17x8 wheels up front??

AdamInChains · Sep 27, 2007

I have a 65 coupe and i'm lookin to get some new wheels. The wheels that i want only come in 17x8 with 4.5 backspace. I'm pretty sure this will fit the rear no problems, but i see most people putting 17x7 up front in 65's. Will a 17x8 4.5 fit up front without rubbing/hitting anything?? I dont want to roll the fenders. I have 620 springs up front, and a neg wedge kit. Thanks!

dodgestang · Sep 27, 2007

Depends on tire choice and alignment spec.

valley82 · Sep 27, 2007

My 66 doesnot have the motor or trans. in it yet but without the springs in the tires clear the fenders when straight and when turned through the range of the suspension. 17x8 with 235/45/17 all around.
There is an article written by Mustangs Plus in one of the magazines, also I think it is on their web site as well about the 17/7 17/8 wheel debate.

sixtyfive · Sep 27, 2007

dodgestang said:
Depends on tire choice and alignment spec.

You got these questions down pat dont ya

project.65 · Sep 27, 2007

I have 17x8 with 4.75BS 225/45(front) & 245/45(rear)on all 4 corners, my fenders are not rolled or flared & have NO RUBBING AT ALL! . Ill take some pictures today and post them up in a little while. I also have -1/2 degree chamber.

dodgestang · Sep 27, 2007

sixtyfive said:
You got these questions down pat dont ya

Darn right
I do try to help...really I do...

rc4mike · Sep 27, 2007

17x8

i have 17x7 up front with 245/40 tires. 620 coils with shelby drop. Mine is pretty close to fender. Not sure i could go to 8 wide w/o rolling.

mike

project.65 · Sep 27, 2007

Sorry, I didn't get a chance to take some pics. today, but here are a few I dug up from my file...

View attachment 360156

I plan to do the shelbydrop, which will drop my front my front end ~1/2". I will then need to roll or cut my fender lip to stay away from rubbing.

sixtyfive · Sep 27, 2007

project.65 said:
Sorry, I didn't get a chance to take some pics. today, but here are a few I dug up from my file...

I plan to do the shelbydrop, which will drop my front my front end ~1/2". I will then need to roll or cut my fender lip to stay away from rubbing.

If i am not mistaken, doesn't the shelby drop actually help your tires clear the fender lip due to the tire tilting in slightly after it is peformed?

project.65 · Sep 28, 2007

Oops, totally forgot about that. Hopefully I wont have to roll them after all

ShAkE N BaKe!! · Sep 28, 2007

project.65: nice ride

gonzothegreat · Sep 28, 2007

project.65, That's a very nice ride

180 Out · Sep 28, 2007

I vote no. That 4.5" backspace is not enough. I think 4.75 is the minimum. I have 17 x 8's on a '65 with 5.0" BS. I had to use 7/32" spacers to clear the upper ball joints, and the fenders were already rolled.

I don't disagree with Dodgestang's post, that some models of rim and tire, with sufficient negative camber, can fit without rolling the fenders. But unless your seller is willing to accept returns if it doesn't work out, I would not take the chance without knowing of a specific '65-'66 running your specific combo.

dodgestang · Sep 28, 2007

180 Out said:
I vote no. That 4.5" backspace is not enough. I think 4.75 is the minimum. I have 17 x 8's on a '65 with 5.0" BS. I had to use 7/32" spacers to clear the upper ball joints, and the fenders were already rolled.

8/32 = 1/4 (or .25) so 5.0 become 4.75 backspacing. So 7/32 (or .21) becomes 4.79 backspacing.

16x8 4.5 bs work with 225 tires so I would expect a 17x8 with 4.5 to also work with a 225 tire as long as the alignment is correct, shelby drop will help keep it from rubbing since the tire then tips in on curves instead of out (again assuming you have the correct alignment)

AdamInChains · Sep 28, 2007

Thanks for all the responses! I'm still kinda iffy on ordering wheels without knowing 100% forsure. The ones i'm lookin at are the American Racing Torq Thrust M's, does anyone have any personal experience with these?? Thanks!

<img src="http://asp.americanracing.com/dealerline/blackimages/mega/m605MS.jpg">

bentley429 · Oct 10, 2007

I know this is abit off topic but is 4.5 the exact bsing needed? I would really love to put black fr500's on my project car but dont know if they would fit.

Grabber70Mach · Oct 10, 2007

bentley429 said:
I know this is abit off topic but is 4.5 the exact bsing needed? I would really love to put black fr500's on my project car but dont know if they would fit.

Don't know if this will help you but it enables you to use SN95 Wheels.

http://www.vintagevenom.com/mustang-full-disc-brake-conversion-kit.htm

red65 · Oct 10, 2007

AdamInChains said:
Thanks for all the responses! I'm still kinda iffy on ordering wheels without knowing 100% forsure. The ones i'm lookin at are the American Racing Torq Thrust M's, does anyone have any personal experience with these?? Thanks!

I have American Racing Torq-Thrust II on my '65. I tried 17x8 with 4.75"BS and had interference with the upper control arm. I have Global West UCA's, so it could be an interference issue that's particular to the suspension. I wound up with 17x7 up front and 235/45R17 tires (I used the 17x8 4.75BS on the back without any issues).

For what it's worth, I ordered the wheels through a local tire dealer, and had them try the fit before mounting the tire. They were able to exchange the wrong wheels for the right ones with no fuss on my part. Might be worth thinking about.

rusty428cj · Oct 10, 2007

I painted this for a customer and we tried my wheels and tires. 245 x 45 x 17 on 8" rims with 4 1/4" offset. I rolled the fenders and worked on the lower front edge for more clearance. There was 1/8" clearance between the lower front fender edge while turning. He went with 8 " 4 1/2" correction 4 3/4" offset and 225 tires (I believe). It was painted Viper Red using Southern Polyurethanes (SPI) primers, base and clear.

It will sit lower when he is finished and we did not have the latch for the deck lid.

geostang351 · Oct 10, 2007

Funny how you anwered questions before they were asked.

17x8 wheels up front??

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