Style Steel Wheel Kits

Style Steel Wheel Kits
Give your Mustang the factory mag look with a Style Steel Wheel Kit! Our Style Steel Wheel Kits are made in
the USA and carry a Two Year Warranty on workmanship and finish! 65 wheels are fully chrome, 66-67 wheels
use a chrome trim ring. Kits include 4 Wheels, 4 trim rings (66-67 only), 4 Center Caps, and 20 Lug Nuts!
65
66
67
14”X5”; Red Center Cap; Chrome; Set/4 (factory size) ...................................... #1451
14”X5”; Red Center Cap; w/Trim Rings; Set/4 (factory size) .............................. #1452
14”X5½”; Blue Center Cap; w/Trim Rings; Set /4 (factory size) .......................... #1453
$744.95 kit
$808.95 kit
$828.95 kit
INDIVIDUAL STYLE STEEL WHEELS
65
66
67
14”X 5”; Chrome; w/o Center Cap (factory size) ................................................. #1448
14”X 5”; w/o Center Cap or Trim Ring (factory size) ........................................... #1449
14”X 5½”; w/o Center Cap or Trim Ring (factory size) ........................................ #1450
$145.00 ea
$125.00 ea
$125.00 ea
Chrome Style Steel Wheel Kits
These fully chrome wheels come available in non standard sizes for those who want to give their
Mustang the factory look but in a wider/larger size wheel! Kits include center caps and lug nuts!
65-66
65-66
65-66
67
67
67
68-69
14”X6”; w/Red Center Cap ........................................................ #533
14”X7”; w/Red Center Cap ........................................................ #4690
15”X7”; w/Red Center Cap ........................................................ #2551
15”X7”; w/Blue Center Cap ....................................................... #2550
14”X7”; w/Blue Center Cap ....................................................... #348
14”X6”; w/Blue Center Cap ....................................................... #5005
15”X7; w/Center Cap ................................................................. #3562
$769.95
$786.95
$803.95
$823.95
$806.95
$784.95
$803.95
kit
kit
kit
kit
kit
kit
kit
#348
INDIVIDUAL WHEELS
Individual wheels are sold as bare wheels only, less center cap and lug nuts. Perfect for those
who want a matching spare wheel and tire.
65-67
65-67
65-67
65-67
14”X 6” ....................................................................................... #1445
14” X 7” ...................................................................................... #1446
15” X 7” ...................................................................................... #1447
15”X 8” ....................................................................................... #4814
$148.95
$153.95
$157.95
$164.95
ea
ea
ea
ea
#3562
Magnum 500 Style Wheels
These wheels will give your Mustang the classic Magnum 500 look and are a must for your Boss or Mach 1!
Individual wheels are sold less center cap and lug nuts.
14”X 7”, w/2” center hole for 1969 ........................................................................... #3566
14”X 6”, w/2 1/8” center hole ................................................................................... #10055
15”X 8”, w/2 1/8” center hole ................................................................................... #3551
14”X 7”, w/2 1/8” center hole ................................................................................... #3564
15”X 7”, w/2 1/8” center hole ................................................................................... #3565
15”X 7”, w/2” center hole ......................................................................................... #3567
17”X 8”, w/2 1/8” center hole ................................................................................... #7463
$219.95
$152.95
$169.95
$163.95
$164.95
$183.95
$297.95
ea
ea
ea
ea
ea
ea
ea
15”X 7”, w/2” center hole, Set includes center caps and lug nuts! ........................ #4613
Set of 4 $829.95
Ansen Spirit Slotted Mag Wheels
The classic slotted mag is back! Get classic muscle car looks with this great looking wheel!
15” X 7” 4” back spacing, 4lug.
$174.95 ea
SAVE BIG! Set of 4 #12047
ORDER ONLINE!
mustangsplus.com
$629.95 set
RESTOMOD
HEADQUARTERS
Wheels 281
17” x 8” Hopster
These top quality wheels will look great on your restomod! Buy a complete set of four at a great price.
