what 18's for my Mustang? [Archive]

kmcanally

06-19-2005, 04:32 AM

In another thread I explored putting a 315-17 tire on my 68 coupe. The used 315/35-17 tire I bought on Ebay proved that the leaf springs needed to be moved in about 1/2" for clearance plus the requisite mini-tub procedure. Since I am so close to finishing this car I have decided not to start cutting now and save that for a possible future project.

But I am interested in getting rid of the IMO played out Cobra R wheels. And I would like to stuff a little more tire in the back at the same time. The 275/40-17's on now show that there is some room to grow, just not to a 315. There is not much selection in the 17's between the 275 and 315 sizes if any at all. But there is a wide selection of 285/35 and 295/35 tires that should fit fine using an 18x10 wheel. If I had the dime I would shop for Fikses, or Forgelines, so I started to look at the available late model Mustang wheels that are easy to put on the back of these cars. The only two that I would consider are the FR500 and the Bullitt wheels. And they are real inexpensive at $160 for the silver FR500 and $175 for the silver Bullitt. Add approximately $25 for polishing and $50 for chrome but I am leaning towards the silver or maybe the anthracite. Which style do you like and in what finish?

phonedude_mln

06-19-2005, 09:34 AM

the silver FR500s look like the original styled steel wheels, so that would probably be my favorite.

the Bullit wheels are ok, but if you are going for the classic 5 spoke look, I think TTIIs look better.

MrQuick

06-19-2005, 10:15 AM

I like the 3rd one...what more would you need to do to fit the 315's?

kmcanally

06-19-2005, 12:35 PM

315's on this car will require a coil-over conversion and mini-tubbing...
I am trying to figure out to get the absolute most tire on the car without surgery.

Ralph LoGrasso

06-19-2005, 04:52 PM

I like the charcoal FR500's. :icon996:

64Comet

06-20-2005, 08:24 AM

I am trying to do the same with my Comet...use late model availability for rims and adapting them to fit my application. What spacers are you using for the late model rims? I have called a source that supplies all Mustang stuff to ask about wheel spacers. Young kids answer the phones and cannot give me an answer as to what spacers are needed for certain year late model wheels to fit classic backspacing. Do you know of anyone that could help?

gbeals

06-20-2005, 08:53 AM

I too was going to go with the black 500 rims.. I think they look sweet. I ultimatley ended up going with the chrome bulletts. 9" in the back and 8" up front. 17's.. (From your input)

With your car, I'd go with the silver fr500's. Think it would be Bad Axx

kmcanally

06-20-2005, 10:03 AM

gbeals: in your thread I did not respond to the 18" sizes that you were considering because I had never looked into them before. But after the desire to put 315's on my car played out because of the mods required I took a closer look at the 18's and discovered that these tires are available in 285 and 295's unlike the 17's.

64Comet: With the Cobra R's (17x9 w/24mm pos offset) I am running a 3/4" spacer in the back with long ARP Nascar studs. The 18x10 w/22mm offset will not requires any spacer to fit the rear.

CAMAROBOY69

06-20-2005, 10:08 AM

stanglou

06-20-2005, 10:22 AM

as far as wheel spacing goes, I found that for a 66 mustang with 17's, the new style 29 mm offset wheel are a little less than one inch more spacing.

kmcanally

06-20-2005, 10:32 AM

late model wheels to fit classic backspacing. Do you know of anyone that could help?

Not really...I suggest you determine the size and backspacing of the current wheels and measure the available space with these wheels mounted. Then lay it all out on paper (I used AutoCAD) with vertical lines to represent the wheel width and mounting hub. Remember that an 8" wheel is actually 9" wide overall. Next lay out a new wheel beneath the current wheel with the mounting flanges lined up vertically. In the example drawing I show my current Cobra R's at the top and the FR500 at the bottom. From this drawing I determined that inside of the 18x10 wheel is going to protrude 1.17" further into the wheel house. I know that I have 1.5" clearance with the current combination so this should work.

64Comet

06-20-2005, 12:14 PM

Where are you going for your wheel selection KMcnally? I have been looking at this site...a nice selection and IMO great package prices.

http://www.wheelmax.com/Wheels/wheels.htm

kmcanally

06-20-2005, 01:54 PM

Where are you going for your wheel selection KMcnally? I have been looking at this site...a nice selection and IMO great package prices.

http://www.wheelmax.com/Wheels/wheels.htm

I will likely go here for the wheels...18x10 are $165 ea and the 18x9 are $155 and shipping is FREE!
http://www.mustangtuning.com/fr500wheels1.html

For the tire I will likely go to Ebay...I found a pair of brand new BFG Comp TA 295/35-18 for $280 + $43 for shipping. For the front Ebay has some 245/40 G Force TA's for even less

kmcanally

06-20-2005, 02:03 PM

Third one for sure(anthracite). Black on dark cars is always absolutely sick!!! I bet if someone photoshopped the black wheels on there you wouldnt even think twice about buying those. :icon996:
The middle one would be my next choice after the anthracite wheel.

