Wheel spacers?
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 4
From: Texas
Wheel spacers?
Hello everyone, I am new to the forums I need help with a question I have about wheel spacers and will I need them on my 04 mustang? Right now I am running on stock rims which are 215/60/16 all around and I am going to put 265/35/18 for the front and 285/35/18 for the rear so will I need spacers or will they fit without?
Banned
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 2,327
From: Pennsylvania
The 265/35/18 will be .9" Shorter, and 2" Wider. You don't want wide tires up front. You don't
want to go too far down in height either.
The 285/35/18 will be .3" shorter, and 2.6" Wider. 295/35/18 will retain the 16" wheel's height.
You won't need spacers, you have to remember, that, even if you go 2" wider,
that's 1" wider on each side of the tire, from center of the tread to each edge.
The whole 2" doesn't go to one side.
https://tiresize.com/calculator/
want to go too far down in height either.
The 285/35/18 will be .3" shorter, and 2.6" Wider. 295/35/18 will retain the 16" wheel's height.
You won't need spacers, you have to remember, that, even if you go 2" wider,
that's 1" wider on each side of the tire, from center of the tread to each edge.
The whole 2" doesn't go to one side.
https://tiresize.com/calculator/
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 4
From: Texas
The 265/35/18 will be .9" Shorter, and 2" Wider. You don't want wide tires up front. You don't
want to go too far down in height either.
The 285/35/18 will be .3" shorter, and 2.6" Wider. 295/35/18 will retain the 16" wheel's height.
You won't need spacers, you have to remember, that, even if you go 2" wider,
that's 1" wider on each side of the tire, from center of the tread to each edge.
The whole 2" doesn't go to one side.
https://tiresize.com/calculator/
want to go too far down in height either.
The 285/35/18 will be .3" shorter, and 2.6" Wider. 295/35/18 will retain the 16" wheel's height.
You won't need spacers, you have to remember, that, even if you go 2" wider,
that's 1" wider on each side of the tire, from center of the tread to each edge.
The whole 2" doesn't go to one side.
https://tiresize.com/calculator/
Banned
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 2,327
From: Pennsylvania
Stock '99-'04 rims are at least ET24 (+24) Offset, +26, and GT +30. Did not find the
back-spacing.
The front end of a Mustang is set up in a way that will fit at largest a 9” rim with stock
components. The bigger brakes will be up front, so that's probably a definite yes for
spacers, unless the back spacing is more than the stock.
Rear? Stock? With the independent rear suspension (IRS), using a larger wheel means the
tire’s sidewall will rub the rear IRS subframe-mounting bolt. However, by changing out the stock
half-inch factory IRS subframe bolt with a shorter one, you can use 17x10.5” rims. A 10.5" rim can
handle up to 315mm wide tires. Solid Axle, rims need to clear the calipers...
back-spacing.
The front end of a Mustang is set up in a way that will fit at largest a 9” rim with stock
components. The bigger brakes will be up front, so that's probably a definite yes for
spacers, unless the back spacing is more than the stock.
Rear? Stock? With the independent rear suspension (IRS), using a larger wheel means the
tire’s sidewall will rub the rear IRS subframe-mounting bolt. However, by changing out the stock
half-inch factory IRS subframe bolt with a shorter one, you can use 17x10.5” rims. A 10.5" rim can
handle up to 315mm wide tires. Solid Axle, rims need to clear the calipers...
Big brake kits don't always fit under the stock rims. Pushing the rims out an inch or so will give
the calipers more room to breathe, and you don't have to worry about scarring the inside of your
rims or the brand new calipers.
There are some things to keep in mind before slapping on a set of spacers and calling it a day.
Too big of a spacer can actually hurt your Mustang more than the wider stance could help performance.
Oversized spacers can negatively affect the scrub radius (imagine two lines: one through the center of
the tires and another following the angle of the suspension. The difference between where those two
lines meet and the road surface is the scrub radius). Ideally, your scrub radius will be zero for optimal
performance. Too large of spacers can move the scrub radius and overstrain suspension components
(wheel bearings, ball joints, and tie rods), making them wear out faster. All things considered, make
sure you don't over shoot what you need.
the calipers more room to breathe, and you don't have to worry about scarring the inside of your
rims or the brand new calipers.
There are some things to keep in mind before slapping on a set of spacers and calling it a day.
Too big of a spacer can actually hurt your Mustang more than the wider stance could help performance.
Oversized spacers can negatively affect the scrub radius (imagine two lines: one through the center of
the tires and another following the angle of the suspension. The difference between where those two
lines meet and the road surface is the scrub radius). Ideally, your scrub radius will be zero for optimal
performance. Too large of spacers can move the scrub radius and overstrain suspension components
(wheel bearings, ball joints, and tie rods), making them wear out faster. All things considered, make
sure you don't over shoot what you need.
MF Staff Snitch
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 7,041
From: Scotia, NY
Stock '99-'04 rims are at least ET24 (+24) Offset, +26, and GT +30. Did not find the
back-spacing.
The front end of a Mustang is set up in a way that will fit at largest a 9” rim with stock
components. The bigger brakes will be up front, so that's probably a definite yes for
spacers, unless the back spacing is more than the stock.
Rear? Stock? With the independent rear suspension (IRS), using a larger wheel means the
tire’s sidewall will rub the rear IRS subframe-mounting bolt. However, by changing out the stock
half-inch factory IRS subframe bolt with a shorter one, you can use 17x10.5” rims. A 10.5" rim can
handle up to 315mm wide tires. Solid Axle, rims need to clear the calipers...
back-spacing.
The front end of a Mustang is set up in a way that will fit at largest a 9” rim with stock
components. The bigger brakes will be up front, so that's probably a definite yes for
spacers, unless the back spacing is more than the stock.
Rear? Stock? With the independent rear suspension (IRS), using a larger wheel means the
tire’s sidewall will rub the rear IRS subframe-mounting bolt. However, by changing out the stock
half-inch factory IRS subframe bolt with a shorter one, you can use 17x10.5” rims. A 10.5" rim can
handle up to 315mm wide tires. Solid Axle, rims need to clear the calipers...
These wheels will fit, no spacers needed.
Go with taller/wider tire on the rear. On a 10" wheel, 285 is pretty narrow. 295/25 or 305/35.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post