17” x 8” with 4 ¾” back spacing. #4380
$259.95 ea
SAVE BIG! Set of 4 $935.00 set
17” Shelby Torque Thrust M Wheels
65-73 17” x 8”, 4½” backspace
5 x 4½ bolt pattern .........................................#14014
$ 229.95 ea
$ 827.95 set/4
15” Torque Thrust Original Wheels
Try on these 5 spoke original design one piece wheels! Features a light texture painted center and
machined lip. Center caps included.
65-73
65-73
15”X 7” 3¾” Back Spacing ........... #10855
15”X 8” 3¾” Back Spacing ........... #13377
$234.95 ea
$244.95 ea
$ 705.95 set/4
$ 881.95 set/4
Torque Thrust II
Two-piece aluminum design, fully polished, includes aluminum center cap. Uses tapered style lug nuts.
65-73
65-73
65-73
65-73
65-73
65-73
65-73
65-73
65-73
65-73
65-73
14”X 6” 3 3/8” Back Spacing .......... #11425
15”X 6” 3 3/8” Back Spacing .......... #7469
15”X 7” 3¾” Back Spacing ........... #5809
15”X 8” 3¾” Back Spacing ........... #6025
15”X 10” 3¾” Back Spacing ......... #11828
16”X 7” 4” Back Spacing .............. #5996
16”X 8” 4” Back Spacing .............. #5995
16”X 8” 47/8” Back Spacing ........... #5997
17”X7” 4” Back Spacing ............... #5125
17”x 8” 4¾” Back Spacing ............ #5281
18”X 8” 5” Back Spacing .............. #11818
$234.95
$234.95
$249.95
$264.95
$284.95
$264.95
$269.95
$269.95
$314.95
$324.95
$449.95
ea
ea
ea
ea
ea
ea
ea
ea
ea
ea
ea
$ 845.95
$ 845.95
$ 899.95
$ 953.95
$1,025.95
$ 953.95
$ 971.95
$ 971.95
$1,129.95
$1,169.95
$1,619.95
set/4
set/4
set/4
set/4
set/4
set/4
set/4
set/4
set/4
set/4
set/4
15” X 7” (#5809)
18” X 8” (#11818)
(#5997 back spacing will not work with stock application)
Torque Thrust D
The classic is back with American Racing! Get classic muscle car looks with this great looking wheel!
Uses tapered style lug nuts. Price includes center cap.
65-73
65-73
65-73
65-73
65-73
65-73
65-73
282 Wheels
14”X6” 3 3/8” Back Spacing ............... #1454
15”X6” 3 5/8” Back Spacing ............... #2388
15”X7” 3 ¾” Back Spacing ............... #1455
15”X8½” 3 ¾” Back Spacing ............ #1456
15”X10” 3 ¾” Back Spacing ............. #1457
15”X4½” 2 1/8” Back Spacing ............ #6487
16”X 8” 4” Back Spacing .................. #12509
RESTORATION
HEADQUARTERS
$204.95
$214.95
$191.00
$239.95
$259.95
$214.95
$259.95
ea
ea
ea
ea
ea
ea
ea
$737.95
$773.95
$691.95
$863.95
$935.95
$773.95
$935.95
set/4
set/4
set/4
set/4
set/4
set/4
set/4
ORDER TOLL FREE!
1-800-999-4289
Chrome Torque Thrust D
These wheels feature the same award winning design and quality you’ve come to expect from American
Racing. Guaranteed to brighten your Mustang.
65-73 15”X7” 3 ¾” Back Spacing #7298
$329.95 ea
SAVE BIG! Set of 4 $1,187.95
Vintage 40
Classic design in both in one-piece and also two piece wheel. Perfect for the finishing touch on your
Mustang project. Surely to make your pony an eye catcher from the ground up! Price includes lug nuts
and center caps.
One-Piece Wheel
15”X7” 3 7/8” back spacing ..................... #10603
16”X8” 4 ½” back spacing...................... #7681
Two-Piece Wheel
17”X7” 3¾” back spacing....................... #13915
17”X8” 4½” back spacing....................... #10602
17”X9½” 5 ½” back spacing.................... #10601
$199.95 ea
$249.95 ea
$279.95 ea
$299.95 ea
$319.95 ea
From
$199.95 ea
Vintage 45
More muscle car styling in one-piece and also two-piece wheel. Perfect for the finishing touch on your
Mustang project. Surely to make your pony an eye catcher from the ground up! Price includes lug nuts
and center caps.
