17x8 wheels up front??

AdamInChains

Member
Apr 22, 2006
128
0
16
I have a 65 coupe and i'm lookin to get some new wheels. The wheels that i want only come in 17x8 with 4.5 backspace. I'm pretty sure this will fit the rear no problems, but i see most people putting 17x7 up front in 65's. Will a 17x8 4.5 fit up front without rubbing/hitting anything?? I dont want to roll the fenders. I have 620 springs up front, and a neg wedge kit. Thanks!
 
  • Sponsors (?)


My 66 doesnot have the motor or trans. in it yet but without the springs in the tires clear the fenders when straight and when turned through the range of the suspension. 17x8 with 235/45/17 all around.
There is an article written by Mustangs Plus in one of the magazines, also I think it is on their web site as well about the 17/7 17/8 wheel debate.
 
I have 17x8 with 4.75BS 225/45(front) & 245/45(rear)on all 4 corners, my fenders are not rolled or flared & have NO RUBBING AT ALL! :nice:. Ill take some pictures today and post them up in a little while. I also have -1/2 degree chamber.
 
Sorry, I didn't get a chance to take some pics. today, but here are a few I dug up from my file...

1.jpg

4.jpg

View attachment 360156

I plan to do the shelbydrop, which will drop my front my front end ~1/2". I will then need to roll or cut my fender lip to stay away from rubbing.
 

Attachments

  • 1.jpg
    1.jpg
    34 KB · Views: 204
  • 4.jpg
    4.jpg
    42.8 KB · Views: 155
Sorry, I didn't get a chance to take some pics. today, but here are a few I dug up from my file...



I plan to do the shelbydrop, which will drop my front my front end ~1/2". I will then need to roll or cut my fender lip to stay away from rubbing.

If i am not mistaken, doesn't the shelby drop actually help your tires clear the fender lip due to the tire tilting in slightly after it is peformed?
 
I vote no. That 4.5" backspace is not enough. I think 4.75 is the minimum. I have 17 x 8's on a '65 with 5.0" BS. I had to use 7/32" spacers to clear the upper ball joints, and the fenders were already rolled.

I don't disagree with Dodgestang's post, that some models of rim and tire, with sufficient negative camber, can fit without rolling the fenders. But unless your seller is willing to accept returns if it doesn't work out, I would not take the chance without knowing of a specific '65-'66 running your specific combo.
 
I vote no. That 4.5" backspace is not enough. I think 4.75 is the minimum. I have 17 x 8's on a '65 with 5.0" BS. I had to use 7/32" spacers to clear the upper ball joints, and the fenders were already rolled.

8/32 = 1/4 (or .25) so 5.0 become 4.75 backspacing. So 7/32 (or .21) becomes 4.79 backspacing.

16x8 4.5 bs work with 225 tires so I would expect a 17x8 with 4.5 to also work with a 225 tire as long as the alignment is correct, shelby drop will help keep it from rubbing since the tire then tips in on curves instead of out (again assuming you have the correct alignment)
 
Thanks for all the responses! I'm still kinda iffy on ordering wheels without knowing 100% forsure. The ones i'm lookin at are the American Racing Torq Thrust M's, does anyone have any personal experience with these?? Thanks!

<img src="http://asp.americanracing.com/dealerline/blackimages/mega/m605MS.jpg">
 
Thanks for all the responses! I'm still kinda iffy on ordering wheels without knowing 100% forsure. The ones i'm lookin at are the American Racing Torq Thrust M's, does anyone have any personal experience with these?? Thanks!

I have American Racing Torq-Thrust II on my '65. I tried 17x8 with 4.75"BS and had interference with the upper control arm. I have Global West UCA's, so it could be an interference issue that's particular to the suspension. I wound up with 17x7 up front and 235/45R17 tires (I used the 17x8 4.75BS on the back without any issues).

For what it's worth, I ordered the wheels through a local tire dealer, and had them try the fit before mounting the tire. They were able to exchange the wrong wheels for the right ones with no fuss on my part. Might be worth thinking about.
 
I painted this for a customer and we tried my wheels and tires. 245 x 45 x 17 on 8" rims with 4 1/4" offset. I rolled the fenders and worked on the lower front edge for more clearance. There was 1/8" clearance between the lower front fender edge while turning. He went with 8 " 4 1/2" correction 4 3/4" offset and 225 tires (I believe). It was painted Viper Red using Southern Polyurethanes (SPI) primers, base and clear.

111.jpg



It will sit lower when he is finished and we did not have the latch for the deck lid.


114.jpg
 

Attachments

  • 111.jpg
    111.jpg
    94 KB · Views: 206
  • 114.jpg
    114.jpg
    83.9 KB · Views: 222