17" wheels & brakes for early Fox Body Mustang

[Brute]

Mustang Lovers:

I'm looking at a modified 1980 Mustang for sale. The car has been converted to 5-lug axles with an early Ford Motorsport front brake kit and a Ford 9" rear end with drum brakes. I'm not familiar with pre-87 Mustangs, and have a few questions:

1. I want to run late-model 17" Mustang OEM wheels on the car. Which ones fit? I understand the SN95 Mustangs made a switch to sealed front bearings at some point, which allowed the piloting hub diameter on the wheel to get smaller. I'm assuming the 5-lug brakes on the car currently are something similiar to Lincoln LSC rotors. Can I use any OEM 17" wheels on this car? If not, what are a good Ford OEM 16" or 15" wheel with the 5-lug pattern? I don't have a ton to spend on wheels for it.

2. What is a good, reasonably (under $700) rear disc brake kit for a 9" rear end? The car is going to see mostly street and drag use.

3. For those of you in the Metro Detroit area, where is a good, economical body shop? This car is straight and rust-free, but is wearing it's original black paint and needs stripped to bare metal and repainted.

Any input is appreciated.

 

[Brute]

C'mon people, can anybody help me out?

 

[BlackFox5.0]

What does it have for front brakes?

Are they just 5-lug rotors? If so, then they won't work with most late model wheels, You'll need SN95 Spindles with brakes.

 

[Brute]

Blackfox, they are just 5-lug rotors. This car was built in 1990, before any of the SN95 stuff was available. I've heard the '94-'95 17X8 wheels are the only ones that work. True? Or am I stuck with 15" wheels until I upgrade the brakes?

 

[BlackFox5.0]

Those wheels should fit. Answers to all your questions are on this site, read through it very carefully.... it has everything you need to know.

http://svo73mm.cjb.net/

 

[sleeper89]

FWIW- almost any, if not any, factory ford wheel with center cap that *covers the lugs* should work. cobra r's etc. with exposed lugs will not.

-steve

 

[Mustang5L5]

What will fit:
94-95 GT 17" rims
94-97? GT 16" rims
94-97 Cobra 17" rims
'95 Cobra R's
ALL V6 rims

these are my '97 Cobras on the 5-lug rotors before i went SN95 Cobra fronts

 

[Brute]

Thanks to everyone! I'll let you know if the deal goes thru, an which wheels I buy for the car!