18" wheels on 65 66 fastback

[tos]

Gettin ready to buy my wheels and I was wondering if anybody here has put 18" wheels on there 65 or 66 stang? Any problems with rubbing or turning? My thoughts are 18x8 in the front and 18x9 or 10 for the rear. Any advice or pics would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

 

[180 Out]

18 x 8 ft and 18 x 9 rear will fit; you've just got to get the right backspace and downsize the tires and roll the fender lips.

Going by my experience with 17 x 8's, 5.00 backspace, and 235/45-17's on a '65, first I'd advise you to go with that same 5.00 backspace. That might be too much, but it's a lot easier to use a 7/32" spacer (like I have on the fronts) to take out too much BS, than it is to add BS if you start with too little.

Second, I'd advise a maximum 235 cross section in front, with a 40 aspect ratio, and a 245/40 in the rear. You might be able to fit a 255/35 in the rear, but I would measure carefully before mounting them.

What rims are you looking at. (Please don't say Torque Thrust II's. Anything but TT II's, the OE rim of the Aughties.)

 

[ForceFed70]

I agree with 180 Out.

However, I think you should go with a narrower rim. 18x8's will fit up front with a skinny tire, but it'll look a little funny. 18x7's would look better as you'd actually have a little bulge in the tire. Same goes for the rears.

I have 18x9's in the front of my 70 (69/70's have more room) and I wish I would have went with an 18x8 instead.

 

[06cobra]

180 out..... You have any pictures of your car to share?

BTW: With the 235s did you have to roll the lips?

 

[180 Out]

Does Daddy have pix of his baby? Maybe a few:

http://forums.vintage-mustang.com/forums/photopost486/showphoto.php?photo=91&sort=1&cat=500&page=1
http://www.mustangmods.com/data/9461/ride_height_5305.jpg
http://www.mustangmods.com/data/9461/resized_2.jpg
http://www.mustangmods.com/data/9461/resized_6.jpg
http://www.mustangmods.com/data/9461/resized_1.jpg

To answer your question, yes the P.O. had rolled all the fender lips. I also had to cut a small bit of the pinch weld from the bottom of the passenger wheel well in front, to clear the tire at full right lock.

To answer your next question, the rims are the "Raceline" brand, and the model is "GT." Available painted dark grey metallic or polished aluminum, with tri-bar spinners also available. I got them at Les Schwab, a California tire store chain.

I have a question: how do you link to an image in this forum so that the pic appears in your post?

 

[70vert]

lookin' real good . . .

that's a nice look, I think you have the stance and the wheels nailed there. Those are 17"s, though, right? What's are the tire specs?

Does Daddy have pix of his baby? Maybe a few:

http://forums.vintage-mustang.com/forums/photopost486/showphoto.php?photo=91&sort=1&cat=500&page=1
http://www.mustangmods.com/data/9461/ride_height_5305.jpg
http://www.mustangmods.com/data/9461/resized_2.jpg
http://www.mustangmods.com/data/9461/resized_6.jpg
http://www.mustangmods.com/data/9461/resized_1.jpg

To answer your question, yes the P.O. had rolled all the fender lips. I also had to cut a small bit of the pinch weld from the bottom of the passenger wheel well in front, to clear the tire at full right lock.

To answer your next question, the rims are the "Raceline" brand, and the model is "GT." Available painted dark grey metallic or polished aluminum, with tri-bar spinners also available. I got them at Les Schwab, a California tire store chain.

I have a question: how do you link to an image in this forum so that the pic appears in your post?

 

[180 Out]

that's a nice look, I think you have the stance and the wheels nailed there. Those are 17"s, though, right? What are the tire specs?

17 x 8's, 5.00 B.S., 235/45-17's.

Thanks for the kind words. The car is currently all blown apart for a Fays2 Watts link and Slide-A-Link traction bar install, and replacement of all four springs. The previous setup was an easy bolt-in of some 4.5 leaf springs from Maier Racing and two passes at cutting the coils to match. The 2nd pic is the only one to show the results of the coil cutting. The new setup currently in progress has had me rejecting two sets of 4-leaf springs (too high!), and finally taking a leaf off one set and bolting it upside down on the other to get a good ride height. I expect to have to do some coil cutting again, to get the front to match the rear.

