I'm thinking about buying a set of 17x9 and 17x10.5 wheels for my '84. Before I "Buy It Now" I want to know from the pros if running a 9" front wheel is even possible on these.
The specs are:
"SIZE AND SPECIFICATIONS: The front wheels are 17x9 with a 5.95" backspace(+24mm offset) and the rear are 17x10.5 with a +27mm offset. The lug pattern is 5x4.5 (114.3mm)."
I assume the 10.5s will work fine in the rear, when I get them I'll measure to see if I need to run a Mustang or Tbird width rear end.
In the front I'm running stock Thunderbird control arms and '94-95 SN95 GT brakes. I think I'll have clearance issues on the inside (control arm contact) when turning. But then again the Fox bodies have a horrible turn radius so maybe it's not an issue? Just don't want them sticking out of the fenders and don't want them rubbing steering components on the inside.
FYI - these are the wheels. $450 shipped! Yes the PS is way too low, that's how I like it. Thanks in advance.
(http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a274/46Tbird/daddywant.jpg)
I am. I could probably bring the car over tonight if you're gonna be home... But, thinking about it, I've got a mustang k-member and stang arms on it so it might not be applicable.
Hey man, door's always open! I thought you were running a Griggs coilover up front, or else I would have just asked ya. ;)
Stop by if you want. I went home at lunch today and the power was out; when I talked to TXU, it was because of downed power lines in the area. So maybe the beer won't be cold but we can BS anyway!
You might have a few little issues with clearance, but it shouldn't be that big of a deal.
I have 9" wheels on the front of mine and I run 245 tires on the front. I'm not sure I could get away with anything bigger. (or wouldn't want to) I use 99+ brakes/spindles on the front of mine, which isn't the best choice because it moves the wheel out a bit. Everything else is stock as far as the suspension goes.
On that note, I have heard wheel hitting control arm on a full lock before :( It sure doesn't sound pretty. There are other times I can go full lock and not get it.
Future plan would be 94-95 spindles with tubular control arms. That would fix my bumpsteer problem and probably solve the clearance issues.
Thanks, David.
Any idea what offset the '03 Cobra wheels are?
Unfortunately, having '94-95 spindles could make the rubbing problem worse for me on the control arm. Maybe I can clearance them a little like they do on GM trucks. I'll take a look tonight and see if that can be done without completely destroying the integrity of the control arm.
By "mustang k-member" I meant "designed for a mustang". It's actually all Maximum Motorsport stuff.
I've gotta torque down my heads, get to a good stopping point for the night and clean up so tonight's probably a wash anyway. I could probably come by tomorrow (hopefully in daylight) though if you're gonna be around. I could bring those twin turbo headers too if you want to check 'em out.
Wait you have an '84 right? I believe you should have the same control arms as a fox Mustang. I think only the 87-88s got the longer ones. You *might* be ok.
Mine are close with 245's on 8" wide wheels on the 83. It has the shorter front arms(like your 84) and 94-95 spindles.
Going as low as you like to go and that wide is probably going to cause you problems.
With the car that low I wonder if the wheels will even fit in the front without rubbing the fender.
18x9s
http://foxtbirdcougarforums.com/showpost.php?p=109171&postcount=18
AFS replicas are +26mm offset w/ 6.11 backspace. I have OEM's but I'm betting they're the same. I couldn't tell you if those specs are accurate or not.
Yes the older foxes have the shorter control arms, but if you do go as low as you're showing there, you'll be rubbing everything.
I've also seen people notch the control arm, but I'm not that brave :grinno:
Well, it won't
really be quite that low. I think that would put my pan around 3-4" off the ground. I'll want at least 5-6" of clearance. Also, the inner fenders are history and I assume the fender openings will get a slight massage too.
Well, if it doesn't fit worth a darn, I can always just sell the stuff that doesn't work and start over again. :) Playing with cheap cars is FUN.
Scott, just let me know man. And I do want to check out the headers you have!
BTW, who are you getting these wheel from?
I have 17x9's with 245 rubbers up front. . . mines an 87/88 and they rub rub rub, so i had to hammer in the lip around the fender where it rubs on the inside. But now it seems to only rub over larger bumps at high speeds.
This is the wheel ad that I got the images from.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Mustang-Bullitt-wheels-17x9-17x10-5-Bullet-rims_W0QQitemZ290050522140QQihZ019QQcategoryZ43957QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
This is ALL the seller's ads.
http://motors.search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZwheelindex
Pick your design, color, and size.. the Buy It Now isn't a bad deal, you get lugs-locks-valves for another $30. You can pretty much get 17s-20s from them, I prefer the look of 17s myself.
Very inexpensive and while all the ads don't state it, all of these wheels are DOT legal.
I'm running 255/40/17s on 17x9s. had to put spacers on both sides to keep from rubbing the struts with the wheel, tire never touched. Also had the same wheels on a 88TC, the tireshiznit the fenders at the top of the wheelwells going over large bumps in that car.
Well I hope they fit, because they're gonna be here next week. :D
I must ask why everyone wants 9" wide wheels? Isn't that just more weight when a 245 will easily fit on a 8" or even 7" wide wheel? I know it affects the width of the tire some when the wheel is wider but it's minimal.
so you can put a 275 on the front :cool:
So the road can pull you all over the place and you can overwork the power steering as well? It's really not the way to go other than looking cool which is basically being a ricer. Unless any of you are doing this on a purpose built road racer...
