97 Legacy GT wheels fit on a 90 Legacy wagon?

[JBearSVT]

They're steelies, tire size 205/65/15, and my stock tires are 185/70/14. Just wondering if the offset is the same, if the wider tire will hit the front springs, etc. Anyone done this?

[deadlydave]

It'll fit. Most definitely. :smile:

[Sarra]

They're steelies, tire size 205/65/15, and my stock tires are 185/70/14. Just wondering if the offset is the same, if the wider tire will hit the front springs, etc. Anyone done this?

Lemme put it this way. As far as wheels go, if they're the bolt pattern, they will fit your Legacy. 2006 17" LGT wheels? They'll fit. 1998 Legacy GT wheels? They'll fit. 2004 STi wheels, they'll fit. SVX wheels? They won't fit, they're 5X114 (?), not 5X100. Same with 2005+ STi wheels.

Will the clear your suspension? That's an interesting question, but I believe that they should. If you ran 24" wheels, no, they wouldn't.

Tires is where it also gets interesting. 205 65R15 tires are going to be a little big, but not by very much. http://www.rims-n-tires.com/rt_specs.jsp Tire calculator says not much, though, 5%. You should be able to get away with that no problem. You probably will have some rub. Find some shorter sidewalled tires (play with the calculator)...

I put in 185 70R14 X 5.5" ET 55 for the original wheels/tires, and 205 65R15 X 6" ET 55 for the others. I don't believe that ET55 is correct, but it should be close enough.

Seriously, your best option is to just BUY A NEW SET OF TIRES. You'll KNOW you get good tires, you'll have a warranty, and you'll have more peace of mind. Buying junkyard tires is roulette... It's more expensive to buy and mount them and such, but it's worth it. Plus, you'll get tires you know will fit.

[JBearSVT]

Yeah, by "fit" I meant dimensionally, not bolt pattern. I would just buy new tires, but I don't like the tires or wheels that are on it and can get much better (with some risk) used tires and wheels for less than the cost of four crappy new tires for these wheels that are on it. I'm just not making that kind of investment(in my winter beater) for something I'm not going to like at all, when there are other options available to me. Thanks for you help, sounds like these have a good shot at working.

[deadlydave]

Thanks for you help, sounds like these have a good shot at working.

They have a 100% shot of working. :smile: The suspension--struts, springs, etc are the same size in the 1st and 2nd Gen Legacies. There are tons of people using LGT wheels on older and newer Subarus.

[JBearSVT]

OK, I took a real good look at the car this morning, and I'm really having my doubts. Strangely enough it's the rears that look tight, but regardless- according to the tire size comparison calculator I found here at SLi, they would be 3/4" wider and a full 1 1/4"+ taller overall diameter. Looking in between the tire and spring perch, I really don't think I have room to get an inch closer to the spring in there. It's pretty tight now. If the new rims had less backspacing than mine, the odds would be quite a bit better, but if it's the same it looks close and if it's larger not a chance. I'd just hate to spend $250 and drive an hour to get these only to have them rub in back. :-?

[jey]

Get the right sized tire for that wheel and they won't rub anywhere.

[Reason]

Get the right sized tire for that wheel and they won't rub anywhere.

+1

[JBearSVT]

That would pretty much defeat the purpose of buying these to begin with.

[Sarra]

That would pretty much defeat the purpose of buying these to begin with.

Sounds like you have a bit of a choice:

1) Buy a set of wheels from a junkyard that are stock sized, and put good tires on them.

2) Get a set of wheels, like 15" Outback or 16" Legacy or what the hell ever, and get a set of good tires on them.

3) Buy a set of outback or whatever wheels W/ tires, and deal with rub.

4) Buy a set of wheels from a junkyard with correct sized tires on them and take your damn chances.

Tires are THE most important part of your car. You can take a 1991 Honda Civic, put awesome tires on it, race a STi with the crappiest tires you could find, and kick it's ass. When you stomp those brakes, the tires are a key part of slowing down. Trust me, spend the money, and KNOW you're putting good tires on your car. I went from junk all season tires to a set of Summer tires, and I was astounded. I could floor the brake pedal and the ABS wouldn't even kick in.

I've got a set of 14" steelies (no tires) if you want 'em. $10 + shipping.

