• Mustang Forums
  • 2005 - 2014 S-197 Mustang -General/Talk-

Different sized rims front and back?

  • Thread starter Thread starter andtrap
  • Start date Start date Sep 21, 2008

andtrap

New Member
Sep 20, 2008
0
0
0
England
Sep 21, 2008
#1
  • Sep 21, 2008
  • #1
Anyone running bigger back rims than fronts on an s197? Not width, radius. And if so what size of rims and tyre profile have you gone for?
 

walter

Founding Member
Aug 13, 1998
1,054
0
46
Houston TX
Sep 21, 2008
#2
  • Sep 21, 2008
  • #2
Tire size calculator

Best site ever for these types of questions.

I forgot but some popular wheel retailer had a line about running different wheel sizes. IIRC they said that it was possible but not recommended because of the limited tire selection to keep the setup balanced properly. I think it may have been American Muscle or Stage 3 motorsports I'm not sure
 

DarkFireGT

Playing with my wife's really makes me want one.
10 Year Member
May 23, 2004
692
10
89
East Moline, IL
Sep 21, 2008
#3
  • Sep 21, 2008
  • #3
I'm running smaller diameter in the back of my '05, but taller than stock tires.

Front 18x9" 255/45/18 BFG KDW2
Rear 17x9" 325/45/17 M&H Dragmaster
 

andtrap

New Member
Sep 20, 2008
0
0
0
England
Sep 22, 2008
#4
  • Sep 22, 2008
  • #4
That looks cool and I'm guessing works well for Drag.

I spend more time on European roads and race tracks. Lotsa bends! I'll stick with my standard s/s setup for the track, but I want a bigger back end look thats not going to upset the corner handling too much on the road...

Anyone run bigger on the back?
 

DarkFireGT

Playing with my wife's really makes me want one.
10 Year Member
May 23, 2004
692
10
89
East Moline, IL
Sep 23, 2008
#5
  • Sep 23, 2008
  • #5
lol the picture you were looking at was a similar setup, but doesn't match. That's my '07. Here's my '05.

 

andtrap

New Member
Sep 20, 2008
0
0
0
England
Sep 23, 2008
#6
  • Sep 23, 2008
  • #6
Doh! You can forgive the error though!
Anyway, that '05 looks DIRTY! Think I'd get so much stick for that setup over in England. Very conservative mods here compared to the US. I'm running 18's upfront and 20's at the rear. Both on 40 series profiles. Its kinda unheard of...
 

walter

Founding Member
Aug 13, 1998
1,054
0
46
Houston TX
Sep 23, 2008
#7
  • Sep 23, 2008
  • #7
I heard of 17/18 stagger but 18/20? that's gotta be crazy looking. Post up some pics when you get a chance.
 

andtrap

New Member
Sep 20, 2008
0
0
0
England
Sep 23, 2008
#8
  • Sep 23, 2008
  • #8
As soon as it stops raining over here I'll take some. And it aint that crazy. You'd be surprised how right it looks. IMHO anyway!
 

andtrap

New Member
Sep 20, 2008
0
0
0
England
Sep 26, 2008
#9
  • Sep 26, 2008
  • #9
OK, weather turned nice so some shots as promised. The wheels are set up with an 18/20 stagger. This is the result of one of those 'gazing at the car over a beer' moments. It occured to us (a couple of the SurreyMustang.com team) that whilst the front wheels looked right on our setup, the area of bodywork around the back wheels made them look a bit wimpy. So we threw these on...

Not 100% sure this is the final solution so comments would be welcome. We are arguing amongst ourselves over whether a 19/20 combo would be better and maybe a low-profile tyre setup might work too. Although the higher tyre walls are more 'retro' and our kind of style. They ride nicer too.

Anyway, some pics:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/surreymustang/2890472030/" title="Staggered Rims 1 by surreymustang, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3019/2890472030_b15c4ca564_o.jpg" width="521" height="218" alt="Staggered Rims 1" /></a>
From this angle you don't really notice the stagger but the stance looks just right.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/surreymustang/2890471840/" title="Staggered Rims 2 by surreymustang, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3082/2890471840_f27ce1857a_o.jpg" width="521" height="218" alt="Staggered Rims 2" /></a>
Directly side-on is where the setup looks the most obvious and the extra height at the back due to the increased circumference on the rear wheels really shows.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/surreymustang/2889636433/" title="Staggered Rims 3 by surreymustang, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3154/2889636433_c5049509dd_o.jpg" width="521" height="218" alt="Staggered Rims 3" /></a>
From the threequarter back view, it just looks FAT!

