Want to test a new wheel: How stupid is it to run three matching and one mis-matching?

[MikekiM]

Downsizing wheels from 15x10 to 15x8.5. Keeping the current Falken Wildpeaks for now.
Not sure I am going to like the look of the narrower wheel relative to the flat flares so was contemplating swapping over just my spare, mounting that and living with it for a few days.

How stupid is this idea?

Switching from ProComp 1069s in 15x10 to Mickey Thompson Classics II's in 15x8.5 with the same BS.
I have the polished aluminum rings too.. going to use those, not the black rings... I think.

​

 

[C.J. Roberts]

It won't hurt anything. The tire will be a little larger in diameter than the others, but it wouldn't be any worse than running a different size spare.

 

[MikekiM]

It won't hurt anything. The tire will be a little larger in diameter than the others, but it wouldn't be any worse than running a different size spare.

That's what I assumed. Figure best to mount the 8.5 on the rear?

 

[C.J. Roberts]

That's what I assumed. Figure best to mount the 8.5 on the rear?

I would.

 

[AndyG]

I think you good for about 72 hours -anything beyond that would like you to check back in.

 

[MikekiM]

I think you good for about 72 hours -anything beyond that would like you to check back in.

Kinda like taking out a library book.
hmmm... is that still a thing?

 

[Rickyd]

What kind of test would only one achieve?

I'd want at least two on one side to look at. Knowing me I would just eat the mount/dismount costs on all of them and give it a go

 

[MikekiM]

What kind of test would only one achieve?

I'd want at least two on one side to look at. Knowing me I would just eat the mount/dismount costs on all of them and give it a go

Truth?
Going down in width 2” with slightly less BS. I am concerned they might be tucked under the flares. Need to get ahead of what’s to come…. Swap flares? Back to stock? Flat Fenders?
Exclusively aesththetics.

 

[Rickyd]

Truth?
Going down in width 2” with slightly less BS. I am concerned they might be tucked under the flares. Need to get ahead of what’s to come…. Swap flares? Back to stock? Flat Fenders?
Exclusively aesththetics.

I'm going down to 15x8 from 15x10 with 33s soon as well. I'm looking forward to better steering characteristics but I do worry the tire sidewalls will squirm more around corners and the narrower track width will affect just how solid it feels going fast on twisty 2 lane roads

 

[MikekiM]

I'm going down to 15x8 from 15x10 with 33s soon as well. I'm looking forward to better steering characteristics but I do worry the tire sidewalls will squirm more around corners and the narrower track width will affect just how solid it feels going fast on twisty 2 lane roads

Pondered the handling characteristics this morning on a particularly fast winding section of highway. Going to have experiment with tire pressure.

Still not sure whether I’ll change tires too. One step at a time. The Falken Wildpeaks AT3Ws are a great AT tire. Very quiet, even with over 40k miles of daily driving on them. Still have a ton of tread left.

Also curious whether I’ll need to shim the steering stops with less backspace.

I’m not paying for the mount and balance but I think it still makes sense to mount just the spare and play with the one wheel front and back for a day or two.

So…. Not entirely aesthetic after all.

 

[Strizzo]

put the axles on stands, and mount the new wheels up to see where the outer face of the rim lands. If it isn't within a few inches of the edge of the flare, you might need a small spacer and longer studs.

You said you're going to a 1.5" narrower wheel with the same backspacing, so it should pull the outer lip of the rim in by 1.5" since backspacing is the distance from the mounting flange to the inside lip of the wheel. I didn't see what size tire you're running but based on the pic I'm guessing 33s.

This site has a great comparison calculator that will let you compare two different wheels to see how they will fit your car. I put in 33s and your wheel settings, they should come through in the link. I used 5" BS but it doesn't matter if both wheels are the same BS.

 

[MikekiM]

put the axles on stands, and mount the new wheels up to see where the outer face of the rim lands. If it isn't within a few inches of the edge of the flare, you might need a small spacer and longer studs.

You said you're going to a 1.5" narrower wheel with the same backspacing, so it should pull the outer lip of the rim in by 1.5" since backspacing is the distance from the mounting flange to the inside lip of the wheel. I didn't see what size tire you're running but based on the pic I'm guessing 33s.

This site has a great comparison calculator that will let you compare two different wheels to see how they will fit your car. I put in 33s and your wheel settings, they should come through in the link. I used 5" BS but it doesn't matter if both wheels are the same BS.

Yes, 33x12.5.

I'll check the site you linked to. Thanks.