Bullitt wheels on my 1988 LX

[DucatiRdr]

I saw a pic of an LX with Bullitt wheels and fell in love. My blood is pumping to get those wheels installed but I am still at the early stages of the project, meaning my 18,000 original mile car still has the 4 lug OEM rotors and axles.

I found this: http://www.latemodelrestoration.com/item/LRS-4234SN-K from Late Model Resto.

So Cobra 13" front brakes, SN95 spindles and OEM length rear axles. Assuming I install a reasonably sized tire (recommendations??) will I need anything else? Will the wheels bolt-on? Will I need to roll my fenders? Anything else I need to know? Will any year Bullitt wheel fit?

I did price out the kit contents at rockauto.com and was able to save some money, but I still had to find spindles. Given that the New England junk yards have the cars subject to snow and rain for a good chunk of the year I don't know if junk yard parts are reliable. Thoughts?

Feel free to post your Bullitt wheel pics in this thread!

 

[Ozz]

I'd recommend SN95 rear axles, as they'll bring the rear wheels out 3/4" and make them flush w/the wheel wells. A much better look than the sunken-in look of the Fox-length axles. I'd trust spindles from the NE if you can find them - they'll be fine. You might have a tough time finding them though, and you'd probably be better off just finding some for sale on SN or Corral classifieds, ebay, etc. The deals are out there, I think I got a pair for $150 w/hubs and I didn't have to call 20 junk yards, visit any, or pull any parts myself.

As to your other question, I have 17x8 '99 Cobra rims on my car with 235/45 tires on them.

 

[Adams91LX]

I'd recommend SN95 rear axles, as they'll bring the rear wheels out 3/4" and make them flush w/the wheel wells. A much better look than the sunken-in look of the Fox-length axles. I'd trust spindles from the NE if you can find them - they'll be fine. You might have a tough time finding them though, and you'd probably be better off just finding some for sale on SN or Corral classifieds, ebay, etc. The deals are out there, I think I got a pair for $150 w/hubs and I didn't have to call 20 junk yards, visit any, or pull any parts myself.

As to your other question, I have 17x8 '99 Cobra rims on my car with 235/45 tires on them.

I have SN95 length axles... a 16x8 15mm offset 245/50-16, steeda sport springs, rolled fender lips all around... and they rub the fender lip... depends on the offset/backspacing of the wheel... I've seen good results with S197 wheels in back, and SN95 up front... it depends on the setup tho.

 

[Ozz]

Aren't all the 8" SN95 rims made w/the same backspacing? I thought that was the case...

 

[tims 86]

i have 99-04 bullitts and they fit great, 17x9 in rear and 17x8 in front. i just got some 94-95 spindles for 30 a piece and got timken replacement hubs from rockauto.

 

[Mustang5L5]

Aren't all the 8" SN95 rims made w/the same backspacing? I thought that was the case...

The 17x8 wheels are all the same.


I put bullitt wheels on my '88. Did it with SN95 cobra brakes/axle out back. Fit perfect. If you only intend on running 17x8 Sn95 wheels ever, i recommend the Sn95 lenght axles.

I also run 235/45/17 tires.

I have pics of them on my black LX. Unfortunately i only have 3. Finding a mint single bullitt wheel (no curbing) is harder than you think. I'm running 1997 Cobra wheels now, but have a set of 2004 Gt Premium chrome rims i'll be putting on (same as polished 99/01 Cobra wheels)

 

[Ozz]

The 17x8 wheels are all the same.

Yea, that's what I meant. I wasn't even taking into consideration the 16" or 15" wheels. Don't see too many people putting those on

 

[deftsound]

bullit wheels are the ****! As soon as i get off this boat in 3 weeks im doing a 5 lug conversion and a set of factory bullits....

 

[DucatiRdr]

So all Bullitt 17" wheels have the same offset or do I have to watch out for that?

My 1988 has been lowered with C springs, has Konis all around, poly bushings but otherwise stock. Does this impact rear axle length selection?

 

[Mustang5L5]

So all Bullitt 17" wheels have the same offset or do I have to watch out for that?