Thanks for the reccommendation CAMAROBOY69....These wheels are available in silver, anthracite (charcoal), black, polished and chrome.
I am leaning towards the silver or anthracite. These wheels are real similar to the big dime Forgelines like on Steve69LS1's new Camaro. And someone else here mentioned that they were similar to the styled steel wheels that came on early Mustangs from the factory.

kmcanally

06-21-2005, 03:48 AM

Thanks to tjb0647 I had the silver wheels pic-chopped on...comments?
See the the first post in this thread for a pic of the car with the current Cobra R's. Which one do you think looks better?

CAMAROBOY69

06-21-2005, 04:36 AM

I think the anthracite (charcoal) wheels would definetly look better.

64Comet

06-21-2005, 08:30 AM

Give the Charcoal a shot, i think they would look better too.

gbeals

06-21-2005, 10:51 AM

man - those are great deals on those rims with that size. I wonder how 18's look on these rides.. I wasnt able to find too many pics to get a visual. All I hear in other threads was, how bad a 18" wheel would look on a classic stang, so I started loosing interest...

NOW IM INTERESTED again. Seems to fit much better in the rear with the 18x10 - and you get a good size dish there too. BUT will the 18x9 fit up front.. That may be where it gets difficult.

Any info or pics you may come across --- fill me in with some links.

Almost forgot... Here you go. - After doing the photos for you - I'll do my car but im pretty sure ME LIKEY

kmcanally

06-21-2005, 01:00 PM

Sweet! Thanks gbeals! They look fantastic....but I have to ask where did you get the wheel pics? The wheels you chopped are two piece but all of the FR500's I have found are one piece wheels...even the ones on fordracing.com.

The problem with a 17x9 on the front of these cars is that the rim hits the ball joint (at lest with my GW upper arms). On my Cobra R's I fixed this by narrowing the wheels 1 inch. I am hoping that the 18" rims will clear by virtue of their bigger diameter...otherwise I will be getting them narrowed as well.

The 18x10's w/22mm offset will fit the rear without the 3/4" spacers I have to use with the Cobra R's....cool.

I have seen two early Mustangs in mags with 18's..one is black 65/66 fastback in the December 04 issus of Mustang and Fords. This car has 335's on the back that look out of place IMO. Probably because they are sunk too far in from the fender lip. Another is the blue 67 turbocharged fastback owned by a JBA employee....not sure what mag but I do have a copy at home so I will post some pics later. This car has 18x10's (TTII's) with 285 tires...stock leafs and no mini-tub.
On this car it is hard to notice that they ar 18's instead of 17's.

The real reason IMO to go with the 18's is because they have the sizes that the 17's lack...specifically the 285 and 295 series tyres.

kmcanally

06-21-2005, 01:23 PM

hmmmmmmm......anthracite or silver?????

kmcanally

06-21-2005, 03:35 PM

18's on early Mustangs......

gbeals

06-22-2005, 05:00 AM

To be honest, Im not sure where I got those pics. I just had them in my file of "inspiration" :) Im sure they are way more $$ but me like.

Yeah, Im curious to see if the 18x9 will fit up front. Thanks for the pics of the 18's Im gonna do some searchin' today (if work permits) I've found some possible rims that are 18x8 and 18x9 - what kind of backspacing would I need? Do you know the mm of offset?

BTW - what other boards do you frequent (pm me so admins dont get all worked up about promoing other boards) you know the saying dont bite the hand that feeds ya..

Did ya happen to check out the vid I sent you in your PM? That's where my car is at for now.

kmcanally

06-22-2005, 10:59 AM

gbeals you have PM...

As for a back spacing my 17" Cobra R's have:

Front: 8" wheel w/+12mm offset (this made from a 9" wheel w/+24mm
that had 1" removed from it.

Rear: 9" wheel w/+24mm offset and a 3/4" spacer

These seem to fit on my car although I have yet to drive it. Plus consider that my fender lips have been rolled both front and back. Plus I have GW front control arms.

From this you should be able to draw your own conclusions about fit for your particular car. I am going to get my hands on a 18x9 w/+24 offset sometime this week to see if it clears the upper control arm. I will post a pic and some info later this week on the outcome of this test.

I am not a member of any other boards...although I will occasionally cruise stangnet and corners carvers when I am looking for some model specific information.

64Comet

06-23-2005, 07:48 AM

That blue car has 18x10's with no mods?!?!?!?!? How? Not that i dont believe you, I know they will fit with tubs and minor frame work, but with stock location leafs?
I need to know because any way i look at it, i am going to need to relocate the leafs for anything wider than a 8" width and i would rather not do that!

kmcanally

06-23-2005, 08:18 AM

My car currently has 17x9's with a 275/40 tire. With this combo there is almost exactly 1.5" from the tire to the leaf spring. So an 18x10 wheel will fit with a 295 tire that is approximately .78" wider than my 275.
The fitment on the back is the least of my concerns....its the front that might take some work. I just ordered 2 18x9 +36 (2005 Mustang size) to test fit on the fronts. The concern here is clearance with the upper control arms...If they hit then I will get them narrowed by 1" just like I did with my R's....

