I was going to just use the factory 9.5" wheel. I see people putting the 305 tire on it
Very bad idea and a waste of money if you do. The 9.5" wheel has a maximum contact patch of 275mm. Anything larger and that extra rubber you pay for won't even touch the ground at the same time. I say this because they will "skate" side to side under heavy load. This will reduce traction, control, and generally make you slower than before. Well, in theory. The factory 275s are terrible. Even a skating oversized, improperly mounted Michelin will perform better. However, a Michelin at 275 would outperform the factory tire and the 305 Michelin.
So, long story short, you need an 11" wheel to get full use out of a 305.
Equivalency table
Rim width | Minimum tire width | Ideal tire width | Maximum tire width |
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5,0 Inches | 155 mm | 165 or 175 mm | 185 mm |
5,5 Inches | 165 mm | 175 or 185 mm | 195 mm |
6,0 Inches | 175 mm | 185 or 195 mm | 205 mm |
6,5 Inches | 185 mm | 195 or 205 mm | 215 mm |
7,0 Inches | 195 mm | 205 or 215 mm | 225 mm |
7,5 Inches | 205 mm | 215 or 225 mm | 235 mm |
8,0 Inches | 215 mm | 225 or 235 mm | 245 mm |
8,5 Inches | 225 mm | 235 or 245 mm | 255 mm |
9,0 Inches | 235 mm | 245 or 255 mm | 265 mm |
9,5 Inches | 245 mm | 255 or 265 mm | 275 mm |
10,0 Inches | 255 mm | 265 or 275 mm | 285 mm |
10,5 Inches | 265 mm | 275 or 285 mm | 295 mm |
11,0 Inches | 275 mm | 285 or 295 mm | 305 mm |
11,5 Inches | 285 mm | 295 or 305 mm | 315 mm |
12,0 Inches | 295 mm | 305 or 315 mm | 325 mm |
12,5 Inches | 305 mm | 315 or 325 mm | 335 mm |