1) I noticed the V comes with 17" wheels...this would seem to indicate that V has higher ground clearance. Is this correct? 2) Has anyone tried tire sizes with greater aspect ratios of 70 or 75 on the Type II-IV models and did they successfully fit?
No. The 17" wheels are fitted with tires that have a lower profile (sidewall) than the 15" wheels. The outside diameter of both tire sizes is within a rounding error of each other.
To get a really tall tire without giving up width, you may have to go to an even smaller wheel than stock. I don't know that they make anything less than the 15" and if they did you might have fitment / clearance problems.
Yea, I could conceive that if you wanted to gain more than 0.5-1 inch in clearance, you'd need to use smaller wheels, which seriously raises the cost of the effort. I should be able to gain the above clearance with the 195/70-15 size, but I'm not sure the gain will be of much benefit.
Vinnie If you are trying to get more ground clearance: RING-TYPE COIL SPRING STABILIZER - JCWhitney COIL SPRING 2-WAY ADJUSTER & STABILIZER - JCWhitney
Yes, or you could do it yourself once you get the car's weight off the wheels. You just slide the rubber ones into the uncompressed spring, then put the weight back on the ground. The metal ones screw into the uncompressed spring, but will be harsher and noisier than rubber..
Not me, I have a Gen II and do not know anyone with a Gen III. I have not wanted my Prius taller, but know that the cheapest, least modifying way, to raise a car is with spring spacers. All new taller springs would cost hundreds. Spring spacers can make sure your taller tires do not rub.
OK, I might move into the technical discussion forum to see if anyone has had success with these. I wonder if it would be suitably raised by adding spacers and using the OEM tires.
