[bcroach78]

Can a stock 05 outback run 225/70R16 without rubbing (I don't believe so but I will ask just to be sure)?

How about after installing King springs and getting 1-2" of lift?

I have a 2005 outback 2.5XT and will be replacing 17" alloys with 16" steel rims and I am trying to get some input on tire sizes.

Thanks in advance. Also, I tried searching for the question on 3rd Gen outbacks but couldn't find anything.

 

[Wagondude]

Even if you lift it with Kings, the bottom spring perch on the front struts will remain the same distance from the center of the hub. I believe you need to figure the size (radius) difference in the tires to determine if you will have enough clearance for the spring perch and also the front and back edges of the wheel openings for turns. They will most likely rub the fender liners at the rear of the front wheelwells during full lock turns (if they don't hit the fender lip first or the spring perches).

 

[beachedwhale42]

I am with Wagondude on this. I'm pretty sure that they won't fit, mostly because they'll rub on the wheel wells. Typically, 225/60 R16 is the tire size used on 16s that is closest to 225/55 R17. I think some people may have put 225/65 R16s on.....you'd have to search (I might be confusing it for 225/60 R17s though). But keeping as close to stock diameter as possible is 225/60 R16.

 

[mike552]

:2cents:

225/55r17 Overall Diameter: 26.74 in 679.19 mm (stock diameter)
225/60r17 Overall Diameter: 27.62 in 701.54 mm (a tight fit)
225/60r16 Overall Diameter: 26.62 in 676.14 mm (stock diameter)
225/65r16 Overall Diameter: 27.51 in 698.75 mm (a tight fit)
225/70r16 Overall Diameter: 28.40 in 721.36 mm (will definitely rub, even with a lift.)

 

[twagoon]

What kind of tires are you wanting to run? If you're looking at running some A/T's why not look at 215/65/16's, they are right at 27" so just at 1/2" over stock. I've heard a ton of good things about the General Grabbers, I may run those on whatever I end up with. They aren't much heavier than stock tires either, only by about 2lbs each.