Wheel & Tire Size

I need to get wheels and tires for my Sebring. If has a Ford 8" rear with leaf springs, disc & manual rack & pinion up front. It has 5 lug x 4.5. Any idea what size wheels and tires will fit without issues?

I don't know what will fit without issues but with some issues I managed to get 315/35/17s under the back and 275s on the front. Looks mean as hell.

Thanks for the reply! Can you share a photo?

My 5000 had leaf springs before my rebuild.  The leaf itself and the rear section of the interior insert were the limiting parts on my car.  I can't find my old notes, but it seems that I recall that there was only about 6" from the outside drum face (wheel mounting surface)and the leaf spring.

The rear of the interior section is just about the same distance as the leaf spring.  While the leaf spring moves with the tire, the interior section doesn't.  If one side of the axle goes over a large bump, the top of the tire will actually tilt in at the top.  This will cause it to contact the interior section if it's very close to the spring.

My car was fitted with 14" x 6" wheels when I got it.  As I recall they had about a 4 1/4" back space.  The tires were 205/70's.  They stuck out from under the fenders about a 1/4".

I think you will be limited to about a 245 width with the leafs, unless you don't mind a lot of tire sticking outside the fender.  The main problem is the wheel.  About a 7" width is going to be about the max in the rear if you want to keep everything under the lip of the fender.  The actual overall wheel width of any wheel is going to be approximately 1" wider than the listed width.  The 7" wheel will be closer to 8" outside to outside.

The MX version of the Sebring can apparently get away with a lot more tire.  Some claim that the MX body is wider than the 5000, but I have never heard of this being proven.  I think it's more due to the 4-link and coil suspension not interfering as much.

FWIW - This is one of the main reasons I changed my rear suspension. It looks like I'm going to have to add small wheel tubs in the interior section, too.

Thanks for all the info!

I got 255/60/15 from my MX under my Sebring, There was some tire sticking out, but the height (27") was ok. Mx flare is 2" wider on each side.

Perfect, I wanted to go with 15's. Thanks!