I have a '91 legacy and want to put some larger tires on it if possible... what is the largest tire that I can put under it with out rubbing? I have stock 14" alloys.

Hi. Take a look at the clearance between your strut lower spring seats and the top of the tires. Often this is a limiting factor. For wider tires, often wider tires will fit but may give rubbing in the turns in the front.

I have a '91 legacy and want to put some larger tires on it if possible... what is the largest tire that I can put under it with out rubbing? I have stock 14" alloys.

 

Make note of your stock wheel offset and make sure that you find rims that will suffice, i.e. not below 50-mm, most-likely.

Check or prove wheel offset before you commit.

i think went from 185/70/14 to 205/45/17.... i havent had any problems yet.....well the only problem i had was since my car was lowered i was doing a little rubbing on the drivers front fender....but fixed that problem.....

I have 205/60's on my 94 wagon

 

As Porcupine points out the problem is

between the rear strut spring plate

and the tire.

 

I am running Forester rims.

 

I had some old rotors around, so I cranked up

my mid size lathe and made spacers buy

cutting the "hat" off.

I guess I should have been more clear... By larger I mean taller. I have wacked a few rocks on logging roads and am trying to get some more ground clearance-- and no I dont want to lift it (although that would be really cool!)

the distance between the hub center and the

mentioned spring plate is the limiting factor.

 

Taller narrower tires could hit it with the sidewall

which is worse than with the tread.

 

Have you seen this for seeing what tires are what

height?

http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

Nice lathe and spacers skip!

 

Here's a pic of the oft limiting factor - top/side of tire to bottom of strut spring seat.

 

Another possible issue (moreso with wider tires) is rubbing in the front in turns. This is '96 legacy 2.2L with outback struts and p225/60r16 tires. They rub in the turns. The tires show no odd wear, but look at this spot it wore into the wheel well (the candle flame looking spot above the orange jackstand)

 

Another limiting factor is wheel well clearance. On this '96 Legacy with the p225/60r16, there is simply not enough wheel well clearance to go any taller (rear tire to edge of wheel well by bottom of rear door)

well done, Si Loin, as usual!! (thanks for the lathe ect comps)

 

I used the above linked calculator

 

sizing

seieing how Porc has about maxed out the height

and

assuming you stay with 70 series tires

on your rims

 

You could run 245/70 R14's

(if you can find them)

and gain about

2" ground clearence.

 

 

Does that help?

How much height is gained from using outback struts? I was really hoping to not change anything except the tires!

How much height is gained from using outback struts? I was really hoping to not change anything except the tires!

 

Hope this helps:

 

http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showthread.php?t=84990

 

Take a look at his conversion pics. Your's would be similar. My redneck-internet measuring device thinks that those struts raised the car 2-3 inches. Check to see if outback struts/springs would work for your 91. Other option maybe forestor struts. I am not certain which ones will interchange with your 1991 legacy

Also see http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showthread.php?t=62563&page=2

Another limiting factor is wheel well clearance. On this '96 Legacy with the p225/60r16, there is simply not enough wheel well clearance to go any taller (rear tire to edge of wheel well by bottom of rear door)

 

Trimming;)