18x7, 5.5" BS : wheels fit?

66Couper · Jul 6, 2010

Hey all,
I'm new to this forum-- used to be at FomocoClassicMustangForum. After some browsing seems this place has folks who are more... err, how should I say? ... Modern.

I recently bought a set of 18X7" wheels that aren't made for Mustangs.
They have 1.5" offset and 5.5" BS.
EDIT: ACTUALLY, THEY DON'T STICK OUT, NOT SURE WHAT GAVE ME THAT IDEA. SRY FOR CONFUSION

1) Will these fit without rolling the fenders or other serious mods?
2) What tire sizes can I run - low profile?

tx65coupe · Jul 7, 2010

From your avatar, I'm assuming your car is a 65-66. These charts should help you. I doubt the wheels you have will work, if they stick out too far already. There is really no way to rectify that problem. Usually people have to run spacers with the more modern wheels. I would recommend not going bigger than a 17 inch wheel. Anything larger doesn't fit the car very well. It also looks extremely goofy, because its disproportional to the car and the small wheel wells.

Mustang Wheel and Tire Size

http://www.dodgestang.com/Tire Fitment Guide 65-6.pdf

rebel65 · Jul 7, 2010

the 17" wheel fits better than a 16" wheel on the backspace that the wheel likes the most. so i would disagree with that. but then again i don't think 17's look silly, they look silly if you're going for stock look, but if not, with the shelby drop 1" drop springs 17's with some slightly fat rubber looks reeeeally nice.

but to the OP i think with a 7" wide tire you would want closer to a 4" bs than a 5.5

my 16x8's are 4.5" bs wish i had 4.75" but :\
so to have the same offset i would say 7" = 3.5 backspace. might have to roll fenders though.

edit:
but at the same time, i would't get 18's and not get fatter rubber. if i wasn't going to increase performance while buying new rims i just wouldn't do it. ( 17's are my personal limit soooo sweet looking )

tx65coupe · Jul 7, 2010

I think that 15 inch and 16 inch are the best sizes for out cars. I don't think that 17s fit better than 16s. I see it the other way around. Anyway, I never said that 17s were bad though. I think that 18s do not belong on a classic Mustang. Thats my two cents.

66Couper · Jul 7, 2010

tx65coupe said:
I think that 15 inch and 16 inch are the best sizes for out cars. I don't think that 17s fit better than 16s. I see it the other way around. Anyway, I never said that 17s were bad though. I think that 18s do not belong on a classic Mustang. Thats my two cents.

I agree with you there. Although I've been riding on the original 14" wheels/hubcaps for a few years now and decided was time for a change. I bought these wheels because they were inexpensive on Craigslist. If I had the money and the option, I would have bought 17" or less.

Alas, this is where I am now. I get the feeling the large backspace will probably interfere with the front suspension? I'll check that this week.

Thanks guys

tx65coupe · Jul 8, 2010

Since those wheels stick out too far, I would put them on craigslist and list them as for sale or trade for wheels that will fit your car.

Wildbill3 · Jul 8, 2010

Hey 66couper put up a pic of your wheels I would like to see them I just got my 18x10's Bullets for the back,but nothings stock about this car!

66Couper · Jul 8, 2010

Hey guys I checked out the fitting and I need 1" spacers to clear the upper and lower control arms.
I've heard negative things about spacers, but I don't ever race or take tight turns in the Mustang so I think if I drive safely I may be able to avoid long term damage of the bearings, bushings, etc.
What are your thoughts there?

Thanks for all the help so far. I'll post pictures when I can, hopefully soon.

Those 18x10 sound sweet. Any pics of the car? ?

tx65coupe · Jul 8, 2010

I thought that they already stuck out too far. If you use spacers it will be even worse. By the way I do not like the idea of usings spacers for many reasons.

Another thing to note would be the fact that running really wide tires on the front of the car stresses the shock towers and other front end componenents. I have seen several where people talk about cracked shock towers from running wide front tires especially when the wheels offset is incorrect and makes them stick out farher. This may also make the car handle poorly.

Does your car have power steering? If it does not it will be really hard to steer also.

Wildbill3 · Jul 8, 2010

I used Billet adapters (that I paid a hefty price for) on the Daytona with alot of sucsess from Eibach I think they were 2 1/2 inches very nice HD peices.I would be carefull with spacers.I also herd about the cracks in the towers from wheels with to much offset.But nearly all the offset on these wheels are on the inside thats a different animal alltogether.What will the total positive offset be with the adapter+ the outside wheel lip.I think when we order the 17s for the front im staying at about 3 or 3.5... thers so much stuff to run into on the front thers alot to be worked out . Im going with a coilover that ataches to a Rollbar running through the shock tower so the springs not in the same location to be hit by a tire wheel combo.

66Couper · Jul 9, 2010

We're looking at about 2.5" offset with the adapters.
Here are some pics before and after I painted them. Yes they are risky looking- but I'm willing to take that risk. It could either look really bad-a$$ or just really bad, period.

tx65coupe · Jul 9, 2010

The picture didn't work.

Bitter · Jul 10, 2010

I went with 17" with 1-1/2" spacers. They look fine but, in hindsight, I wish I had gone with 16". My guess is you're going to need to roll your fenders with those wheels.

latamud · Jul 10, 2010

I think everyone is getting hung up on the 18" part. They are 7" wide, and we can fit an 8" wheel under the front and rear without problems using 4.75 bs. If you use a 0.75" spacer the inner side of the tire will be the same distance away as if you had 4.75 bs. But since you have a 7" wide wheels the outer sidewall will be 1" more tucked within the wheel well as compared to an 8" wheel. You could run a 225/45-18 tire which would be comparable to a 225/45-17.

66Couper · Jul 10, 2010

Sorry about that.

Try this link instead After Paint on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Also, the wheels don't stick out at all I'm not sure what gave me that idea in the first place.

THanks all

latamud · Jul 10, 2010

I think they'll look good on the car with the right tires and stance. 10 cans of paint for 4 wheels? I can paint my car with around 10 cans.

66Couper · Jul 10, 2010

latamud said:
I think they'll look good on the car with the right tires and stance. 10 cans of paint for 4 wheels? I can paint my car with around 10 cans.

Thanks
Haha, I wanted to make sure to get the job done right, plus more layers help hide scratch marks. In all, it was 4 cans of primer, 2 cans of white, then 4 cans of black. All high heat engine paint for when the brakes heat up. I wanted to leave it 'flat' but had a friend clear coat it so it won't scratch as easily.

Wildbill3 · Jul 11, 2010

Those do look nice .

latamud · Jul 11, 2010

I have a set of Bullets I'm going to put on my 66 once it's done. 18x10 rears, 17x9 fronts.

tx65coupe · Jul 12, 2010

Dang, how much money did you spend on spray paint?

Since they don't stick out, you should be ok with the correct spacers. Depending on tire size, they may still rub.

I have to say that I would not let those wheels near my car, no offense.

18x7, 5.5" BS : wheels fit?

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