A while back I lowered my XH and put some Roh RT 17s on. Looks sick, but the front wheels rubbed initially on the top. I rolled the guards a bit and made sure I took it slow through sharp dips, etc, but I've been stung. On the highway with an empty semi up my rear end, I felt the left front tyre rub on a dip. Now it has a 2cm chunk out of it, right on the edge, and it's deep. I need a new tyre.

They are Kumho Ecstas 225/50 R17. I'm tempted to replace it with something cheap cause all I do now is cruise around town and it isn't going to rain here till November pretty much.

Can I put a narrower tyre on it to stop it rubbing as much? If so, what (smaller) size options do I have? The tyres are wider than the wheel (but I don't know the exact wheel width).

I don't like going to tyre shops, parts shops, etc not knowing anything about what I'm buying. I found that they quickly sell you s**t for heaps of money. Any help on what size I could go to minimise the risk of rubbing would be great.

not 100% but i always thought fords ran 225/45/17s, try that for a bit and see how it goes

I run 235/45/17R. My tyres scrubbed a little and while going down on the GOR, I managed to chew a few chunks out of the tyres...after realizing I didn't set my suspension to stiff. Anyways, guards got rolled and now they don't scrub no more .

I'll try some lower profiles and get the guards done properly. That should fix it.

Thanks.

I have 18x8 245 and have no scrubbing no matter how fast I go.
Underside scrubs tho.

It's not so much a matter of going fast instead of having the front dip down compressing the springs. It is harder at speed obviously. I have Pedders lows in the front, but maybe being a ute with the weight distributed further forward than wagons or sedans I have problems that you guys don't.

I'll see how I go. I'm having fun riding my bike in the meantime.

Yep, as said the 'right' size in 17's is 235/45R17. A common size so should be cheaper to find than anything in a 225/50R17.

Also have you lowered it properly? (not just cut springs all hecktic and stupid like). Proper lowered springs and shocks will prevent diving under brakes and dips.

Mmm. Missed the ute part. Sucks man.

In the front I used Pedders low coil and strut setup with reset standard leaves in the rear. No cutting and got it all realigned afterwards. Only lowered about 4.5cm.

I'll get some 45 instead of 50s like you've all suggested when I have some cash to throw around.