06 with 16" rims.. Bigger tires?

BlkSunshine77 · 03-19-2007, 01:36 AM

Hey guys,
I thoroughly searched all over and can't find the answers I'm looking for.
My 06 mustang convertible came with the tiny 215/65r16 tires.
I dont plan on lowering the car or swapping to larger rims, as I love the Knockoff style of these rims.
Probably have them powder-coated the charcoal grey like the 65 Shelby Cobras..

Anyway..
My question is..
What is the largest rear tire I can fit on the stock 16" rim without lowering the car at all.
I'm going for the mini-tubbed look.
Biggest tire I can fit inside the wheelwell without rubbing too badly or requiring larger rims.

Any info would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!

Jays Mustang · 03-19-2007, 08:53 PM

That's kinda tough. It's a 7" wide rim I believe. Normallya 8"is ok or an inch wider than the rim maybe 1.5". When you get wider than the rim you lose wear ability. In other words you'd have to run a lower pressure to have the tire not wear in the middle. I like my stock rims too. I'm eventually going to a 235-60-16 tire. A little wider, a little shorter on the sidewall. I suggest going to your local tire dealer and ask them.

BlkSunshine77 · 03-19-2007, 10:37 PM

Thanks for the reply. I was thinking that I could fit at least a 235, hopefully a 255.
As far as 7" wide rims and wider tires, I agree to an extent;
On my 2001 Xterra I have been running 35x12.5 goodyear MT/R tires on my 15x7 rims with no weird wearing issues.
Obviously I'm not carving corners or dragracing with it, but it definitely sees a ton of trail use, and was my daily driver until I got the mustang.
I'm sure a tire place, and some good measurements would be the best idea.
I take it that the only limiting factor on the width is the rim size. Which would explain why people running 10" wide rear rims can run 295s or wider.

Thanks!

Anyone ever get the 16" rims widened?
They offered that on my old Grand National, and it was pretty cheap. They were able to turn a 15x7 into a 15x8 or 15x10 without issue.
But those were steel rims, not aluminum or alloy.

feejay · 03-20-2007, 04:31 PM

If no one on here has told you yet, talk to Colin at the Tire Rack. If there's a 255 that will fit your rims, he would know about it. Hes a sponsor of the site and very helpful to boot.

BlkSunshine77 · 03-20-2007, 06:19 PM

Thanks alo, I'll drop them an email ora call.

Dineau · 03-20-2007, 11:37 PM

Let us know what he says, also interested.....

383 TPI · 03-21-2007, 06:34 AM

Ihave 265 60 16's on my stock v6 wheels, there are a few places that make a repo wheel in 16X8 , I am going to buy a pair and put some 185 60 16's on them

BlkSunshine77 · 03-21-2007, 01:27 PM

383TPI,
Thanks for the reply, I responded in the other thread as well. You could ignore that post since the information is here.
Any pix of your car?
How do the 265/60's look on the car?
Is your car lowered at all?
And does it fill out the wheel wells and maybe even tuck under the fender a little?
Thanks.

BlkSunshine77 · 03-29-2007, 02:48 AM

Any update?

EKB · 03-29-2007, 08:35 PM

I looked into doing the same. I decided to go all the way and get some 18x9.5's with 255/45/18's. Ended up the same hight as the stock 215/65/16's but looks a whole lot better.