My 1988 has been lowered with C springs, has Konis all around, poly bushings but otherwise stock. Does this impact rear axle length selection?

All factory bullitts have the same offset. When you start getting into the aftermarket 9" and 10.5" wheels...different story. But all OEM factory 17x8 wheels are the same.


My car has C springs. No issue with Sn95 lenght axles in the rear. You should roll the fender lips. I haven't done this yet but have not had a problem with it. C springs ride high out back anyway

 

[DucatiRdr]

Mike,

So no rubbing in the back with the SN95 axles and C-springs? I generally don't put anyone in the back except my 2 kids under 6 (never saw that happening when I bought this thing back in 1988!), but they are getting bigger every day.

Any pics of the rear wheel situation on your LX?

 

[Mustang5L5]

No no rubbing, but i highly recommend rolling. I don't put anyone in the back seat and tend to ride "light" so i can't comment on how some passengers or cargo would change things up. Hell, my car hasn't had a passenger in it since 2002.

I have pics of rear..but i'll have to post later tonight after work.

 

[Shaolin Crane]

another for SN axle in the rear, i run 275 hoosier and i had minor rubbing issues, but i have a completely different rim setup

 

[DucatiRdr]

To clarify, when you refer to the SN95 axle, do you mean the whole solid rear or just the SN95 length axle shafts?

If the whole rear end, will any disc brake SN95 rear work?

 

[Shaolin Crane]

you'll want a 94-95 complete housing

 

[Mustang5L5]

you can use a 94-98 complete housing. 94-95 just has the correct brake lines. 96-98 will require you to add the lines.

The axle housing is the same from 1986-1998 on the V8s. So if your rear end has just been refreshed and has gears and all that...just swap the brakes in. Swapping in SN95 brakes into a fox rear just makes it identical to the 94-98 rear.

All 94-04 rear disks are the same, but you can only use 94-98 axle shafts. In 1999 ford widened the housing, and made the axles longer to compensate. You can use the brakes, but if you bolt them to a 86-98 housing, you need to use the 94-98 shafts.

There are ways to modify the SN95 rear setup to retain fox width if you choose to run 9" or wider rear aftermarket bullitt wheels.

Definitely research this heavily before buying parts. Decide what wheels you want to run. If you are fine with 17x8 front and rear, just go with the OEM Sn95 parts unmodified.

 

[DucatiRdr]

I definitely only want to do this once. I lust for the Bullitt style torque thrust wheels; gimme the anthracite with polished lip, Doc.

For now I was going to go with SN95 spindles and 13" brakes/2 piston calipers. Except for the spindles I can duplicate all of this stuff relatively cheaply through Rockauto.

The rear is the big question. Once I get the wheels I guess I'm settled. The stock rear track is fine with me as long as it's fine with the wheels. I don't want any rubbing if I can help it and prefer not to roll the rear fenders. As long as the front and rear wheel widths are the same I'm fine with that.

For now, I'm going to stick with drums out back, then upgrade to rear discs some time in the future (unless I can find a complete kit at a reasonable price). For $1,400 it might be hard to beat the convenience and completeness of the 50Resto kit...as long as the OEM axle length doesn't bury the wheels in the wheel wells.

 

[Shaolin Crane]

i did my brakes for $600

 

[Mustang5L5]

Around 1000 for me to do 4-wheel cobra disk...with some extras like stainless lines front and rear, etc.



Anyway, here are some pics.

this is with FOX lenght axles and 17x8's. They aren't bullets wheels, but they have the same dimensions. This is with rear drums. Forgive the dirtyness...this is an OLD pic..prob 5-7 years old. It's one of the better to show just how tucked the wheels look. This is also with the SVO 5-lug rotors...even the fronts look tucked.

This is with SN95 cobra front and rear disks and SN95 width axles. I have the rear jacked high with my adjustable arms, but i've brought it down since the pics. Clears fine unrolled, but i recommend rolling the rear fenders..it's close. This is how the car looks today (fortunately). I have chrome 01 style cobra wheels going on soon.

 

[Shaolin Crane]

damn Mike your car looked like ****