So I got some used 2004 17" Rims and tires recently for $150. The fronts have brand new tires on them and the rears are about 40%. I just want to use them for around town and driving more aggressive.

I've tried to search but no luck. Can I simply put the front wheels on the rear? I know they are going to be not as wide but my car is stock.

Would i see a difference in handling and ride?

 

That's going to be difficult to drive around with only two wheels.

 

Since the wheel is slightly thinner, it will look odd with the wheel so far into the wheel well. Buy some wheel spacers for them and it should look somewhat normal. Having the fronts in the rear should not make a big difference with 1in. Some people even buy thin crappy rims and tires to do drifting and burnouts in. There's not going to be much noticeable difference. Even with my stock rears, it fishtails when i floor it with 80% treads

 

Great thanks for the answer. I really don't mind looks for the time being. Just saw these and bought them, and there is about 95% tread on two so I figure instead of cooking my good wheels/tires I mind as well use these. I mean it's just 225 instead of 235 in the rear but i agree would look bad due to the widebody of the Z.

Thanks!

 

Yes you can put the front wheels on the rear and rear on the front. You probably want the best tires on the rear.

 

Awesome thanks man.

Yeah the fronts have brand new Toyo Tires actually.

 

What size are the tires?

That can make a huge difference, even to the point if a swap will work safely.

--Spike

 

These are some stock wheels from a 2004 Base 350z.

Front: 225/50/17
Rear: 235/50/17

Bascially the front tires are brand new. And the rear are very low.

I figure instead of buying new tires because I only paid $150 for the wheels and tires, I could switch.

I justr want to be safe of course, but don't care much about looks.

 

Youre in new york, winter is upon us and you want to drive aggressive. I would take that money you saved and invest in the proper tires.

 

Haha on that one. Im not driving the z at all as its going into storage.

Dont worry I have a car with winter tires so yeah. And my other wheels are perfect just dont want to mess up the tires

 

You shouldnt be driving your Z in the snow anyways. Put it away for the winter

 

That's my mentality.

I would be too paranoid. I honestly don't know why it came with heated and not cooled seats. I mean I can't think of why you would drive it in winter.. 300 hp, short wheel base and RWD.

Luckily I have a second car (Toyota Celica) with snow tires.

 

I didnt realize you were asking this question 5 months in advance

 

lmfao thats funny

 

Some of us aren't that lucky and get to drive our babies through the winter. A good set of winter tires, and the Z's great handling in the dry translates to wet or snow (although the limits are significantly lower).

The one downside -- rock chips in the windshield. Those SUCK!

 

One of my coworkers has a Z and he had blizzaks and said that driving was just a nightmare. Even as slow as he went it just isn't a car to drive in the snow.

Mind you in NY where I am, we get "lake effect snow" and it's not out of the ordinary to get a couple of feet over night.

If I didn't have my celica, I would honestly try to find a beater on craigslist.

 

I’ve owned my Z for 8 years now, and drive it during the winter months in Minnesota where we get snow and lots of ice. I’ve never had a problem. My winter setup is 17” wheels and studless snow tires.

--Spike

 

2 feet of snow stops your Celica as well as the Z.

--Spike

 

At the end of the day would you rather drive your z or a beater during winter?

Idk why you would drive the z realistically.

 

“At the end of the day,” during the day, and all winter long I drive my Z (equipped with a dedicated wheel/ tire setup).

I don’t own a beater, but I do have a second vehicle. I just like driving the Z better. I bought the car so I could drive it, not to store it for a few months every year.

--Spike