Hey guys, O.K. so I've been scouting out for some new rims and tires, and I have come to find that I am not sure what size or width I want and/or need. I understand that the size of the rim is purely for looks, no? But the width of the rim, and the width of the tire, are they purely for traction, or is there something else involved? I'm looking to go with 17x9 up front and 18x9 out back Deep Dish Bullits. Does anyone see any problems with having both 9's in front and back?

 

I dont see a "problem" per se with going 9s in front and back but personally I like a little wider in back than front.
I know these are smaller than what you are looking at but I have 17x7 in front, 17x8 in back, just for your reference. And they are Vintage 45's.

What year is your baby? Do you got any pics of what you are looking at?

 

Good question, were wondering how wide we can go for our 70' fastback.

9.5" is the most ive seen done with a rolled lip.

 

ya i am def gunna change up front now thinkin about 17X8 and 18x9s in the back ... i get what your sayin' its the musclecar look bigger/wider rims out back with smaller tires up front ya that definately looks better. I'm lookin' @ getting them from American Muscle so no they are not vintage 45's. I cant get any pics @ the moment since my car is up on jackstands with no rims to put under it. sorry.






btw nice lookin stang. im jealous [:@]

 

you really need to tell us what year mustang you have. 64-66 could not take as large of wheels as the 67+.

As far as the diameter of the rims- no, it is not just for looks. The bigger the rim will improve handling because it'll leave the tire with a smaller sidewall. Remember, the tire will flex on a turn, where as the rim won't. Thus less sidewall is more stable.It'll also make for a stiffer/rougher ride.Meanwhile, if you're looking for strait-line traction, the bigger sidewall will actually help get traction from a start.

 

And it will also increase rotational weight, lessen braking effeciency, decrease acceleration, screw up the speedometer, and reduce your rearend ratio,further reducing your take off "jump".
17x8 and 18x9 are huge wheels for our classics. Are you going to tubb and roll, or just jack it up and stick them out the sides and look like ghetto crap?

 

ok 1st of all i have a 67 coupe, 2ndly i am going to roll the lip yes i definately do not like jacked up look the lower/meaner u can get it the better

 

backspacing is the only problem you might have double check on http://www.dodgestang.com/Tire%20Fit...ide%2067-8.pdf

 

yeah, I also said the bigger sidewall would help traction. You're right that a lot of people discount the advantages these days now that the"low profile"tires arethe trend.

Rims don't have toeffect speedometers though. The speedo is a function of rim + sidewall. If you lower one, and increase the other, than you can keep the same outside diameter and the speedo won't know anything changed.

This site has a great tool for making sure you keep the same diameter if you ever change rims/tires.

 

"width and size, do they matter?"

I'm led to believe, from a relaible source, that its all about the girth