64Comet

06-23-2005, 10:45 AM

I guess my problem is my tear shape outer wheel well... I just dont think i will be able to do it. Doesnt look like yours or the blue ones rim and tire hang out all that much. i am going to have to get under there and measure and re-maeasure to see. Let me know about your fronts! I would like to run a 9 wide on the front and 10 on the back. i am looking at 8.5 up front and 9.5 out back right now...guess thats pretty close.

Btw, quick question for you. How did you go about rolling your fenders without doing danage? Is there a certain process?

kmcanally

06-23-2005, 01:11 PM

Btw, quick question for you. How did you go about rolling your fenders without doing danage? Is there a certain process?

I had the lips rolled when the car was being painted. This will gain some extra clearance, plus if a tire does rub it will not cut like the stock flange will.

64Comet

06-23-2005, 01:46 PM

OK, I will post that question in the body shop area and see if i get some different techniques. Let me know how the 2005 front 9's workout if you dont mind.

kmcanally

06-23-2005, 06:06 PM

I will post a message and pic in this thread after I receive them and get them mounted...more later :icon996:

kmcanally

07-04-2005, 10:33 AM

I bought the black 18x9 FR500 for the fronts. They will need to be narrower 1" just like my R's did. However before I spend the dime to do this I need some opinions. Should I continue with the FR500's or stick with the Cobra R's as shown on the car in the pic at the start of this thread. If I do decide to run the FR's should I stick with the black or maybe go with silver or anthracite?

My inspiration for the black FR500's came from Steve69LS1's bad ass 68 Camaro. However I can not afford Forgelines so I found these replica FR500's at www.mustangtuning.com for about $150 each. IMO a great price for an 18" wheel.

Let me know what you guys think.

Blue70

07-04-2005, 11:17 AM

I think the FR500s look great!!

I would stick with the black centers too :icon996:

Can you get them in an 18x8 or are you talking having those cut?

USAZR1

07-04-2005, 11:19 AM

The real reason IMO to go with the 18's is because they have the sizes that the 17's lack...specifically the 285 and 295 series tyres.

Not sure I understand what you're referring to as 285/40/17 tires are available and were used as oem-sizing on the rear of many C4 Corvettes.

kmcanally

07-04-2005, 06:38 PM

Not sure I understand what you're referring to as 285/40/17 tires are available and were used as oem-sizing on the rear of many C4 Corvettes.

Your right there are some 285/40-17 tires available, but they are not as as common as the 275/40-17 size. A search at the tire rack showed only 15 285/40-17 tires, none of which I prefer or can afford. The 275/40-17 is the most popular size with 55 different tires available. There is only one 295/40-17 but was a competition tire (the Kumho ECSTA V710).

I have already bought some 295/35-18's for the back of this car. I want to fit the absolute biggest tire I can without any mods.

kmcanally

07-04-2005, 06:43 PM

Can you get them in an 18x8 or are you talking having those cut?

There are no 18x8's in this wheel available, at least not that I know of. So yes they will have to be cut down.

gbeals

07-05-2005, 05:46 AM

Lookin' real good. I'd def. stay with the black fr's... Gonna be one sweet ride. I think Im gonna go the same route as you now, but with the chome. Just need to find someone to skinny out the fronts for me. Those 18x10 dish are goona look perfect on that ride.

THX 138

07-06-2005, 12:18 AM

kmcanally

07-06-2005, 03:59 AM

for 18's I'd do the SN95 (2000+) Roush wheels or 18" bullets or something. I don't like the tucked under look though. I'd stick with 17's unless flares are used to go bigger wheelwells on these old cars.

I personally do not care for the Roush wheels. Flares? No way...besides the body and paint on the car is complete. Right now I am looking for opinions on whether I should stick with the current Cobra R's or go with the black FR500's.

64Comet

07-06-2005, 05:33 AM

Black FFR's look great! Keep em and post some pics up!

Stangonline.com

07-06-2005, 06:16 AM

kmcanally

07-06-2005, 10:32 AM

So the 9inch front still hits the control arms?

Is there any way to determine where else there might be a clearance issue (other than the arms)? Like I mentioned before - I would LOVE to fit a wider tire up front. Most people end up settling on 245s, but I would like a little more meat :)

Yes it hits the upper ball joint...I was hoping the 18" would clear where the 17" did not but that was wishful thinking :rolleyes5
You could probably put the widest tire possible on an 8" wheel and not have any problems if the lips are rolled. With the steering at full lock there is more that 1" of clearance between the tire and frame rail. Also when I had the bodywork done I had a small pie shaped piece of material removed from the front lower corner of the wheel opening. This area tends to rub on these cars when at full lock.