I have the 18" polished aluminum rims with the 235/50/18 BF Goodrich G-Force, I "think" the rims are 8.5" wide.
First the tire questions: 1) Can I fit 255/45/18 all the way around without rubbing? I am not interested in different size front/rear tires. I want to get more meat on the ground and also more protection for the rims. 2) Will this tire fit correctly on my rims?
Next the rim questions: 1) What product(s) can I use to clean/polish/protect my rims? I have heard that some rims come from the factory with a clearcoat finish to protect them but I have no idea if mine have it. 2) Should I use some kind of cleaner/stripper to get down to the base metal before I apply polish/wax? 3) Assuming the 255's will fit on my current rims, I would like to get a cheap set of 18" steel rims for the winter and put on my stock BF G-Force tires(which are plenty good for winters around here) but I don't see any steel 18" rims for my car on your site. Do you have any? Or cheap aluminum if not?
Finally, if you could list specific product names and "where to buy", I would certainly appreciate it.
Thanks a LOT in advance, Lance
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'07 GT Deluxe Black Clearcoat Dark Charcoal Cloth 5-Speed Auto 18" polished aluminum wheels w/235/50/ZR18's Shaker 500+Sirius Active Anti-Theft Stock for now
255/45-18 will fit on a rim range of 8" to 9.5". Those will fit fine on your car.
You should never use anything to clean your rims that you would not use on your car. Just about every painted wheel comes with a protective coating. I would suggest just cleaning them and then applying wax. Putting regular wax on your rims will work or you could use dedicated wheel wax .
We do offer any 18" steel wheels. The 18" wheels we currently do have start out with the 06 mustang GT ($171 each) or SVT bullitt ($175 each)
Thanks for the reply and help but your answers have me asking more questions:
I was pretty sure the 255/45 would fit the rim but what I am really concerned about is tire rub(mainly in the front). Can you tell me for sure that they won't rub? I don't have painted rims, they are polished aluminum, so do you think they have the clearcoat finish? They don't look like they have any coating which is why I asked about a cleaner/stripper to take it down to bare metal before I apply polish/wax. Are the wheels you listed the cheapest you have? Because if so, I think I will just run my stock ones year round. I guess I could buy one of your 17" winter wheel/tire packages but then I would just be wasting my 18" BF Goodrichs assuming I switch to the 255's(looking at your Kumhos'). Plus I think the steering stops are different from the factory when you get the 18s' so I don't know if I should put 17s' on.
Thanks Again, Lance
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'07 GT Deluxe Black Clearcoat Dark Charcoal Cloth 5-Speed Auto 18" polished aluminum wheels w/235/50/ZR18's Shaker 500+Sirius Active Anti-Theft Stock for now
< Message edited by LanceH -- 12/28/2006 8:08:44 PM >
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'07 GT Deluxe Black Clearcoat Dark Charcoal Cloth 5-Speed Auto 18" polished aluminum wheels w/235/50/ZR18's Shaker 500+Sirius Active Anti-Theft Stock for now
OK, thanks, I think I will just stick with my factory rims and keep them clean and waxed. After I use up the factory tires, I will upgrade to the 255/45/18s, I should save a lot of money that way.
Thanks Again, Lance
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'07 GT Deluxe Black Clearcoat Dark Charcoal Cloth 5-Speed Auto 18" polished aluminum wheels w/235/50/ZR18's Shaker 500+Sirius Active Anti-Theft Stock for now
Posts: 3481
Joined: 5/21/2005 From: S.burbs Chicago Status: offline
You will have no problem if you do decide to put 17" on for winter. Its what I do. + like Colin said, the 255's will work on all 4 corners, as thats what I run in the summer.
Thanks for the confirmation that the 255/45's don't rub, it's always nice to have a second opinion. As far as the 17's for winter, I think I am going to stick to the economy route and just replace the current tires(235/50's) with the 255's after I use them up. I should save lots of money that way to use for other mods. We don't get much winter around here for the most part, plus, if it gets even the least bit nasty, the Stang will stay parked and I will drive the Dakota.
Thanks, Lance
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'07 GT Deluxe Black Clearcoat Dark Charcoal Cloth 5-Speed Auto 18" polished aluminum wheels w/235/50/ZR18's Shaker 500+Sirius Active Anti-Theft Stock for now
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A few questions for the Tire Rack guy - 
