Hi there!
I'm brand new to the forum, and have a clean 1988 T-bird Sport with 74k original miles. One of the first thing I plan to do is change the wheels and tires.
I'll definitely go with a 4 lug Mustang/Cobra wheel, but I want to be sure they'll fit before I buy. I've narrowed it down to the gunmetal 17x8 Cobra R or gunmetal 17x9 10th Anniversary Cobra wheel.
The 17x8 Cobra R's have a 5.09" backspace and +15mm offset, while the 17x9 10th Anniversary wheels have a 5.79" backspace and +20mm offset.
I just want to be able to bolt the wheels on and go. The car is in excellent shape, so I don't want to modify it if I don't need to.
Thanks in advance.
Pose
No idea on the offsets, but our cars shared rims with the mustang. I'm running 10 hole gt rims. i put some 275/60's out back. i like the way they look, but it barely scrubbs with all my tools in the trunk. I'm going to try some 275/50's next time, or maybe something in 255 size.
17x8 will fit up front. 17x9 you will probably need spacers in the front. Rear wouldn't be a big issue fit wise unless you have quad shocks. (the ones that go horizontal) This is just suggestions from what I've researched and to help you get a idea of what to search for.
Sounds good. Thanks for the pointers.
Also I think 87/88 front control arms different than 83-86. Make sure you keep that in mind. Not sure how but I am 99 percent sure.
87-88 Thunderbird/Cougar control arms are the same dimensionally as 94-04 Mustang control arms. 83-86 Thunderbird/Cougar control arms are the same dimensionally as 79-93 Mustangs.