06 Turbo GT 17" wheel to 15"

[PaulieG]

I have a 06 GT turbo conv. It has 205/50R17. I hate the hard ride and I have already broken to steel belts on pot holes in this area. I wanted to go to 15" or 16" inch crome rims with babymoon hubcaps and red band tires maybe 60 series for retro look and soother ride. One dealer told me that the GT has larger calibors and that I had to stay with 17". Does anyone know a manufacture with wheels that will fit. Thanks

[lakersfan1]

Yes. The GT calipers are bigger size so they don't fit anything less than 17" wheels. I just upgraded from 15 to 17 and to me it rides exactly the same IMO. Maybe even softer because the 17's I bought are only nylon side belt (no stiff steel). Honestly, I don't know how you think the 17's are too stiff unless you have them over-inflated. If they're anything over 34 PSI, I'd try lowering the air pressure first. Then, if that doesn't work, you can look at a slightly larger tire. I'm running 215/50/17 which are .25" larger diameter, but my speedo is still slightly under the actual speed I'm going. Might also be able to fit 205/55/17 (.5" larger diameter) under there with the right brand tire. I wouldn't go bigger than either of those two sizes though.

Also, if they're the stock tires that are breaking belts .... the stock Goodyears that Chrysler put on all the Cruisers (regardless of size) suck and are prone to belt breakage regardless.

[PaulieG]

Hey Lakerfan1 Thanks. I'll test the tire pressure. And yes they are Goodyear. What Brand tire are you using now.

[lakersfan1]

Falken Ziex 912

[quicksilverdon]

[QUOTE=lakersfan1;227393]Yes. The GT calipers are bigger size so they don't fit anything less than 17" wheels. QUOTE]

WRONG.
The GT calipers ARE bigger, but there are folks with GTs that use the stock steel wheels in winter, and I have an '05 turbo lite with the 4-wheel disc ABS which is the same as the GT brakes, and it came with 16" wheels, so it is NOT TRUE that you have to have 17" wheels.

I called Tire Rack - the deal is to put in GT turbo, then go to "winter" and it will give you the wheels in different sizes that'll fit over the brakes.

I'm considering downsizing my daughter's wheels/tires - her stock 17" chromies are peeling, she dented one really bad, and is getting flats a lot and the tires are expensive. I'm considering 16 or even 15 so I can get the same Michelin Hydroedge tires I have on mine that don't come in 17".

[PaulieG]

Thanks Don I'll try the site. The tires are expensive and I need 2 already.
Tought I could do them all get a better ride and sell what I have.