I recently bought a 1990 foxbody mustang from a guy as a surprise for my boyfriend and I wanted to change/update the rims and tires, problem is, though the wheels look the same, all the tires are different. I know nothing about wheels/tires though I'm learning, what would be the best size/type of tire and
wheels for this car?
1990 Foxbody Mustang Gt Tires And Wheels
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Shakerhood
20+ Year Stangneter 
Ok thanks! So if I wanted a thinner looking tire I would change the middle number to like say 245/40/17?
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Alright thanks! Sounds good. So the rim/wheel size I would need would be 17" rims?? 17x8 or 17x9? Or something smaller I'm not sure.
mikestang63
SN Certified Technician
Run the same width rim so that he can rotate the tires front to back to extend the life of the tires. I would go with a 17 x 9. Check with the wheel manufacturer/tire vendor for the poper backspacing and offset. Offset is essentially the distance between the center of the inside of the wheel and the centerline. The backspacing is the distance between the center of the back of the wheel and the flange. You want the correct offset an backspacing so that you don't hit any steering or suspension components. Most of the companies like American Muscle, Late Model Restoration, Tire Rack have tech support that have done this 1000's of times and can help you.
If you do have some rubbing when making complete turns, any auto parts stores sell "rack limiters" a very inexpensive plastic piece that takes 10 minutes to install which will limit the amount you can turn the wheel so the inner portion of the wheel doesn't rub against your suspension.
If you do have some rubbing when making complete turns, any auto parts stores sell "rack limiters" a very inexpensive plastic piece that takes 10 minutes to install which will limit the amount you can turn the wheel so the inner portion of the wheel doesn't rub against your suspension.
I was asking what size rims I had now, and/or wht is the size I need on the car so that it won't rub. I am getting new tires bc the ones that came on the car (shown above) are all different sizes so I'm going to get 245/45/17. But I also wanted new rims, I'm not sure what style at the moment just need the size.
Thanks I appreciate it! Very detailed to where I can understand and comprehend.
mikestang63
SN Certified Technician
You are very welcome. Your boyfirend is very lucky. The only thing my ex ever bought me for my Mustangs was a brick.
Post up pics of entire car. If lowered, you might want to run a slightly narrower tire. 235/45/17
Pre-91 cars have smaller front fenders so there is sometimes clearance issues. If stock height, stick with 245/45/17.
Those are 99-04 mustang GT wheels. 17x8
I'm surprised nobody has mentioned it, but depending on how the car has been converted to 5-lug might dictate what wheels you run as not all fit correct. For example, with the rims on the car and a specific 5-lug conversion, you wouldn't be able to put the center caps on. I'm guessing since one isn't on in the pic, that is the case.
Btw, lucky guy. Hope he reciprocates that awesome gift.
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Pre-91 cars have smaller front fenders so there is sometimes clearance issues. If stock height, stick with 245/45/17.
Those are 99-04 mustang GT wheels. 17x8
I'm surprised nobody has mentioned it, but depending on how the car has been converted to 5-lug might dictate what wheels you run as not all fit correct. For example, with the rims on the car and a specific 5-lug conversion, you wouldn't be able to put the center caps on. I'm guessing since one isn't on in the pic, that is the case.
Btw, lucky guy. Hope he reciprocates that awesome gift.
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The front kinda looks a tad bit lower in person but seeing as how there are all different size tires on it I can't tell. But all center caps fit correctly.
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Shakerhood
20+ Year Stangneter
The center caps on that style wheel will fit fine no matter how the 5 lug conversion was done, if you were wanting different style wheels you could end up with a center cap issue. You can pop the center cap off one of the front wheels and look for a bearing cap snout sticking out, if you have that then you will be limited on wheel choices.
Disagree. Have seen pics of guys cutting circles out of the center cap to let the dust cap of the 5-lug conversion rotors poke through. The are concaved in.
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What they are saying is, on the front wheels, the year spindle used on the swap may dictate front rim selection. If you turned the wheel all the way left then right and took pictures of the spindle we could most likely tell you. The spindle is the piece the wheel and brake mounts to the body
You may also have a 5 lug rotor which just replaces the brake rotor with 5 lug vs 4 lug. it is easy to identify as the brake rotor is both the brake ring and hub, where as the newer ones is the brak ring but not the central hub
rotor has no hub its part of the spindle, see pics below.
No spindle swap just 5 lug conversion rotors below
Rotor does not have "hub" in the 94+ spindle scenario
You may also have a 5 lug rotor which just replaces the brake rotor with 5 lug vs 4 lug. it is easy to identify as the brake rotor is both the brake ring and hub, where as the newer ones is the brak ring but not the central hub
rotor has no hub its part of the spindle, see pics below.
No spindle swap just 5 lug conversion rotors below
Rotor does not have "hub" in the 94+ spindle scenario
Shakerhood
20+ Year Stangneter
This wheel
Pretty confident there are center cap issues when using the Mark 7 style 5-lug rotors. Lemme see if I can find the pic I was citing.
Thanks for your very detailed answer I appreciate all the help because he has a passion for this so I'm just trying to understand a little more about it! Its hard for me to tell with the wheels on and because I'm guessing these have been on so long the look rusty. So it may be best to change that too while I'm at it???? I'm not sure but these are the best pics I can get hopefully you may be able to tell?What they are saying is, on the front wheels, the year spindle used on the swap may dictate front rim selection. If you turned the wheel all the way left then right and took pictures of the spindle we could most likely tell you. The spindle is the piece the wheel and brake mounts to the body
You may also have a 5 lug rotor which just replaces the brake rotor with 5 lug vs 4 lug. it is easy to identify as the brake rotor is both the brake ring and hub, where as the newer ones is the brak ring but not the central hub
rotor has no hub its part of the spindle, see pics below.
No spindle swap just 5 lug conversion rotors below
Rotor does not have "hub" in the 94+ spindle scenario
We were watching a car show and somebody had redid an old Mustang and I casually brought up what he would like if he got the mustang he was wanting he said he didn't much like the cobra style wheels or stock wheels...he said he likes skinny tires in the front with a little smaller rim and bigger thick fat type of tire in the back with a little bigger rim...he said something like 17x6 fr and 17x9 back??? The wheels picture are not exact because it was a lot to take in all at once haha
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