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Ok.. I know there is this topic on the subaruoutback.org forum, but its HUGE and I was hoping to start a shorter discussion here.
Unfortunately the Touring models came with 18" wheels/rims leaving less room for sidewall and thus airing down. Wish I could have optioned for smaller diameter rims.
I heard that the smallest rim I may be able to go to are 17" due to the brakes / rotors / calipers etc... Is this true?
I am looking for recommendations on wheels and tires. I like the BFGoodrich KO2, but I have also been told these are heavy and there are other options.
My hope was to try and keep the new wheels and tires as close in weight etc. to minimize impact to mileage I hear that heavier wheels and tires can cause. I know I'll probably have to take some hit.
Anybody out there downsize their Outback Touring from 18" to 17" rims and tires?
Using a smaller rim can also present other issues like heat to the caliper due to the lack of airflow. Your right about the wheels being heavier. That rolling mass creates more drag and wear and tear on the axles which can lead to failure. It can also make the vehicle loose torque in the lower range due to the stock gearing. Now all that being said the subi is limited to the overall size of tire available to use due to the restriction on raising the height of the vehicle. Typically the lowest wheel size you can drop is a 17”. I have a family member who lives in Colorado and goes to the smaller rim size to use winter tires. He says the smallest that fits without spacers is the 17”.
Using a smaller rim can also present other issues like heat to the caliper due to the lack of airflow. Your right about the wheels being heavier. That rolling mass creates more drag and wear and tear on the axles which can lead to failure. It can also make the vehicle loose torque in the lower range due to the stock gearing. Now all that being said the subi is limited to the overall size of tire available to use due to the restriction on raising the height of the vehicle. Typically the lowest wheel size you can drop is a 17”. I have a family member who lives in Colorado and goes to the smaller rim size to use winter tires. He says the smallest that fits without spacers is the 17”.
Yup, I figured 17 was the smallest... Now I just need to find a good set of 17" rims with the right offset and a good tire so the two together don't rub...
Hey Rich! So Matt (Black Label Garage) is right. One thing about the 17" wheels is that if you can find a lighter wheel that is still sturdy enough for generalized off-road use, then you can save some unsprung wheel weight and your axles. Try Method Racing or even Tire Rack to get some ideas.
Matt Blair
245/65R17 should be your ideal tire size 🙂
Looks like I'm going to chicken out for now until I get around to a lift kit and the OK form the wife ;-).
For now I'm going to cut a bit of cost and go with the Falken A/T 225/60R18 that fit the factory rims. I also picked up a matching rim on ebay for a spare. Will be a tight fit, but I hear it will work, but I may need to take the air out of the spare. Planning for this and air downing, I already picked up the same items Scott listed on his vehicle page:
Smittybilt Portable Air Compressor
Also picked up the X-BULL Recovery Traction Boards
Next would be a lift, skid plates...
Of course.... I just locked my self into 65,000 miles on these tires... hmmm... yea I know, that they probably wont last the complete 65K, but still, a long time...
Thanks all for your Input/comments...
once you put that spare in the back I would like to see how tight it fits. I have wondered if I could fit my KO2 spare and 17-inch rim in there without the factory molded foam. Just have never taken the time to try fitting it.
once you put that spare in the back I would like to see how tight it fits. I have wondered if I could fit my KO2 spare and 17-inch rim in there without the factory molded foam. Just have never taken the time to try fitting it.
I just made the appointment for this coming up Monday for a new set of shoes for my Outback including a full size spare on a factor rim I obtained. Falken Wildpeak A/T 225/60R18's x 5... American's Tire, which is also know in other parts as Discount Tire, listed them as $172.00 ea.. I found them at Walmart for $156.00 and American's Tire matched the price using that link on their website... Not much of a savings and I probably should have searched more, but they are close and I have used them before.
I already know from other forums that the factory foam insert they place on top of the thing they call a spare will NOT work with a full size spare. I was also told I may need to store the spare without air for it to fit, so that's why I'll also have to carry now at all times the Smittybilt Portable Air Compressor. Man that's a serious compressor! Larger in person than it looked in the pictures.
What I did buy, in "hopes" that it will fit is the same foam insert (they call it a Spacer) used on the 2020 Outback Onyx that has a full size spare. It holds the tools.... Spacer - Subaru (97035AN00A).
I'll take pictures... I truly hope it fits in some manner...
No real surprise.... Factory rim with Falken Wildpeak AT 225/60R18.... DOES NOT FIT where the spare tire is suppose to go. Not even if its is full deflated. I was able to squeeze it in just a bit more deflated, but it is still to high to place just the lid for the back on top of the wheel.
So that leaves me looking at something like Scott's Wilco Offroad High Clearance Hitchgate Solo that takes you to an Amazon where it's currently not available... so the hunt is on....