I posted this query in the 3gs forum, and got a good response, though not as indepth as i was hoping in regards to fender mod. I figure this subforum may be the best venue

I currently have a 3gs AWD. I am looking to pick up a set of wheels with the following offsets:
(f) 20x9.5 +25. I would like to run a 245/35/20
(r) 20x10.5 +20. I would like to run a 275/30/20
These tire sizes were close to spec on my 8.5 and 10" 20's; I do not know how the added stretch will effect the rolling diameter.

The main question is what kind of rear fender work will be needed to make these wheels work. Shaving is not a problem. Pulling could be, as i intend to do the majority of the necessary work myself and have never modded a car other than my current GS. I am on BC coils with a fingerwidth gap or less, and i would like to keep that stance if at all possible. Thanks in advance!

 

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/5411123-post2.html

If you run a 265, you will still have to do a little more pull, but you may deform the fender where it meets the bumper mount.

 

Thanks MrMark - yours was the reply i received from the other posting (that you linked). I replied to that post - My GS is a Daily Driver. With the size you have reccomended - 285/25/20, this will be comparable to 275/30 in terms of cushion (I am assuming so given that both sizes fall within manufacturer spec)?

With your reccomendations, to what extent will be the necessary fender mod? Also, you first reccomended your current setup as the way to go (285/25) but then stated 265 will require more pull with possible damage. Which setup (285 or 265) would be ideal? Is the necessary fender mod something that a shop would be more suited to do, rather than myself? Or, given that this is a daily driver and the mods and stretch needed to allow fitment, should i pass on these wheel? I understand I have a lot of questions, but offsets and fender mods are things i am not too familiar with, and i do not want to purchase a set of wheels i cannot use. Thanks again for all of your help.

 

You can't worry about if it's a daily driver or not....you have to match as close as possible, your factory tire diameter.




275-30-20 2.5% bigger
265-30-20 1.6% bigger
285-25-20 1.0% smaller


It's a matter of how much work you want to put into "making them fit". If you're set on the wheels that come in the sizes you stated, the 275 is too far off for AWD.


265-30-20 probably a little more pull than what you have now
285-25-20 may not fit even with more pull


It also depends on the tire since different tires have different shoulder block even though they are the same width. 265-30-20 is not a popular size, so your selection will be less.

 

Thank you

275-30-20 2.5% bigger - This bothers me, because i purchased a set of aftermarket 20's last year with this tire size (f-245/35; r-275/30) and was told they were within specs to the point that i should not be concerned with damage. This was incorrect?

I am pretty set on the wheels, and it sounds like i can make them fit with 'minor' mods. I gues the propper question would be; with the suggested tire size of 265/30 for the rear and 245/35 for the front, will the diameter be close to spec on both front and rear(as they need to be the same rolling diameter due to AWD). As to pulling, i have never done this. Is this something i can do, or would you reccomend a shop doing, given the ammount of pull necessary to fit the reccomended tire sizes?

Thanks again for the help; I am a bit ignorant when it comes to all this.



QUOTE=MrMark;5415469]You can't worry about if it's a daily driver or not....you have to match as close as possible, your factory tire diameter.






275-30-20 2.5% bigger
265-30-20 1.6% bigger
285-25-20 1.0% smaller




It's a matter of how much work you want to put into "making them fit". If you're set on the wheels that come in the sizes you stated, the 275 is too far off for AWD.


265-30-20 probably a little more pull than what you have now
285-25-20 may not fit even with more pull


It also depends on the tire since different tires have different shoulder block even though they are the same width. 265-30-20 is not a popular size, so your selection will be less.[/QUOTE]

 

3% is the standard margin of error, so no, that wasn't incorrect.

 

With AWD, I would narrow the margin of difference to avoid potential problems. 3% on a RWD car should not be a problem, but I feel it's a little high for AWD....just my $.02.

 

id change out those front tires also. people have rubbing issues on a 3GS with a 245/35/20 with it being lowered. your talking about adding a more aggresive offset too.

 

You should run 245-30-20 up front. 35 series is too tall.

 

i currently have 245/35 up front, and they rub very little even with my drop. i have no issues with rolling the front fenders to help with clearance though.

With AWD, I would narrow the margin of difference to avoid potential problems. 3% on a RWD car should not be a problem, but I feel it's a little high for AWD....just my $.02.

Thanks for the clarification. I will most likely go with the wheels, and modify the fender as needed. Is the amount of stretch (265/30 on a 10.5 wheel) going to require a more cautious driving style? I am looking at Continental Extremecontact DWS tires, which rate slightly better that the General Exclaim UHP's i am running now. Thanks all.

 

Very interestng read on the rubbing, but I am in a similar boat. I also have a 3rd gen RWD running 245/30 and 295/25 lowering this weekend on Tanabe CO's, I have not heard anyone mention camber settings. Assuming you do not mind replacing tires every 6 months, should this allow for the clearence nessesary to have a VIP look without taking a cutting wheel to the car?