1997 5.0 awd eddie bauer adding 17 inch rims

[97 v8 5.0 awd Rb_Layne]

I have a 1997 5.0 awd Eddie Bauer. Right now it's running the stock 235/75r15s on stock suspension. I recently bought a set of 17 inch zinic billet rims from a friend of mine and I'm not sure what size tire to put on them. I want them to be a little bigger than what's on there now but not have to worry about rubbing or suspension adjustments. Any advice?

 

[Turdle]

Without knowing the backspacing, and being carefull not to go to small ( small diameter will look wonky ) I chose 265 55r 17 which should allow sidewall clearance at the upper ball joint and not rub the sway bar at full lock steering.
I have fitted 275's before but the upper ball joint clearance needed to be changed just a bit with a grinder. 1/8" there is plenty.

again, this all depends on the back spacing and off set of the wheels you are mounting the tires to. It might be a good idea to fit the wheels and get a center line to measure from.

Convert tire width to inches by dividing the first number by 25.4 . this will give you the section width. so, a 265 tire will be just short of 10.5 inches wide at the sidewall hump.

 

[J_C]

Bigger width, diameter, or necessarily both? 265/55R17 is a slightly smaller diameter but wider. If you want larger diameter then I'd try a 265/65R17, though your actual speed will be ~ 6% higher than the speedo indicates, but you gain almost an inch of ground clearance and fill the wheel wells more. 255/60/17 would be very close to the same diameter as stock, just wider. Definitely compare the wheel offset first.