Like it or Loath it?
Let me know...
 

bigcat

start with the upper hole, and if more traction is
May 1, 2005
3,015
1
79
7200 feet
Sep 26, 2008
#10
  • Sep 26, 2008
  • #10
i like it
 

kooldawg6

mine works really well and can take a fair amount
Aug 31, 2006
1,679
2
38
Central VA
Sep 26, 2008
#11
  • Sep 26, 2008
  • #11
andtrap said:
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/surreymustang/2890472030/" title="Staggered Rims 1 by surreymustang, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3019/2890472030_b15c4ca564_o.jpg" width="521" height="218" alt="Staggered Rims 1" /></a>
From this angle you don't really notice the stagger but the stance looks just right.
Click to expand...

That looks freaking awesome!
I don't care for 20"s at all, but the shorter wheel up front makes it more likable for my taste. I searched the tire size you're running in the back (295/40-20) and they are (depending on brand/model) are between 29.2"-29.5" tall. The tire I'm looking at getting next for the back is 29.2" tall. The front is nearly the same so this gives me a great idea on how it will look
 

00silverbullet

New Member
Apr 17, 2005
10
0
0
CA
Sep 26, 2008
#12
  • Sep 26, 2008
  • #12
Looks AWESOME!!!!
 

DarkFireGT

Playing with my wife's really makes me want one.
10 Year Member
May 23, 2004
692
10
89
East Moline, IL
Sep 26, 2008
#13
  • Sep 26, 2008
  • #13
I find it hard to tell what it looks like exactly because the wheels are all black. Polished lips define them a lot better. But from what I can tell, not bad.
 

NastyStang113

New Member
Sep 12, 2008
1,567
1
0
Florida
Sep 26, 2008
#14
  • Sep 26, 2008
  • #14
DarkFireGT said:
I find it hard to tell what it looks like exactly because the wheels are all black. Polished lips define them a lot better. But from what I can tell, not bad.
Click to expand...

I agree completely. It's definitely different so you have to get credit for that !!
 

Mr_Q

Founding Member
Nov 5, 2002
721
8
48
Burbank, CA
Sep 26, 2008
#15
  • Sep 26, 2008
  • #15
Man it looks like if you hit the gas it would dig a hold straight ahead into the ground.

It looks VERY retro with that raked stance. It's not the look for me...BUT....I do think it looks pretty mean.
 

andtrap

New Member
Sep 20, 2008
0
0
0
England
Sep 29, 2008
#16
  • Sep 29, 2008
  • #16
Well thanks guys. A bit more of a positive response than I got on a UK forum. But Then thats what I was expecting. Will be taming it down a bit I think... a difference of 2 inches is maybe too much?
 

walter

Founding Member
Aug 13, 1998
1,054
0
46
Houston TX
Sep 29, 2008
#17
  • Sep 29, 2008
  • #17
If you were going for the old skool raked look you hit the nail right on the head.

I'm more of a even look person but well done for trying something different.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Hit something exiting
  • Creomod
  • Mar 9, 2026
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
18
Views
450
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Mar 17, 2026
General karthief
R
Front suspension upgrade going on one of our 64/5-68 Mustangs
  • Restomotive
  • Apr 22, 2026
  • 1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk-
Replies
2
Views
100
1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk- Apr 24, 2026
Restomotive
R
B
Tire size question 1986 gt hatchback
  • B0udreaux
  • Jan 12, 2026
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
6
Views
482
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Jan 17, 2026
B0udreaux
B
D
New Tires
  • Dave G 2292
  • May 25, 2025
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
Replies
3
Views
224
1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk- May 30, 2025
ctandc
C
Wheel backspacing
  • Brad Hanks
  • Sep 25, 2025
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
8
Views
427
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Sep 25, 2025
Brad Hanks
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 2005 - 2014 S-197 Mustang -General/Talk-
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?