KevinGS

Neo, this all just sounds counterintuitive to me, really.

If you have a 19" setup with 245/35/19 tires and you have 20" setup at 245/35/20 tires, the rim/wheel total combined diameters are basically the same. Basically if you start with 16" rims, and keep increasing plus one until you get to 20's...you are basically just losing more and more sidewall and gaining more and more rim.

And I thought the IDEA was to keep the overall wheel/tire diameter the same as you increase, to prevent issues with rubbing and the suspension.

Of course the width of the rims/tires (the offset), is the second issue but that's the width of the new package affecting the setup, not the height.

So, it seems logical that if you try to increase the sidewall on a 19" or 20" package, you will most certainly increase the overall diameter of the rim/tire combination, which would certainly mean you'd have to tuck fenders and be wary of suspension components rubbing and such.

It doesn't seem possible to increase the 19" sidewall and keep the same overall diameter of the wheels. You would then have 18"-like sidewall on 19" rims, which is fine if you have quite a bit of clearance (i.e. a truck), but I doubt that's the case with the Lexus. I bet the cars don't have an extra inch or two to play with in terms of clearance height, especially if you're lowering the car at all.

Does this make sense? LOL

It seems that I will just have to get the 19s if I want a little more sidewall, which is all I am going to get, a "little more". That's why many of us just buy 20s, because the extra little bit of sidewall doesn't amount to much. But maybe I am wrong.

Why choose a 19 over a 20 if you can get the same rim/tire package you want in a 20? I am sure some have made this choice, and I'd like to know why. I maybe missing something in all this rim/wheel discussion.

rominl

iTrader: (4)

don't try to do the fat setup on the 20s, you will run into serious problem coz' you will hit suspension. i repeat, do NOT try it. it's basically asking if it's ok to put on 21s. unless you get something that's very narrow (which is stupid) or sticks out a lot (which is also stupid), it's NOT going to work.

i understand having more sidewall on 20s would be good, but it's just not going to happen

and 245/35/19 and 245/35/20, overall diameter is different

basically for 19 you can have fat setup. for 18s you can have fat setup too (though i don't see the point). but for 20s, just one size. that's why it's not even on my faq list

Neo

iTrader: (3)

Just some numbers to help you out:

OEM 16s (From Lexus website):
225/55 Sidewall: 4.9" OD: 25.7"

OEM 17s (From Lexus website):
235/45 Sidewall: 4.2" OD: 25.3

18s:
245/40 Sidewall: 3.9" OD: 25.7" (recommended, OEM-like)
245/45 Sidewall: 4.3" OD: 26.7" (fat)

19s:
245/35 Sidewall: 3.4" OD: 25.8" (recommended, OEM-like)
245/40 Sidewall: 3.9" OD: 26.7" (fat)

20s:
245/30 Sidewall: 2.9" OD: 25.8" (OEM-like)
245/35 Sidewall: 3.4" OD: 26.8" (recommended)
245/40 Sidewall: 3.9" OD: 27.7" (fat, bad )

I hope this helps you see the sizing comparison. The OEM sizes have changed over time but this is the current sizing from the website.

F4Luder

sorry to interept you guy's convo but whats the widest tire you can have on the rear suspension on a 19x8 rim size ?? 275 or 285?

Neo

iTrader: (3)

I don't know what the limit would be if someone really wants to push it but I would not be comfortable doing more than 245 on a x8 wheel.

KevinGS

Thanks a TON, Neo. Printing this out as I type. Great stuff. JUST what I needed.

Decisions, decisions... but I am so glad to have you guys because when I do make a decision on my rims (probably 20's, OEM-like setup) and shocks/springs (maybe be L-tuned for now, Tein CS later)...when I do make these decisions in the next few weeks, I feel I will have been VERY well-informed.

Again, thank you very much for such pertinent, to-the-point info. It is, literally, priceless.

Neo

iTrader: (3)

L-Tuned now, CS later is fine. You'll just have to pay for install twice. I did.

As for wheels, the 20s OEM setup has very little sidewall == very little comfort. You'll also find that those sizes are very limited in selection. I would suggest the recommended size of 245/35.

Still, it is your car so do what you feel is right for you.

rominl

iTrader: (4)

imho, do it once and do it right.... don't waste the money on ltuned

rominl

iTrader: (4)

yes, 245 is the very max i would do on 8