Well sir, some people want 275s in the rear. And those who still want to rotate their tires will obviously need to run 275s in the front. Futhermore it is known that the power steering in Fox cars is already overpowered. I find it hard to believe that 275 tires would "overwork" it. Heck, with 245s and C/C Plates (read - better contact patch) I noticed the difference but I can still turn the steering wheel with ease while idling. And if you into more than just straight line acceleration, why not? Purpose built road racer or not. Traction is traction. And lastly, generally when converting to 5-lug, most aftermarket wheels are catered to SN-95s which can run 9-inch wide wheels in the front with ease. Personally I wouldn't run 17x9s in the front of my car, 245s are on the verge of rubbing right now with my 17x8s, but if I could get away with it I would.
I guess we're all ricers now. =/
Because they don't offer an 8" wheel. :rolleyes: Trust me, I asked.
Hard to beat $110/wheel, shipped to your door, for nice looking pieces.
(http://www.wheelreplica.com/ebay/45471653A1.JPG)
As for overworking the power steering, I can live with burning up a $10 rack and a $15 power steering pump every eight years. Doesn't even bother me in the least. And alignment settings can and will keep your tires from pulling at every rut in the road.
FYI - a 245 tire is too wide for a 7" wheel, even though it will fit. The tire will bulge on the sides and in the middle. Under hard cornering it will roll over badly. And to think I at one time ran 255s on my old 16x7 ponys. What was I thinking?
Oh well, I'm about to run 315s on these 10.5" wheels, I must be crazy. LOL @ ricer. I guess you're right though. It will be too low, with tires too wide, and make too much noise. I think I can live with your opinion of me. :)
Sounds perfect...
It is missing one thing though... The smell of unburned fuel dripping from the tail pipes, lol! Now that's old school!
They came in last night at 7:30. I went to a local wheel shop that stays open till 8. :D
They look awesome. :D Especially with the 315s. :eek: :D
They're on my Ranger right now, they look pretty ridiculous on it - too low profile. Oh well. :D I'll get them on the Tbird over the next few days if I can get away from the family a little. I'll post some pictures.
:D Can you tell I'm stoked? :D
id like to see pics of how the rears fit on the ranger
Sure. I just walked out there and took these. Let me know if you need to see it from another angle.
Last uns.
Those are sweet. They will look awesome on your white Bird. :grinno:
Those would look good on my car!
looks awesome, wonder how the later wheel well area compares to the older box body
I used to have an '85 and I'm pretty sure the wheelhouses were at least as big as on my '99.
Probably. But you'll have to buy them to find out. :D
I'm 1/4 done with putting them on, lmao. I got a set of Eibach springs for the '94-04 Mustang convertible (from a suggestion here) and the front isn't low enough for my taste. But it looks okay I guess. However - it is RUB CITY. lmao. I'll fix it. I'm already running the '94-95 brakes with the stock (short) control arms so they're in as much as I can get them in with the suspension. So there will be some bodywork persuasion necessary with the fender lips. No biggie.
I guess caster/camber plates could help as well if I tip the tire in about 5 degrees. :pbb:
Sorry for the py phone pic, it's all I had when I left for work this morning.
Got the rears done yet? :D
I got the feeling they are going to rub. I have 17x8s with 1-inch spacers and 245s in the rear and they rub on bumps. I am going to have to roll my rear fenders here soon.
If you go with the cheaper wheels then you don't have a lot of choice I guess. And I guess you guys are all ricers, but remember you confirmed that fact :P. And has anyone considered the weight of those wheels as well? I mean I guess for these all being street cars you're not too concerned, but most of those wheels, especially that wide, weigh well in excess of 20 lbs, 95 Style Cobra wheels are 26 lbs I think, that's 3 lbs more than stock TC snowflakes and it's all unsprung weight as well as rotational. I bet those Bullitt wheels aren't too light either, but I don't know, anyone have a weight on them?
I just feel weight is overlooked too much, and so is the width issue. Bigger is not always better IMO(that's what she said!), but obviously no one agrees so that's all I shall say.
hey, go toss your 3500lbs car around on a track for a bit and let me know if you want more front grip than some 245's can give ya.
i know the sn95 cars like more front grip. i can only imagine what this bird will do once i get it out there.
if its jus street car, and its jus for looks(they do look good), then no one cares about weight anyhow like you said. so...i guess i dont get your objection.
Shipping weight was 84lbs with all four wheels, lugs, locks, and valves.
I didn't weigh them, but I think the Sumitomo 315/35s weighed less than the 255/40 Yokohomas. :confused:
Bigger isn't always better, but when you have a suspension as poorly designed as the Fox chassis, you better put some tire under it to mask the deficiencies. But obviously no one agrees so that's all I shall say. ;)
BTW - they're on it and they look pretty good IMO. :D Go to the Members' Rides forum and check it out.
*impatiently taps foot*
I put some nice tires on my TC, and found more downfalls with the suspension.
Here is mine with 17x9's all the way around. My previous cars have all been fat/skinny combos and I was looking for something different.
Jim
(http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a242/thundr306/87%20turbo%20coupe/DSC01944.jpg)
so what size is that on your ranger 46tbird? all i got is its a 315 on a 9" wheel. it dosnt look like it bulges at all on the sides... infact, it looks like a perfect fit. i plan on working some stuff out getting 275s all around, or bigger on the back, but now im confused, i expected to see bulg out alot more.
his rears are 10.5's
fronts are 17x9 with 255/40-17s
rears are 17x10.5 with 315/35-17s
hope that helps
ahh ok, i assumed it was a 9" wheel on the back also
I got 17x9 front to back with 255 40 17 up front and 275 40 17 I had to use spacers up front to cler the shock the rear is fine
Hello I have an 88 turbo coupe I have the same wheels that you have chosen. What front and rear sizes did you select and did you have any rubbing issues at all? I keep going round and round with what size to select i would appreciate any input you have email me if you would at ewalsh@twcny.rr.com thank you so much .
Tire sizes