Please read : Need advice on wheels and tires...

Topic: Please read : Need advice on wheels and tires... (Read 2255 times) previous topic - next topic

Please read : Need advice on wheels and tires...

April 06, 2006, 12:06:09 AM

Hello everyone,

It is time for me to buy new wheels and tires. I finally got my car painted and the body work is done but the side wall of these tires are cracking and the tread is worn. They have been on this car for 6 years and I'm not sure how many miles I've put on them. The picture I have attached is a photo-shopped paint job - The weather has been nuts and I have not been able to take a picture of what it currently looks like but the photo-shopped image looks close and I'm thinkin' about taking some pictures of the car this weekend if the weather is nice - It snowed here today, so, you never know

First some back story: I don't have a lot of technical experience, well hell, I have none when it comes to cars. I've owned this car since I was 17 and I don't possess the knowledge or experience to do any engine work. I'd like to, but without some sort of help, I'm intimidated by it. Now the only work I have done to my car is body work and improving it's appearance - Turbo coupe hood, etc. I have not done the 5 lug conversion.

Okay so here is my problem : I'm on somewhat of a budget and I have a lot of questions. Information I read, both on forums, and sites dedicated to the tech specs on the Cougar, contradict each other which confuses a person like me.

What wheel size works on my car? I don't understand tire rub and I don'twant to invest in wheels and tires only to ruin the tire. From Eric's CoolCats.net, it lists the following specs:

4.25 bolt pattern. (4x108mm)
Backspacing between 4.5"-5.5"
Comfortably fit a 7" wide rim on any cougar
Between 7" and 8", there will be rubbing (Is this bad?)
8.5" widest rim you can fit without a spacer

My current set up is...

215/70R14 Daytona Radials and average American Racing Rims

Now, can anyone offer any advice on my current situation?

I appreciate the time you spent reading this and of course any help/comments that are suggested.

Cheers,

Rick

Please read : Need advice on wheels and tires...

Reply #1 – April 06, 2006, 11:30:07 AM

I have p195/74/14's on front, and 225/70(?)14r on back with no problems with either tire. I would imagine you can run larger sizes very easily without any problems.

Please read : Need advice on wheels and tires...

Reply #2 – April 06, 2006, 11:43:58 AM

I have recently purchased a set of Cobra R wheels that are 17x9 with 245/45/17 tires and they fit fine.

Please read : Need advice on wheels and tires...

Reply #3 – April 06, 2006, 02:28:32 PM

Quote from: 4mykid

I have recently purchased a set of Cobra R wheels that are 17x9 with 245/45/17 tires and they fit fine.

Is your car a Cougar? Everywhere I read tells me that 17x9 are just too wide and I would be cutting into the A-Arms. I just don't want to end up making such an investment only to find out that I either need to return the wheels and tires or make heavy modifications to the car. I don't want to run into this predicament.

Thanks for the comments so far.

Please read : Need advice on wheels and tires...

Reply #4 – April 06, 2006, 03:17:23 PM

I have 17x9 Cobra R's on my car with 245/45/17's and have no rubbing issues. However if cost is an issue going with 17'' wheels may not be the best choice because for some reason 17'' tires are more expensive. You could always go with a stock Ford wheel like Turbo Coupe wheels or a Mustang wheel. BTW nice looking Cougar.

Please read : Need advice on wheels and tires...

Reply #5 – April 06, 2006, 03:47:19 PM

Hello 50tbrd88,

Thanks for the compliment. Now are the wheel specs on the Thunderbird the same as the specs for my year of Cougar, which is an 88.' Because I like the 17x9 but wondering if I need to go with 17x8. Here was the auction I was looking at, no reserve but would compliment my car well...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/17-HYPER-MUSTANG-COBRA-R-WHEELS-RIMS-TIRES-CHROME_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ66483QQitemZ8053152068QQtcZphoto

Now these are 17x9 Wheels and tires are 255/40/17, will this work on my car? I'm in no rush and it looks to me that the seller has many of the same auctions lined up in the future. Would it be better to buy the wheels and tires separate?

Thanks for your reply, appreciate it.

Please read : Need advice on wheels and tires...

Reply #6 – April 06, 2006, 06:54:10 PM

I like those American Racing wheels. To answer the question, 245's are a nice tire size, but 255's might be a little too wide. Depending on the wheel, they may not rub, but cornering isnt going to be that great. Just for example, My car corners like its on rails, and I run a 195/65/15 on the front, and a 245/60/15 on the rear. i notice the rear end dragging a bit at low speed cornering, but they get Hella good traction on launches. I could just imagine how bad the steering would be with 255's all around....

Please read : Need advice on wheels and tires...

Reply #7 – April 06, 2006, 08:01:05 PM

Personally I wouldn't go any bigger than 17x8s and 235s in the front. It's a known combo for me that works. The largest in the rear I have run is 255s on 17x8s as well. You can run 17x9s but beware that you may encounter some rubbing on bumpy turns. Some have success with 17x9s and others do not.

Please read : Need advice on wheels and tires...

Reply #8 – April 06, 2006, 08:54:50 PM

Awesome responses ladiez and gentz...

Quote from: Birdman

I like those American Racing wheels.

I know I know. I like them too but right now they make my car look too hot roddish and it's no longer the look I'm going for. Plus my wheels are as old as my tires and the steel alloy is slowly losing it's shine.

I am more concerned with how the wheel size will affect steering than I am anything else. The people that have success with 17x9s, are they stock like my Cougar is?

Please read : Need advice on wheels and tires...

Reply #9 – April 06, 2006, 10:30:11 PM

Quote from: Birdman

I like those American Racing wheels.

Please read : Need advice on wheels and tires...

Reply #10 – April 06, 2006, 10:39:27 PM

This will be my first experience buying wheels and tires online and I just *want* the wheels and tires to work.

Please read : Need advice on wheels and tires...

Reply #11 – April 07, 2006, 03:54:14 PM

It also depends from manufactures clearances. I know some guys here running 17*9 rims all round without a problem, and these wheels looks awesome. My dad has 235 65 15 in the rear and 215 60 14 in the front and the car handling and cornering was excellent. I had 205 60 15 and is a nightmare (rubbing is bad, of course) but i`m using FWD rims, which i dont recommend for Fox cars. Stay away from focus or contour rims, they fit, but they rub. I guess the cobra rims are the best....

Please read : Need advice on wheels and tires...

Reply #12 – April 11, 2006, 04:08:49 PM

I'll be another one of those guys to say "Hey, I like your wheels!!".

Don't get rid of them, most guys are going to the Mustang wheels, and you have something that looks good, and are different.

If they look to "hot rod-ish", what exactly did you plan to buy?? :)

--Ed