well I figure it's about time for a wheel upgrade on the stang. I'm looking at torque thrusts 17x10.5 with a 44mm offset and 7.5" backspace for the rear. Same wheels 17x8 up front. I figure I may have to roll my fenders a bit, but does anyone know of any other problems I may run into? What size tire should I look to get? I don't want to have to get a super low-profile tire.

 

Fitting wheels "by the numbers" is a tedious process, probably too tedious and involved for me to say yes or no over the internet. So far I have done well at getting things where I want them, but I measure, measure again, then draw everything out on paper, work in the "tire bulge, measure again, draw it out again and then buy.

http://www.hotrodhanks.com/tech-info

I use this website to assist in my tech...

http://www.performanceplustire.com/t...ire-Dimensions

 

I think that is too much backspace..On my 68 I am running 5.5 backspacing and have about an inch to the leaf spring..That number is dependant on sidewall bulge but that number should be close..I don't think you could get away with more than 6 inches of backspacing without the tire rubbing the spring.

 

You might want to check the area that is on the forward inside area of the rear wheel well. This area has a tendency to make contact with the sidewall when adding wide rims and tires. If you are thinking of lowering it a lot you might want to remove the spare tire bulge from the pass. side of the rear wheel well. It sometimes can make contact when you enter a inclined driveway at an angle.

 

Or buy one of these http://www.jegs.com/i/Percy%27s/760/01201/10002/-1 it will let you test fit any rim and tire size you can think of it.

 

omg! That tool is awesome! I am thinking about getting some thicker tires on the rear as well, but with back space so that I can lower my ride a bit more. I am going to have to purchase that tool, I think that it will pay for itself the first time that I buy a new set of rims, the right size of rims, the first time.

What I don't have is that old school eye for wheel size. I had my car up on a lift and a guy who owns a few nice 69-70's era Mustangs told me that I had room for some wider tires. He told me some backspace sizes which I'm sure where spot on, but I can't pull that guy out of my tool box and I don't have that much wisdom when it comes to wheels. Thanks for that post, it's going to help me.

James

 

Unless you have a stock suspension its hard to know how something will fit your cars vs someone else car.Things like 1/2 inch track width change can make back spacing fun too.But changing the rear to a link set up will gain you a little room your limiting factor will be the wheel wells.

 

yea I may end up going with some slightly lower backspacking. But from what I've read, the 69-70 mustangs have slightly more room in the wheel well than the 68s.

@andrewmp6- that looks like a very handy tool. I may give that a shot, although I may simply just mock a weel up with cardboard.

I have no problems "massaging" my wheel wells a little bit if need be. A little rubbing isn't really a concern, but what I really don't want to have happen is get the wheels and they end up sticking out 3" or something.

@cruzzar- car will not be lowered any more than it already is. It's been lowered about an inch. I have no hump recess for the spare tire in mine.

@JMD- thx for the links, will use those for sure.

 

Ya I think the quarter panels are a little wider on the 69s but I think the extra clearance is to the outside since the rearend housing and spring pad location is the same on the 67-70s...

 

I think you're right. Guess I'll just have to measure it all out. I'd like to try my hardest to keep from having to return wheels since they're expensive to ship, but I'd rather not buy a $65 tool that I'm probably only going to use once either.

I think what I'm going to do is just get some stands under the rear axle and mock up a straight edge from the hub to the top of the wheel well and measure off of that.