275/50R17 M&H Drag Radial On my 71

[Wookie316]

17" rims are hard to find decent rubber with decent sidewall and decent width. The 275/40R17's were too low profile for such a big car. After reading a ton of forums on 295/45R17's being too big for 9" rims, I decided to opt for the M&H 275/50R17 Drag Radial.
Really wanted to try and sqeeze the 295's on my 9"ers as I like the width, I thought I'd play it safe with the 275's instead.
They recommend 9.5" for a 295, Can't see that .5" making a huge difference, but better safe than sorry I guess? Really wish the Year One rims were 9.5" instead of 9"

Anyway, here is a photo. What do you think? Fills the wheel well way better. Once the wheel molding is on it should look great!

 

[rocky61201]

That looks real good. I had a friend with M&H drag radials. They hook and go!!

 

[SureGrip]

The '72 I bought has a set of those on it, but on 15X7" wheels. The car was a drag car in a previous life, and they really do give it a drag-car stance.

 

[Northwest]

I'm looking to get some street slicks / drag radials and have a 512 w/3.91s too. Have you taken it out? How does it hook?

 

[Wookie316]

No, have not been out. A foot of snow here, so won't get to test it till next year.

 

[Northwest]

Gonna be a loooong winter!

 

[Wookie316]

Yup. Not happy about it.

 

[Cevidicus]

What do you think about those Year One wheels? I've been thinking about getting a set.

 

[Wookie316]

Fit well and look great. 17x9 on all 4 corners. They nailed the BS with going with a 5". Do wish they were a 1/2" bigger so a guy could run a 295/45r17 on the back. I have since put a 275/50r17 M & H drag radial on the back since this photo. Fills the rear well up nice. 2" from the top of tire to the fender lip.

Running a 275/40r17 in the front. I have an RMS tubular front end in my car. The rim fits fine and I have full turning. Only issue is having to run a bolt on hub spacer. It doesn't clear in the center on my Willwood hubs. Going to do some more investigating on the weekend and see exactly where and why it is hitting? Will get more photos.

Very happy with the finish and for the price I think they can't be beat.

I agree with the 5 1/4" BS. I have 17x9 Magnums on my car with a 5" BS right now. I have a 275/50R 17 M&H Drag Radial mounted on them. Like most are finding, I have about a 1/4 - 3/8" more spring clearence on the P/S then the Drivers side. Here are a couple photos.
The tape is 7/8" thick. It is snug on the D/S so I am guessing it has about 13/16" space as it sits right now.

The P/S has a 7/8" tape width + about 1/4 - 3/8"

For awhile I was thinking about trying to fit a 305/45R18 into the well, but now that the 275/50R17 are on, I really like the stance. The 275/50R17 is a 27.8" tire which gives me 2" space to the top of the fender lip. A 305/45R18 is an inch taller. Not only will it be closer to the lip, I don't think it will fit inside? A 295/45R17 will probably just go with the perfect offset rim.

Would really love to fit a 295/45R17 in the well. They are a 27.2" tire, so only about 1/2" lower than the 275/50R17. Depending on tire bulge on a 295/45R17 on a 17x9.5 rim, I am guessing it would be an extra 1/4" bulge from a 275/50R17 on a 9", so that would take me to a 1/2 - 9/16" space left between the rim & spring on a 5" back space.
From the face of the tire that is on the car now, I am 2" to the outside of the fender lip, so a 9.5" rim with 5" BS takes me to 1.5" to the outside of the fender lip. Considering an extra 1/4" of bulge on the tire takes me to 1 1/4 - 1" from the outside of the lip. Technically still in the well, but barely.

From the measuring I have done I too am finding the 275 is easy to fit in the back of a 71-74 Charger, But a 295 wide tire is a challenge. What do you guys think?

 

[Ron 73]

Looks good to me Wookie, It appears that you could go a little bit more if you wanted to, but they do look good! That look from behind they look super good, Love those rims.

 

[daredevil]

looking good

 

[red340bbody]

wow does that ever look nice .I wish they would make that tire with a white letter ,that is what my car came with and magnums (14's) not much choice of big rubber for that .but thanks for opening my choice of windows...cop wheels or these magnums ...dammit i need help...