225/70R16 on an SH Forester Test Fitting

[machine1]

Test fitting is always fun stuff isn't it?

Seeing how well the 225/70R16 fits on my SH9 XT. Got my spare already, the rest of the tires come in sometime this week.

16" 02 WRX wheel +55 offset with 225/70R16 Cooper Discoverer AT3's at 28.6" diameter.

I'm going from the factory 17" wheel with a Cooper 235/60R17.

My full-size spare:

Front strut clearance:

Rear clearance:

Installed in front:

Installed in rear:

Factory +48mm offset:

WRX +55mm offset:

Rear diff clearance with subframe drop, worn 17" tire on the left, new 16" tire on the right:

 

[Kevin]

Looks a bit too close to the front spring perch! You will definitely get contact with tire flex. Also a + 55 offset will bring the wheel closer to the perch than a + 48?

 

[Ratbag]

Tend to agree with Kevin, M1. Maybe you are getting too close to both the spring perch, and the rear guard liner.

 

[Robbks]

reducing your track width with a lifted vehicle is also not ideal.

I'd be looking for some outback or Forester rims with +48 offset,
or even some STi or Rally rims in +42

 

[kiwifoz]

I agree, when I went to +53 STi wheels from +48 Forester wheels with the same tyres swapped over the car definitely felt less stable at 100kph and actually handled better with the AT tyres on the +48s compared to road tyres on the +53s.... And you also won't be able to fit tyre chains if that's an issue.

 

[machine1]

Looks like I'll be looking for some +48 16" wheels, hehe.

 

[machine1]

When the 235/60R17s were new I had about the same amount of strut clearance. I've since put nearly 50k miles on them and wanted more sidewall. They are perhaps a tad bit closer.

We don't get much winter weather here in Texas, and when we do the entire city shuts down, I've never had the need for chains.

You guys will probably not like the fact that I run no sway bars. Been driving like this for years. But yes, I do need to address the clearance issue before going any further.

 

[stilson]

No sways is OK, I sometimes leave mine disconnected as I have stiffer springs.

You could use spacers to regain your track.

 

[machine1]

I went to test out the set, no rubbing at all, strut clearance is sufficient. I do not need wheel spacers or new wheels.

"]Bridgeport OHV Subaru Off Road Northwest OHV Park 7-25-15 - YouTube

"]Northwest OHV Park Bridgeport Subaru driving through the Spiderwebs - YouTube

 

[matdaymon]

Not gonna lie, that looks fricken badass!