[JBearSVT]

Thanks... 14" steelies is what I already have, with crappy old tires that have been rotting for five years in the dirt on them. If you had bare 15" steelies, I'd be all over it.
Trust me, you're preaching to the choir about good tires- I've shelled out thousands of dollars over the years to keep the best V and Z rated rubber on my Mustangs. I had to, I drive the wheels off those cars so I can't skimp. If I get 10K out of a 30K tire, it's a lot. This car on the other hand, is a beater. It runs pretty well, but with the power and handling it has on tap I should be able to stop pretty well just opening the door and putting my foot down- I'm not expecting to be performing any driving heroics with it, just getting to work in the snow in something I don't care too much about. Granted, once performance modifications (inevitably, I can't leave anything alone) start, good rubber will be a priority. Right now I just want my Cobra off the road asap, as cheaply as possible.
That all being said, it's looking like my best bet may well be to just get new tires for the puny little wheels that are on it. While I'm waiting for the lost title paperwork to come in the mail, I still have a few days to find something else... but I'm not holding my breath anymore.

[Sarra]

Blah, I'm being so OCD tonight.

Stock 1997 GT wheels were 16" alloys. :p Snowflakes...

I'd vote for getting a set of the 5 hole 15" Legacy wheels. They used to be had for cheap on NASIOC... Good luck finding them now, everyone's holding on to what they've got. :evil:

[JBearSVT]

I think I've got a set of 15" steelies with 195/60 snows in the bag, hopefully I'll be able to pick them up next week. Thanks for all the replies folks! Especially Okin DaVanh for sort of hooking me up with this seller.

[Sarra]

I think I've got a set of 15" steelies with 195/60 snows in the bag, hopefully I'll be able to pick them up next week. Thanks for all the replies folks! Especially Okin DaVanh for sort of hooking me up with this seller.

Good, and good luck. :razz:

[jey]

I'm not expecting to be performing any driving heroics with it, just getting to work in the snow in something I don't care too much about.

You'd be surprised how important tires are for that basic requirement too. When my 3-year-old all-seasons were worn down to about 5/32", it was a total mess in the snow. I would have been better off in a RWD pickup truck with proper tires.

Sounds like you have a winner with your snow tires though! Otherwise, you were right, 14" tires are really cheap, even good ones, and that would have been the cheapest way to go.

[JBearSVT]

:-? Actually, I found 14" tires to be the same price as 15's, many times more- and less than half the selection. Just didn't make sense in any way to get them, to me.

[JBearSVT]

So, ice under snow tonight, off camber 90* turn and I understeered right into a curb and bent a wheel. *&^&%$!
Anyway, I came across a set of four 15" steelies on Craigs List off an '02 Legacy. The guy doesn't know the offset of backspacing. Anyone know if these are the same ones as mine off a '97?

[Sarra]

If they're factory stock, they would be +55mm offset.

[Mr. Sociable]

So, ice under snow tonight, off camber 90* turn and I understeered right into a curb and bent a wheel. *&^&%$!
Anyway, I came across a set of four 15" steelies on Craigs List off an '02 Legacy. The guy doesn't know the offset of backspacing. Anyone know if these are the same ones as mine off a '97?

No idea if they're the same (but then again it IS late here). But if they fit on the BE they'll fit on your car. Like everyone has said, any stock Subaru wheel with a 5x100 bolt pattern or most any wheel with a width of 6-8" and an offset somewhere from ~48 to ~53 will be good. Obivously a wider wheel will require slightly lower offsets to clear the suspension.

It's a little rough, but explains things fairly accurately.

[JBearSVT]

My main concern isn't so much if they'll bolt up as if it's the same as what I have. If they aren't, I'll have to remove and remount four tires instead of just one. I know the '97 15's I'm using have a different offset than the '90 14's they replaced, but what's the likelihood that Subaru changed their 15" steelies between '97 and '02? I wonder what a dealer would charge me for a steel '97 wheel... :-?

[Mr. Sociable]

In that case, I have no idea. My bet would be that they are the same, but thats kind of a guess.

[JBearSVT]

$99, apparently. I think I may start calling some junkyards.

[decke48]

ive bought steelys from town fair tire for around $55 each brand new

[JBearSVT]

Town Fair Tire says $76. Well, it's better than $99.