Have any of you run the staggered 17"X8" & 17"X9" Cobra R replica wheels by
AFS? If so, what is your opinion of them?.
I am looking at a chrome set to buy & am curious if they are worth $400 or not.
Also what lug nuts need to be used on these since none come with the wheels?
Thanks for any help you can give me on this
Ron
I have tthe staggered deep and deeper version by OEWheels. Here's the nine inch version....
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Single-17x9-Silver-Cobra-R-Deep-Rivet-Wheel-4-Lug-Fits-V6-V8-Mustang-GT-79-93-/271314324649?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Wheels&hash=item3f2b980ca9&vxp=mtr
They are high quality, and look great on the Sport. They fit the car very well, and hold the tires I wanted (275 40 17 rear.....255 40 17 front). I haven't done business with AFS. Mine came with lug nuts and center caps.
My lug nuts look like these. They are solid, not just standard lugnuts with chrome caps on them....
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Gorilla-Chrome-Lug-Nuts-12mm-x-1-50-threads-Conical-Seat-60-Degree-Set-of-24-/221340268679?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3388e87887&vxp=mtr
(http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc205/Vinnietbird/1456632_770834209599541_1731769548_n.jpg) (http://s216.photobucket.com/user/Vinnietbird/media/1456632_770834209599541_1731769548_n.jpg.html)
I like the deeper versions. I think the lips on the wheels give them a slightly more substantial look.
Standard acorn nuts work with just about all the replica wheels. I'm with Vinnie on the brand of nuts to run as I have the Gorilla locking nuts on both of my cars. The Bird has the closed end nuts where the Coupe has the open style due to the 3" long wheel studs.
Darren
The beauty of factory wheels is I don't have to run locking lug nuts. No one is going to steal the Snowflakes off my Thunderbird ;).
You're right......they'd be more likely to steel the whole car!
(Vinnie, thanks for the reply. Have you had any rub problems with the 275s in the rear?)
(I got the Gorilla nuts, the locks, & the key with the tires)
(They would have to steal the whole car, since I can't get the factory locks off of the snowflakes on my white TC!)
********************************************************************************
I bought the Cobra Rs with two used Riken Raptor 245/45/17 tires & the Gorilla Nuts with locks & Key.
All for $425.00
Here they are after applying a coat of Gold Class wax:
(http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j430/ronelias/88%20Turbo%20Coupe/Cobrasamplugnutslocks_zps789db87e.jpg) (http://s1085.photobucket.com/user/ronelias/media/88%20Turbo%20Coupe/Cobrasamplugnutslocks_zps789db87e.jpg.html)
Ron
The 275 40 17's fit great in the rear. No issues at all. No quad shocks, though. I had to pull mine due to the width of the tires. I installed tubular control arms some time ago out back, and have had no issues with wheel hop at all.
I wonder what the largest 245/17s can be run with quadra-shocks on a lowered 88 TC without rubbing?
Ron
Toss on one of those wheels with the tire on it that you have and check it out. You may have plenty of room.
Thanks for the tip, I had already decided to do that to see how the 245/45s clear.
With that knowledge I can adjust to what size I think might be safe.
Ron
With the 9" wheel, I will only have about a 1/4" of clearance from the shock. It looks like I had better not go larger than 245/45s to be on the safe side.
I wonder how the same size tires will look when one the rears are mounted on 9" & the front are mounted on 8" wheels?
Ron
If it was me, I'd run them with the 1/4" and see if they show signs of rubbing under some hard cornering UNLESS that measurement is between the rim and the shock......rubber scuffs paint.....steel cuts the shock.
Love chrome Cobra R's. People rag on them because they are so popular and "played out", but there's a reason...they look GOOD. I kind of miss my silver Cobra R's, but like the 93 Cobra's on there now as well.
Yeah QUICKSHIFT, I guess I didn't make that clear.
When I mounted the 9" wheel it was below the shock, but I saw that a tire the same width would be a 1/4" from the shock.
Ron
I had to remove the quad shocks back in 2007 for the 275/50-15 drag radials....the next year I bought 17x9 cobra R...I ran 245 up front and 285 out back. ...some rubbing issues...I replaces the rear shocks...it seem to help. But most of my suspension is original.
Travis
I have a pair of brand new 1/4 inch spacers (aluminum) if you want them. I didn't need them. Just PM me your address and I'll make them yours. No charge.
When I measured the clearances on my 83 with the 17 X 9's and 275/40/17's on the rear I think that 305's with the right offset/backspacing would clear just fine. Might take a little inner fender massaging but nothing major. I know my buddy fit 295's under his '86 GT and the wheel wells on those cars are smaller than my Bird.
Darren
Thanks to Vinnie & the spacers that he shipped to me, the cobra R wheels are on the BlkBrd & have plenty of clearance.
(http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j430/ronelias/88%20Turbo%20Coupe/BirdwearingCobraRscropped_zpsa1835435.jpg) (http://s1085.photobucket.com/user/ronelias/media/88%20Turbo%20Coupe/BirdwearingCobraRscropped_zpsa1835435.jpg.html)
Ron
That looks great. What size tires on the back?
Very nice
They are 245/45s like the front for now, but I will be looking for a pair of larger tires when we get back from Spokane in mid-January. I like the way that the wheels look with the spacers setting them out at the rim of the wheel well.
Ron
I agree, they look great.
VERY pretty Thunderbird. The rims look good on her.