One-Piece Wheel
15”X7” 3 7/8” back spacing .................. #10607
16”X8” 4½” back spacing ................... #4834
Two-Piece Wheel
17”X7” 3¾” back spacing ................... #10606
17”X8” 4½” back spacing ................... #10605
17”X9½” 5½” back spacing ................... #10604
$199.95 ea
$249.95 ea
$279.95 ea
$299.95 ea
$319.95 ea
SAVE BIG!
Set of 4
16x8 #4834
$995.00 set
Vintage 48
Designed in the tradition of the Mini-Lites, this 16”X8” wheel is destined to be an instant classic. Take advantage
of this great wheel at a great price! Place your order for a set today! Price includes lug nuts and center caps.
16”X8” 4 ½” back spacing................. #5850
16”X8” 4 ½” back Spacing (4 Lug).... #7536
17”X8” 4 ½” back spacing................. #14299
$249.95 ea
$249.95 ea
$299.95 ea
$ 995.00 set/4
$ 995.00 set/4
$1,079.00 set/4
Powder coating options available.
Vintage 50
A Beautiful Reproduction of the Original 10-Spoke Wheel! The very best from Vintage Wheel Works!
65-73 15”X7” 3 7/8” back Spacing ...... #10608
65-73 16”X8” 4 ½” back spacing ........ #7535
ORDER ONLINE!
mustangsplus.com
$199.95 ea
$249.95 ea
$749.95 set/4
$995.00 set/4
RESTOMOD
HEADQUARTERS
Wheels 283
Vintage 60
A beautiful 10-Spoke 2piece wheel! Nothing but the very best from Vintage Wheel Works!
65-73 17”X8” 4 ¾” back spacing; Standard caps and lug nuts included. #12341
Spinner Caps
Also Available
$299.95 ea
Mustang Mach I Wheels for Newer Mustangs
These wheels will give your newer Mustang a great Mach I look!
17” x 8” w/ 5.72” back spacing, comes complete with center cap.
94-04
..........................................................................................#10574
$179.00 ea
1998 Silver Mustang Cobra Wheel
A great addition to your Mustang; 17x8”, 5.72” Backspace
94-04 ......................................................................................................... #6777
$175.00 ea
1995 Cobra R Wheel
A great addition to your Mustang; 5 lug; 17”x9” 5.98” back space..
94-04 ...............................................................................................#11641
284 Wheels
$175.00 ea
RESTORATION
HEADQUARTERS
ORDER TOLL FREE!
1-800-999-4289
10th Anniversary Cobra Wheel
A great addition to your Mustang; 5 lug; 17”x9” 6.12” back space..
94-04 Charcoal metallic finish ......................................................#13877
$195.00 ea
SS Wheel
Includes lug nuts only.
65-73 17x8, SS chrome aluminum w/ 4.75”
back space, ............................................. #13796
94-04 17x8, SS chrome aluminum w/ 5.30”
back space, ............................................. #13797
$ 349.95 ea
$ 349.95 ea
Cobra R Wheel
A sharp addition to enhance your Mustang; 4lug; 4.25 bolt circle; 17”x8” 5.15” back space.
79-93 Silver ............................................................................#7324
79-93 Chrome.........................................................................#5408
$175.95 ea
$295.95 ea
Charcoal GT Wheel
Great for your late model Mustang ; 5 lug; 17”x8” 5.72” back space..
94-04 ......................................................................................................... #8121
ORDER ONLINE!
mustangsplus.com
RESTOMOD
HEADQUARTERS
$100.00 ea
Wheels 285
10 Spoke Wheel
Includes center caps and lugs
65-73 14x6, 10 spoke aluminum w/ 3.88”
back space .............................................. #13791
65-73 14x8, 10 spoke aluminum w/ 3.88”
back space .............................................. #13792
65-73 17x8, 10 spoke aluminum w/ 4.75”
back space .............................................. #13793
65-73 17x8, 10 spoke aluminum w/ 4.75”
back space blk ........................................ #13794
65-73 17x8, 10 spoke aluminum w/ 5.30”
back space, ............................................. #13795
$ 299.95 ea
$ 319.95 ea
$ 324.95 ea
$ 349.95 ea
$ 324.95 ea
Boyd Coddington Magneato Wheel
Boyd Coddington/American Racing 0 offset. Requires use of lug nut #13777
and Socket #13776.
