Wheel Offset Question

[ApexStang]

Guys, I see a lot of variances in wheel offsets. I know we have a high positive offset. But I found some wheels that I like that have various available offsets. I'm going to be a little different and go after 19 inch wheels.

Here are some numbers. Which will give me the best fit and look? I don't want any of the rim or tires sticking outside the fender wells.

19x8.5 front 5x114.3 38 offset
19x9.5 rear 5x114.3 45 offset

or
19x8.5 front 38 offset
19.9.5 rear 38 offset

I've also seen them with a 40ish offset in the front and a 38 in the rear. What is the proper route to take? I just want to be sure the wheels sit right on the car.

My thoughts are the the offset should be higher in the rear than the front, but that's my uneducated guess. Anyone who knows, please chime in. BigCat, you have some good knowledge, any recommendations?

Thanks,
Apex

 

[McQueens Dream]

you will be fine with the first set you mentioned. anything with 35mm offset and they sit flush to the wheel wells. right now i am using 45mm wheels and they tuck under the car some, giving more clearance for my huge rear tires...

 

[Hoboattacker]

It all depends on the wheels too. I know some that have a +24mm offset for our cars and they fit perfectly flush with the fenders. (Shelby Razor wheels)

 

[Infinity]

you will be fine with the first set you mentioned. anything with 35mm offset and they sit flush to the wheel wells. right now i am using 45mm wheels and they tuck under the car some, giving more clearance for my huge rear tires...

The 35/45mm is measured from the center of the wheel. Meaning, the offset will change based on the overall width of the wheel. I would go with the second listing. The rears will be brought out more flush with the fenders- slightly wider in stance than the fronts. On the first, the front/rear would be about even, with the extra being to the inside on the rear.

 

[speed1972]

My 18x8.5 Foose are 34mm and they fit great. I had a set of 18x10's with 45mm offset that I test fitted and for me they were too close to the outside edge. So I think you'd be happy with the first set you mentioned....

LB

 

[ApexStang]

My 18x8.5 Foose are 34mm and they fit great. I had a set of 18x10's with 45mm offset that I test fitted and for me they were too close to the outside edge. So I think you'd be happy with the first set you mentioned....

LB

So, who's correct here? Speed says the 45mm will push to far to the edge of the fender, and Infinity says the 38's will be closer to the fender on the rear. McQueen is saying the 45's on his old car tucked under the fenders.

Thanks for all the input guys, but who's right here? I don't really want to go with the trial and error method because rims are wayyyyy too much money!

Thanks!
Apex

 

[Infinity]

Again, it is based on the TOTAL WIDTH OF THE WHEEL! A 9.5" wheel with 38mm offset will be about 1/4" further in from the fender then a 10" with a 45mm offset. FWIW, a 10.5" with a 41-43mm offset is almost perfect to me. I also like the looks of 10" front (+45) and 11" rear (+57).

 

[ApexStang]

The wheels I'm looking at are 19x8.5 and 19x9.5. Thanks again for the info, I just want to get this right the first time.

Apex

 

[kkdoughboy]

I made a costly mistake and bought my 20's with a 25mm offset for my 07 GT in the rear. They stuck about an inch outside the fenderwell and it looked awful. Be careful which route you take. If I were you I would go no lower than 38mm. Happy Buying.

 

[speed1972]

You should be fine with the 9.5 with a 45mm offset... It will stick in like stated above about 1/4" in from the edge.. should be perfect fit...

sorry about the confusion, mine was with 10's

 

[anthony05gt]

+40-45mm is where you want to be. The lower the offset measurement the more the wheels will stick out.

 

[Infinity]

+40-45mm is where you want to be. The lower the offset measurement the more the wheels will stick out.

Yep, but I just don't want a blanket statement. 40-45mm offset on an 8" wheel will look like the car is tip-toeing or set up to go on railroad tracks.

Apex, you're good to go. Post pics when you're done.

 

[Five Oh Brian]

I bought some 9 inch wide wheels (17x9's) to mount 275/40/17 drag radials. My factory 18x8.5's had a 45mm offset and are tucked in too much for my personal taste (wheel spacers would line them up with the fenders). My 17x9's have a 36mm offset and the tires stick out just a few mm, so I should have got a little more offset. I'm thinking on a 9 inch wide wheel, something around 40mm would line up better with the fender.

 

[anthony05gt]

Yep, but I just don't want a blanket statement. 40-45mm offset on an 8" wheel will look like the car is tip-toeing or set up to go on railroad tracks.

Apex, you're good to go. Post pics when you're done.

No, it won't look like that. The cars came with 8'' wheels and a +45mm offset. That's old news.

 

[Infinity]

No, it won't look like that. The cars came with 8'' wheels and a +45mm offset. That's old news.

Odd, mine are 8.5's, and they have a measured +43mm. I think it looks like it's tip-toeing, even from the factory. Maybe a lot of the confusion is stemming from what people perceive? Someone who thinks their wheels stick out too far may think my tip-toes are perfect? Each to his own, as long as we can hook people up without cutting/rubbing the tires.

 

[anthony05gt]

+40-45 is where it's at. I've got 275's on the car and I see how 305's will fit just fine. My wheels are 10''. If you think the stock offset looks bad then we just differ in opinion. I've looked at new stangs with +35mm and less and I think they look like hell, and the wheels stick out beyond the fenders and quarters.

This is old news.

 

[billy_tripper]

I put 20x8.5" wheels with a +20 offset and they sit perfectly flush with the fender. I think it gives it a great look! The factory wheels sit under the fender about and inch and I hated that about them.

 

[anthony05gt]

Yeah, but you could never use wide tires or they'd stick out.