Pre-5 lug swap / wheel offset question

Bolt-On Bandit · Apr 16, 2006

Hey guys,

I'm getting ready to do a 5-lug/rear disc swap on my 1988 fox coupe using 94-95 style front and rear setup.

The wheels I'm planning on running (at least for now) are 17x8 '99 GT's, and I'm wondering if I'm gonna have big rub issues.

The car's lowered quite a bit, and right now my ponies (little 205/55/16's in the front) rub on the inside when turning in parking lots etc.

The wheels dont seem to stick out as far as they should (I'll see if I can find a pic). Oh yea, the car is a 4 banger conversion, but its got brakes from a 5.0 car on it, is there an obvious answer here other than wheel spacers?

Sooo my question is, how different is the backspacing on the 99 GT's from my stock ponies? Am I gonna have way too much rub and have to run spacers or will this somehow be ok?

Thanks for any help and sorry for the life story!!

txstang84 · Apr 16, 2006

stay away from wheel spacers! the factory backspace and offset for the 17x8 rims I believe is 5.72" b/s and 30mm offset...I'm running that measurement Bullitts on my '84 with 245/45/17's on '95 spindles, and they rub a little if I crank the wheel all the way one direction-I try not to, obviously...otherwise, they fit perfectly...now if I could just find a place to set the toe in correctly

Shakerhood · Apr 17, 2006

You can just throw a set of rack limiters up front, they are dirt cheap and work great!

Bolt-On Bandit · Apr 17, 2006

Thanks for the help guys,
Sounds like rack limiters are a far wiser way to go than wheel spacers.

Another question:
Since my problem is that the wheels arent far enough out, would it be a good idea to go with the 96-8 spindles rather than the 94-5 style?

Thanks guys!

seijirou · Apr 17, 2006

I've had 3 different fox's with 5 lug swaps. two 86's and one 88. I used 96 spindles on all of them, and I've run them with those same wheels you are talknig about.
I personally had them with 255 45's in the front with no rubbing anywhere, however I used the stock 86 springs. I found that the spindle swap drops the car a bit in the front anyway.

That's not to say it will work out that perfectly for you, but take it for what it's worth. I don't see the point of the 94-95 spindles personally. However I will say if your car is lowered already I think you're going to have some issues.

Mustang5L5 · Apr 17, 2006

stick with the '95 spindles up front.

On my '88 i have the same setup with 17x8 Cobra wheels and 235/45/17's up front (245's out back) and i think the setup is perfect. You could use some rack limiters up front as they on;ly rub when cranked all the way.

If you use the wider spindles, or spacers, you push the wheel out which causes problems when turning as the wheel travels in a larger arc and can start to rub on the rear of the inner fender.

WHat you are doing is pretty common. 17x8 wheels are the more popular SN95 wheels that most guys run

Shakerhood · Apr 18, 2006

Bolt-On Bandit said:
Thanks for the help guys,
Sounds like rack limiters are a far wiser way to go than wheel spacers.

Another question:
Since my problem is that the wheels arent far enough out, would it be a good idea to go with the 96-8 spindles rather than the 94-5 style?

Thanks guys!

I would stick with 94/95s as the 96s are slightly wider.

Pre-5 lug swap / wheel offset question

Bolt-On Bandit

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txstang84

Shakerhood

Bolt-On Bandit

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seijirou

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell

Shakerhood

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