it should work because the member Toysport has an 82 L and he is running 235/45/18 on 18x8.

I won't be able to order tires for about a month though but still excited about the rims.

Sweet! Can't wait to see these on a MK2. Color combo sounds good. I'm also intereted to see this tire size on the car. I've been looking at 235/40s for my front 17x8 ROH wheels, mostly because I want to stay with the Azenis 615s and I don't want to go back to 245/45s. Anyway back to you... :) Just from experience with the rear ROHs that are 17x9 with a 17mm offset, you may end up wanting to run an adapter/spacer in the rear. 25-35mm would probably end up being close to perfect without having to mod the fender lip at all.

Rota 17x 7.5 +20 ...I plan on running a 235/40/17. I figure it should work because the member Toysport has an 82 L and he is running 235/45/18 on 18x8.


You didn't specify front or rears...

Toysport has done stuff to make the 18's fit - like put on larger flares in the back.

For the fronts, both Junkie and I have 17 x 7 +25 in the front of the L type, but my front is lowered an inch and rubs a 215/45/17 on hard turns with dobinson springs / koni yellows and no upgraded sway. Junkie runs a 225 with no problems.

So collect your datapoints and keep in mind stiff suspensions figure into what tire size will fit in the front is the point.

Ken

I messaged Toysport and he indicated that the 18x8 +25 on the front running the 235/40/18

Larry, a 235 may be a bit close on the outer lip with that wheel in the front.

I'm running Eibachs, AGX's, JK RCA's, and Addco's, and my 225's don't rub, even with "very" spririted driving ;) But, yeah, Ken's setup with the 215's on 7" wheels rubs.

I ordered standard height Dobinson Springs from Raptor Racing and I am also buying new KYB gr2 struts and shocks with new strut mounts.

I stand corrected Toyparts is running the 235/40/18 not 45 series. I am hoping that with the new springs and struts and not lowering the car that I will be okay.

According to my calculations and I am hoping this will make an additional difference Ken on your 215/45/17 your overall height is 24.6 inches and with the 235/40/17 the overall height is 24.4 so almost a quarter inch. If this is not going to work I will probably just go with the 225 but I would like to use the 235 if possible. I appreciate your input and insight.

Nice, about time someone finally purchased the D2s here. Just kinda curious why you didnt get the 8.5s for the rear? They woulda filled up the fender well gap nicely with just a 5-10mm spacer.

Larry, I'm quite aware of what the diameters are - was a rocket scientist in a past life LOL. Diameters are pretty useful for a car standing still, but what happens when you are in a turn, actually moving?

What you are missing is the 'third dimension'.
Let me try to explain.
I've run stock 225/60/14 P type rims (14 x 7 +8) on the front of my L type.
They rubbed about 1/2" in (score marks on the tread).
They rubbed on the 10 o'clock and 2 o'clock metal flanges for the wheel liner bolt holes.

First, visualize that the sidewall of the 225/60/14 tire bulges outward.
The spot on the tread where it rubbed 1/2" in is just about on the outside edge of the rim because the 225/60/14 bulges out 1/2" on both sides.
The tire rubbing in this case was because of weak stock springs, allowing the metal fender to touch the tire tread.

I've got a reference (point) now (score marks on a 225/60/14 tire) of where the tire contacts the car.
I mounted a set of 215/45/17s (on 17 x 7 +25) I had around in the front of the L type now with a lowered but much stiffer suspension. It doesn't rub now with normal driving, but taking a 'flat' 25 mph turn at 45 mph will compress that outer front fender down enough to rub. The tire doesn't squeal, the car feels 'in the groove', but a slight rubbing sound is heard.

Yes I chose 24.6" (stock diameter) but the suspension has a lot more to do with the rubbing issues than the diameter, if you are within a quarter inch of stock.

I'll give you another data point. 215/45/17s mounted on 7.5" (8.5" measured) wide rims has No sidewall bulge. So 235s mounted on 17s will bulge past the edge of the rim 1/2".

Ok, I'll offer some advice on the rears too.
235/40/17s are a good tire back there, but you'll want a 15mm spacer on the 17 x 7.5 +20s. Really, this is just for 'looks' as the rears will look just like stock 14" P types with 225/60/14s look on the rear of a P type without the spacer.

Ken

Okay I am tracking with you now. Here is my question with the new dobinson springs and the kyb gr2 and not lowering the car do you or junkie think that I would be okay to run 225/45/17?

Was notified that my wheels will be in today sometime. I think I want to go with the nito 555 235/40 on the rear and 225/40 on the front. When I called about tires that rep asked me what the width rim I had and he advised me that I would need a 8" rim in order to run the 235's. I did not think this would be a issue. Can anyone help with this question?

I'm no tire expert, but from what I know putting a wider tire can actually reduce performance since the tire's side wall is bulging out. The side walls were designed to a specific profile.

Tell him to F**K off an order your 235s or even 245s just to piss him off.

Toyota put 225s on the 7.5" wheels on the Mark III...

Given that info I guess I will go with the 225's last thing I need is to get tires and have to send them back.

The handling difference will be so great that you won't even care. I was surprised how much body roll was reduced just by upping the wheel size by 1 inch.

Ken and Junkie I took rim minus the tire to see how it would look and I now see what you are talking about. With the rims being 7.5 wide with +20 the edge of the rim is right underneath the edge of my fender. Sorry to be so dense but sometimes I just have to see it for my self to understand.

Updates, did you get them?

Won't have money for tires for about a month. Will update when I get them.

:ttiwwp:

I would recommend going with the same size tires front and rear. The extended tire life from being able to rotate is a great benefit. I like staggered setups, but wouldn't recommend them unless you don't mind buying tires much more frequently.

Also, its better to stay within the recommended rim width of the tire you plan on running. Different tires brands and models have different rim width requirements, although the tire will fit on a non recommended rim width, its not advised, and would probable handle worse than a narrower tire that fits right.

Just my 2 cents.

Do you have pictures of these wheels mounted yet? I am REALLY interested.

Got an update?

Sorry dude with a wife and child I am still trying to save money to buy tires, plus the old ones on my current rims are not gone yet. Will try to get pics just as soon as I get them on.