5 Lug Bolt Patterns

RGS0907 · Mar 17, 2006

I'm looking to find a spare in a junkyard that I can use in my 1969. Does anyone know if the new bolt patterns are the same on all current Fords & will they fit on the 69's? What about the Taurus rims?

degins · Mar 17, 2006

RGS0907 said:
I'm looking to find a spare in a junkyard that I can use in my 1969. Does anyone know if the new bolt patterns are the same on all current Fords & will they fit on the 69's? What about the Taurus rims?

Fitting a wheel is more than just bolt pattern. You must get the backspacing right as well. To state it simply, wheels from Classic Mustangs have moderate backspacing, they are dished in. Modern Ford wheels have large backspace and have very little dish to the front surface. The inner rim of these wheels would interfer with the control arms or spindles.

RGS0907 · Mar 17, 2006

degins said:
Fitting a wheel is more than just bolt pattern. You must get the backspacing right as well. To state it simply, wheels from Classic Mustangs have moderate backspacing, they are dished in. Modern Ford wheels have large backspace and have very little dish to the front surface. The inner rim of these wheels would interfer with the control arms or spindles.

Thanks.. But does that mean that I can't use any of the donuts in anything newer than mine? I have an original space saver spare that's 35 years old. I wanted to replace it with a nice small donut that I can use whenever I'm driving the car & I'll also get some extra room in that tiny trunk. Do you have any ideas?

5.0ina66 · Mar 17, 2006

Ranger/Explorer/Areostar are ~4" backspace and usually 15x7. Only ones I'm aware of with the proper backspace.

bnickel · Mar 18, 2006

if you just want the space saver, you can use one from any ford that is mustang or bigger. crown vics and mustangs usually will have the spare you're looking for. town cars are a good source as well. i think the taurus has a smaller bolt pattern, though

RGS0907 · Mar 19, 2006

5.0ina66 said:
Ranger/Explorer/Areostar are ~4" backspace and usually 15x7. Only ones I'm aware of with the proper backspace.

Thanks. Maybe I should just get a small rim for a 1969, say a stock 14" and get a small tire for it. All I want is a reliable spare.

WORTH · Mar 19, 2006

buy a narrow 14 inch rim and one of the cheapy trailer tires, they're pretty small and they'll get you home.

yeloxr7 · Mar 20, 2006

Crown Vics, Grand Marquis and Town cars up to about 2003 have wheels that will fit. Many have space-saver spares.

Taurus/Sable/Continental(FWD) and Thunderbird/Cougar/Mark VIII (89-96) have a smaller bolt pattern (5x4 1/4') and will not work. Offset/backspace on these would not be workable anyway.

John Z · Mar 20, 2006

You want to be sure the inflated height of the car is the same as the tires on the car. Otherwise you can screw up the rear end in a few miles.

RGS0907 · Mar 21, 2006

yeloxr7 said:
Crown Vics, Grand Marquis and Town cars up to about 2003 have wheels that will fit. Many have space-saver spares.

Taurus/Sable/Continental(FWD) and Thunderbird/Cougar/Mark VIII (89-96) have a smaller bolt pattern (5x4 1/4') and will not work. Offset/backspace on these would not be workable anyway.

Hey, that's what I needed to know! I'll hit the local junkyard this Saturday & look for a big Ford/Lincoln up to 2003.. Thanks. Otherwise I'll go with the 14x5" idea with a C78 tire.

RGS0907 · Mar 21, 2006

John Z said:
You want to be sure the inflated height of the car is the same as the tires on the car. Otherwise you can screw up the rear end in a few miles.

I never heard that. What do the cars that come with donuts do?

John Z · Mar 21, 2006

RGS0907 said:
I never heard that. What do the cars that come with donuts do?

The spare whether full size or donut has the same inflated diameter as the stock tires. Other wise one end of the axle spins at a different speed than the other end.

Having different width is also a problem and is the reason driving on a donut should be limited to ~55 mph and it should only be used to get to the nearest flat fix it place.

I've made the choice to always use full size spares that match what is on the car. I've also decided that having the same size tires on the front and rear is the way I want my world to be. I'm not saying that those who choose to use different tires on the front and rear are doing anything "wrong" and from a strictly performance view, it is probably a better choice.

RGS0907 · Mar 25, 2006

RGS0907 said:
Hey, that's what I needed to know! I'll hit the local junkyard this Saturday & look for a big Ford/Lincoln up to 2003.. Thanks. Otherwise I'll go with the 14x5" idea with a C78 tire.

Well, I tried a junkyard spare from a big Mercury today. The bolt pattern is very slightly off & I couldn't get it on my 1969. I even had a bolt pattern drawing with me & the spare was so close that it looked like a match... Any suggestions? Is there a specific vehicle that I should be looking for to match the bolt patterns?

yeloxr7 · Mar 27, 2006

RGS0907 said:
Well, I tried a junkyard spare from a big Mercury today. The bolt pattern is very slightly off & I couldn't get it on my 1969. I even had a bolt pattern drawing with me & the spare was so close that it looked like a match... Any suggestions? Is there a specific vehicle that I should be looking for to match the bolt patterns?

What model of "Big Mercury"? If it was a Sable or an 89-up Cougar, no the wheel won't fit. But a Grand Marquis should work. I have 95 Grand Marquis wheels on my 69 Cougar.

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