is 255 75R15 a bad idea with suspension travel?

[marquis_82_withneons]

im running 235 70r15 on the 82 Merc

the 77 LTD has 235 75r15 on factory steelies

dads running 265 60r15 with Outlaw II's on the 84 CV Wag..

so were thinking these for the Lincoln on 91 turbine rims

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/bfg-94081

thoughts?

[pantera77]

A 255/75 would be really tall. Would look silly IMHO

[sly]

that size on the rear of the Mark would actually make the speedo accurate.

[88Vic]

You should run 245/60 in front and 275/60 in back. That'll give it a muscular staggered look, the 255's will be taller than stock but not by too much like a 75 series would be.

[marquis_82_withneons]

You should run 245/60 in front and 275/60 in back. That'll give it a muscular staggered look, the 255's will be taller than stock but not by too much like a 75 series would be.

the reasoning behind the 75 series is that im running 70s and they are just below the wheel well which im not crazy about and wiht the 75s combined with the Lincoln softer suspension it should tuck under there nicely just a bit.

we will consider the wider ones in back though.. i like that idea only thing is were using the factory rims

[t65neon5]

the reasoning behind the 75 series is that im running 70s and they are just below the wheel well which im not crazy about and wiht the 75s combined with the Lincoln softer suspension it should tuck under there nicely just a bit.

we will consider the wider ones in back though.. i like that idea only thing is were using the factory rims

...the problem with the 75 section tires is that upon compression of the suspension you may experience excessive tire rub,especially while turning,possibly cutting into the tread or the sidewall (don't ask me how I know this....lol)

[marquis_82_withneons]

that is my biggest fear. but at the same time. my LTD has no issue at all and has 75 series neither does my merc and those rims are out a bit further than stock even though theyre 70s

[88Vic]

With those tires they're taller than stock and will essentially raise the axle ratio making for a slower, worse mileage car. On factory wheels which are 6 or 6.5" wide run 235/60's front and 245/60 rear which are both shorter than stock and then just lower it to remove the fender gap. That'll make it a bit quicker and lowering it will improve handling.

[packman]

The fender gap may depend on the state of your springs and shocks. I had stock 14" wheels on my Malibu before switching to the P185 60R15 (IIRC) and P275 75R15's out back. Rubbed like a mofo when turning and pulling into driveways. Sorta fixed that with fresh shocks and helper springs; perma-fixed it (with an inch to spare in the fender) with lift bars and wagon springs. That produced a monster rake for that car (total rice as that car was slow as hell) and I lost the ability to take the hairpin turns at 25mph (gained the ability to drift those turns in the rain). It all depends on your goals for the car.


Packman

[marquis_82_withneons]

goals = fill the wheelwell with white lettered 15s on factory turbines without lowering.. wide would be a bonus but not priority.

[packman]

Then you may want to lower the car and see how it looks. Perhaps the Speedway spring swap may be what you want. When I swapped out the rear diff with a '90 unit from a MGM, I put 15"H springs and fairly stiff Bilsteins out back. THat combo ended up picking the rear up a little. I got 14" springs waiting in the basement. I hope the 1" difference will get rid of the rake and help fill the wheelwell. An unexpected bonus is that the '90 rear axle is wider than the '86 by an inch on both sides. That helped the rear wheelwell look more filled out.


Packman

[marquis_82_withneons]

we do need rear springs, but we dont wanna lower it unless we do all 4 which is going to suck.. it may be simple. but we have to do it by hand. no air tools