Wheel / Tire question

[Aaron]

I'm sure MANY people have asked this in the past, but I couldn't find this question answered recently...
I have an 87 GT. What width 17" rims can I put on the car without having to worry about hitting the fender when I turn? Will 17X9's be ok all around? I don't plan on going crazy with tires either. I'm hoping to get by with 235/45-17 tires. The car is not lowered (yet) and currently has the stock turbine wheels. I know the 91-93's can take bigger rims as the fender size changed in 91. I also know that I will end up needing steering rack limiters to avoid the fender problem. I'm not looking for anything huge...just don't want to run into problems when I buy the rims I want.

 

[PRO50SC]

I'm runnin' 17x8 w/ 245/45/17 on the front w/ no clearence/rubbing issues what so ever. 17x9 on the rear w/ 275/40/17 dr's. Had to remove the quad shocks to prevent rubbing. Other than that no problem in the rear either. I did not have to roll the fenders either.

92lx w/ stock height suspension.

 

[88GTStreetRod]

I run 235/45/17 in front and 255/45/17 in rear on an 88Gt no problems with clearance. Car is lowered 1.5 inches

I'm sure MANY people have asked this in the past, but I couldn't find this question answered recently...
I have an 87 GT. What width 17" rims can I put on the car without having to worry about hitting the fender when I turn? Will 17X9's be ok all around? I don't plan on going crazy with tires either. I'm hoping to get by with 235/45-17 tires. The car is not lowered (yet) and currently has the stock turbine wheels. I know the 91-93's can take bigger rims as the fender size changed in 91. I also know that I will end up needing steering rack limiters to avoid the fender problem. I'm not looking for anything huge...just don't want to run into problems when I buy the rims I want.

 

[Aaron]

Does anybody think running 17X9's at 4 corners will be a problem? I'll probably end up doing a 5 lug conversion (I noticed 4 lug Cobra R's are 17X8 and 5 lug versions are 17x9). Or should I just stick with 4 lug 17X8's?

 

[88GTStreetRod]

I did the 5 lug on my car. Had to use 94 Gt spindles and brakes so that the bullet rims would fit. I originally bought 5 lug kit from Mustang Unlimited. That kit would not fit the bullet rims. Ended up cheeper because I went to junk yard and bought spindles and re-painted.

Does anybody think running 17X9's at 4 corners will be a problem? I'll probably end up doing a 5 lug conversion (I noticed 4 lug Cobra R's are 17X8 and 5 lug versions are 17x9). Or should I just stick with 4 lug 17X8's?

 

[HarleyFordFan]

hmmm i never thought of this but... i have the 16" pony wheels with 225/60r16 michelins on my 1988 GT and the rub the ground effects on my gt. will 245/45r17 rub at all?

 

[Aaron]

hmmm i never thought of this but... i have the 16" pony wheels with 225/60r16 michelins on my 1988 GT and the rub the ground effects on my gt. will 245/45r17 rub at all?

Is your car lowered? If it's not lowered and you are rubbing with 16's...then I don't know what to think any more.

 

[Psydwaze]

I just put 275/40-17's on a 17x9 in the rear of my '88. Cut the rear fender lips down to less than a 1/4" at the top. I have about 3/4" of travel before it makes contact. It only rubs when my car is really loaded down, (full tank, full trunk and full seats). Quad shocks are still in and have about 3/8" clearance. I would say they fit if you have the correct backspacing. Not sure what backspacing I have. I'll check next time I have my wheels off.

 

[stangonline]

On 90 and older cars, the front fender openings are a little smaller. 17x9 might be a little big and 235s are way way too small for a 9 inch wheel - its going to look wierd, IMO. Stick with 17x8s and 245s. Even then, the fronts are the problem on the pre-91 cars.

Check out my car - it has 275s on all fours with 17x9 wheels - I have a 93 and I still had to do some tricks to keep it from rubbing up front. It will rub on full lock with no rack limiters (keeps you from turning as much)... so if your car is a 90 or older, it could be a real challenge.

Jeff
www.stangonline.com

 

[HarleyFordFan]

i dont think its lowered... i just bought the car. here is a pic: