Hey all,

new guy here, but i have very specific question and i was hoping someone here might have an answer. I have a 2004 outback llbean, with the H6 3.0, great little car, does any one know if it is possible to run a 15 inch aftermarket rim on this car? the reason i ask is that i would like to run a set of dedicated winter tires on it this winter and i have a set of blizzaks that go on a 15 inch rim ( dont know the size off the top of my head, would have to run out to the barn and look) but they came off of an 01 celica. Was wondering if an early generation outback or any older subaru rim would be the style to buy so i can run these tires this winter?

thanks

matt

No, 15 inch wheels will not clear the brake calipers. You can use any 16 inch wheels from an Outback, GT, WRX or you could look for some steel wheels of they are for "go" and not "show".

 

Oh yeah, WELCOME TO THE BOARD!!!!

Edited August 5, 201015 yr by Suzam

Welcome! I am also new, I had the exact question, but had other issues to clear up first. So- we are stuck with the expensive 16's? (I have a 01 LLBean) Where is the best place to find 16" wheels that are not these aluminum things? I HATE cleaning aluminum!

You have options if you want to use a 15" wheel on the newer ones.

example: Primitive racing makes a rally wheel found here

http://www.writerguy.com/primitive/brakes.htm

 

those wheels will clear they are designed to clear what normally only a 16" would clear.

 

 

second example, you could retrofit different rotors/calipers onto your car.

 

third example, not recommended, but you could grind away the ears on the caliper until it clears the 15" wheel.

 

15" snows are cheap and plentiful. 16" and larger snow tires are quite pricey in comparison.

Edited August 6, 201015 yr by bheinen74

thanks all, appreciate the quick responses, and the link to primitive racing. The rims would just be for my winter tires so i might give them a call

thanks again

matt

There are 16" forester steelie wheels that are stamped silver and look decent.

 

Most of the Subaru alloys are very easy to clean.

 

You could downgrade the brakes to standard 00-04 brakes from a not 6 cyl outback as well. I would just run Hawk brake pads or something upgraded at least with this.

There are 16" forester steelie wheels that are stamped silver and look decent.

 

Most of the Subaru alloys are very easy to clean.

 

You could downgrade the brakes to standard 00-04 brakes from a not 6 cyl outback as well. I would just run Hawk brake pads or something upgraded at least with this.

 

Don't really want to downgrade brakes. Alloys that came with my car are (sorry to say) kinda ugly, and also scratched up.

Probably a stupid question from a newbie:slobber:- Are all Subaru 5 bolt patterns the same??

Not like GM w/ big and small 5 bolt pattern?

If I find Forester 16" Steelies w/ 5 bolts they'll fit?

I will probably also look into the "primitive" 15" wheels just to save $ on tires-winter or summer. Just wondering??? Thanks!

I'm usually not a big fan of after market wheels, but those look really nice. $189 is a pretty good price too.

Probably a stupid question from a newbie:slobber:- Are all Subaru 5 bolt patterns the same??

 

If I find Forester 16" Steelies w/ 5 bolts they'll fit?

I will probably also look into the "primitive" 15" wheels just to save $ on tires-winter or summer. Just wondering??? Thanks!

 

 

there are some odd duck wheels, the SVX or some sports car version of subarus, i think. but for the most part, yes, 5 lug subaru wheels from legacy, forester, outback and impreza are the same.

 

your limiting factor is going to be the brake caliper.

There are 16" forester steelie wheels that are stamped silver and look decent.

 

 

This is what I did with my Toyota Highlander with 16" wheeels. Use the 16" alloys for summer tires. and 16" steelies off a base model for dedicated snows. Works well for Northern New England set-up!