 

[dodgestang]

I like 17s

Seemed like the best comprise of sidewall to wheel for what I wanted to do with the car

But....18s should fit easily enough with the same rules as 17s

 

[DrStang]

As for BS, my '65 has a 17x8 in the rear with 5.25 BS with no rubbing or need for fender rolling. I have 255/40/17's mounted on a stock drum config.

 

[MDinDestin]

I like 17s

Seemed like the best comprise of sidewall to wheel for what I wanted to do with the car

But....18s should fit easily enough with the same rules as 17s

http://www.dodgestang.com/track2.jpg]

Nice ride, what are the sizes on this set up?

 

[dodgestang]

17x8 4.75

245 40 17 in the front (all the time)
275 40 17 in the rear (track only Drag radials that rub on bumps and tight turns, but work perfect for straight lines)
255 40 17 in the rear (on the street)

 

[elaudtr]

18's on a 1966 Fastback

Gettin ready to buy my wheels and I was wondering if anybody here has put 18" wheels on there 65 or 66 stang? Any problems with rubbing or turning? My thoughts are 18x8 in the front and 18x9 or 10 for the rear. Any advice or pics would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

See this other discussion about 18" on a 1965 or 1966 Mustang.

http://forums.stangnet.com/showthread.php?t=721195

That is my Red 1966 GT Fastback.

I went with:
Wheels and Tires
18x7 Front with 225/40/18 and 4.50 backspacing
18x8 Rear with 245/40/18 and 4.75 backspacing with SSBC rear disc - I had to roll the rear quarters, because i rubbed hard. I wish I went with 5.00 backspacing in the rear.

Suspension
Front - 620 coils, cut by previous owner about 3/4 of a turn- no rubbing and tucked

Rear - 4.50 Leaf Mideye stock 8" rear - rubbing with 3 or more passengers

<center>
<a href="http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh15/elaudtr/1006.jpg" target="_blank">
<img src="http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh15/elaudtr/th_1006.jpg"></a>
</center>

<center>
<a href="http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh15/elaudtr/1966GT18s.jpg" target="_blank">
<img src="http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh15/elaudtr/th_1966GT18s.jpg"></a>
</center>

 

[65kcode]

17x8 4.75

245 40 17 in the front (all the time)
275 40 17 in the rear (track only Drag radials that rub on bumps and tight turns, but work perfect for straight lines)
255 40 17 in the rear (on the street)

What have you done to the suspension? I love the stance of your car!!
Please share your setup.

Kevin

 

[dodgestang]

What have you done to the suspension? I love the stance of your car!!
Please share your setup.

Kevin

Front:
620 drop 1 inch drop in the front
lowered a-arm aka shelby (arning) mod with open tracker upper and moog lowers
Roller spring perches
IAS Shocks
1 1/8 sway

rear
5 leaf mid eye
KYB Gas-a-just
Evolution Watts link to keep it all centered

 

[iskwezm]

Put some 20's and bag it

I personally like the way it came out and would like to do this but.............., i know people will start pissing and moaning though

heres my buddies:
620's,5 leaf mif eyes with 215/45 and 275/40's,17X7 and 17X8(he copied me)
View attachment 341105
View attachment 341107

and mine same size wheels and tires but lower
View attachment 341109
View attachment 341111

 

[washMO66]

roll on the 22's and bag it...

 

[mattj25]

what is the backspacing on the wheels of your buddies regular coupe?

 

[iskwezm]

what is the backspacing on the wheels of your buddies regular coupe?

if you talking to me,its a 4.75 BS

 

[mattj25]

Its a 4.75 bs on the 17x7 and 17x8 is that correct? I'm talking about your buddies coupe.

 

[iskwezm]

Its a 4.75 bs on the 17x7 and 17x8 is that correct? I'm talking about your buddies coupe.

the fronts im not sure about,but the rears, i measured the rears myself to get the BS i needed.