Widened Wheel Survey

[Windsor58]

All,
I'm researching new tires and would like some help. And I know you guys (and ladies, too, of course) have opinions and like to share them...

If you are running widened wheels, can you post the make, model and size tires you are running (front and back) and your opinion of their wet, dry and light snow (if applicable) performance? Also interested in if they are noisy or quiet (or get noisy after a while). Observations on wear would be useful as well. If you are running non-stock pressures, please note that as well. Any other observations that you think someone would be interested in knowing before spending the money, please add as well.

Thanks.

[PantherP71]

Add some pictures to

[Peace2Peep]

Running the following:

255 45 18 Nitto NT555 Front

295 45 18 Nitto NT555 Rears ( Widened Rear Wheels )

I'd say the traction is great...these do start out quiet and a little soft, but as you do some burnouts and a couple of drag passes they settle in. They lose grip very gradually and with moments to correct at the limit.

I feel like these sizes look the best on the 300A Marauder. Some seem to look like exaggerated staggered looks...this one looks very agreeable and almost stock...but with attitude!

They do seem to get louder late in the game but its just the wear bars coming through. They last quite a while and have excellent wet traction in my estimation. I am on my second set as the first set came with the car at 7K miles...now I'm at 40K and loving them.

[lincolnpimp]

OEM Fronts

295 45 18 Nitto NT555 Rears
on widened rims

I had to remove the upper shock covers, and bend the upper shock mounts in some to clear the sidewall.

The Nittos are great, however I would never have done anything with the wheels without the Detroit TruTrac and 31 spline axles.... The OEM set up would not stand a chance against this traction.

[Marauderman]

Running the following:

255 45 18 Nitto NT555 Front

295 45 18 Nitto NT555 Rears ( Widened Rear Wheels )

I'd say the traction is great...these do start out quiet and a little soft, but as you do some burnouts and a couple of drag passes they settle in. They lose grip very gradually and with moments to correct at the limit.

I feel like these sizes look the best on the 300A Marauder. Some seem to look like exaggerated staggered looks...this one looks very agreeable and almost stock...but with attitude!

They do seem to get louder late in the game but its just the wear bars coming through. They last quite a while and have excellent wet traction in my estimation. I am on my second set as the first set came with the car at 7K miles...now I'm at 40K and loving them.

+1 ^^^^ I too have the same and agree.....

[FordNut]

Same here.

[Embassy]

Running the following:

255 45 18 Nitto NT555 Front

295 45 18 Nitto NT555 Rears ( Widened Rear Wheels )

Ditto.

Either the lowered stance of the Nittos give my Marauder a slightly harsher ride.








Click the Marauder link in my sig for pics of how the widened wheels improve the Marauder's appearance.

[Zack]

Unless you are after the look, IMHO widened wheels are a complete waste of money.

Even with a blower and drag radials, you are still gonna lose traction on the street, and your burnouts are limited cause the damn tires cost so much.

Just my .02

[Joe Walsh]

I like and run the P255 front/P295 rear Nitto 555s as well.
It does give the Marauder the 'full fenderwell' look that it needs.

I have a set of P305 Nitto 555R DRs, but I need to get another set of widened rims to run them.

[FordNut]

I have a set of P305 Nitto 555R DRs, but I need to get another set of widened rims to run them.

That's what I did. They won't fit in the trunk, at least with the organizer. So I can carry them to the track strapped to one of those cargo racks that plugs into the trailer hitch.

[magindat]

While this is completely irrelevant to your research, Chip,

I'm running a 20x10 65mm offset rim which was originally 20x8 40mm offset with BFG KDWNT 295/45/20.

They suck. Don't stick. Don't work with ABS. Might just kill you in the rain. But look BAD AS HELL!!!

Next tire change will be 315/35/20 Nitto Invos.

[Windsor58]

Thanks for the info everyone.

...

Next tire change will be 315/35/20 Nitto Invos.

Rich - how ya gonna get those 315s to fit? You got a big sledgehammer??

[RoyLPita]

BTW, I am one of those few members here who have 295/45-18 tires on non-widened 18" MM wheels.

[dpotter]

You just had to go there didn't you Brian! I have widened rear stockers on GY Eagle F1 295/45's, BFG KDWS 235/50's up front. Great traction wet or dry, boosted.

Agreed with Zack but hey, the looks alone are worth the $$ IMHO:



Zack, thanks again for that stunning badgeless grill

[Windsor58]

dpotter - that's a fine looking blue. And I say that as a proud black owner. Have you had any problems with the F1s leaking in the tread area? I read a few posts last night about them leaking in the tread area. I need to go check my Cobra. It's been stored in the garage for several months, now, and I haven't checked the pressures on it lately.