Magneato 17x8 wheel, 4.5 B.S, 5x4.5,
2 piece polished alloy.............................. #13778
Magneato 18x8 wheel, 4.5 B.S, 5x4.5,
2 piece polished alloy.............................. #13782
$ 375.95 ea
$ 460.95 ea
Boyd Coddington Crown Jewel Wheel
Boyd Coddington/American Racing 0 offset.
Requires use of lug nut #13777 and Socket #13776.
Crown Jewel 18x8 wheel, 4.5 B.S, 5x4.5,
1 piece chrome alloy ............................... #13779
Crown Jewel 17x8 wheel, 4.5 B.S, 5x4.5,
1 piece chrome alloy ............................... #13780
Crown Jewel 17x7 wheel, 4.5 B.S, 5x4.5,
1 piece chrome alloy ............................... #13781
$ 409.95 ea
$ 324.95 ea
$ 324.95 ea
Boyd Coddlington Wheels Lug Nut Socket & Lug Nuts
Lug nut socket......................................... #13776
$
3.95 ea
1/2” spline closed in lug nuts................... #13777 $ 1.25 ea*
*requires use of lug nut socket #13776, requires key socket
286 Wheels
RESTORATION
HEADQUARTERS
ORDER TOLL FREE!
1-800-999-4289
Themed Valve Stem Cap Set with Key Fobs
Absolutely Fobulous
Wheely Cool Product!
Choose from Running Horse,
SVT, Cobra Logo, Coiled Cobra, or Ford themed valve stem
caps! Kit comes complete with
4 caps and a themed key ring
fob that doubles as a valve cap
tightener.
CHOOSE YOUR FAVORITE
MUSTANG THEME!
THEMED CHROME CAP SETS WITH KEY FOB
THEMED BLACK CAP SETS WITH KEY FOB
Logo Chrome; 4 Caps + Billet Key Fob w/Ford ...... #10874
$26.95 set
Black; 4 Caps + Billet Key Fob w/Ford ...................#10897
$26.95 set
Chrome; 4 Caps + Billet Key Fob w/Coiled Cobra . #10875
$26.95 set
Black; 4 Caps + Billet Key Fob w/Coiled Cobra .....#10896
$26.95 set
Chrome; 4 Caps + Billet Key Fob w/Run Horse ..... #10873
$26.95 set
Black; 4 Caps + Billet Key Fob w/ Run Horse ........#10878
$26.95 set
Chrome; 4 Caps + Billet Key Fob w/SVT ............... #10872
$26.95 set
Black; 4 Caps + Billet Key Fob w/ SVT ..................#10877
$26.95 set
Chrome; 4 Caps + Billet Key Fob w/Cobra Logo.... #10876
$26.95 set
Black; 4 Caps + Billet Key Fob w/Cobra logo .........#10879
$26.95 set
VHT Polyurethane Wheel Paint
Style Steel Wheel Accent Kit
68-69 Styled steel wheel accents; 50 pice kit;
snaps on to your style steel wheel.. ........#12665
$ 99.95 kit
Center Cap Screw Repair Kit
Gloss Black.......................................................... #12280
Ford Argent Silver ................................................ #12281
Aluminum............................................................. #12282
Satin Black........................................................... #12283
$
$
$
$
11.95
11.95
11.95
11.95
ea
ea
ea
ea
VHT Flame Proof Primer
Flat White; Flame proof primer. ........................... #12269
One kit repairs one wheel, screw kit see part # 11414. Repairs screw holes
for Torq Thrust wheel center caps.
ALL
Center cap screw repair kit ..................... #13543
$
3.95 kit
Vintage 60 Spinner Caps
$ 11.95 ea
VHT Caliper, Drum & Rotor Paint
Racing Red; Temps to 9000 ................................. #12274
Bright Blue; Temps to 9000 .................................. #12275
Gloss Black; Temps to 9000 ................................. #12276
Cast Aluminum; Temps to 9000 ............................ #12277
Bright Yellow; Temps to 9000 ............................... #12278
Satin Black; Temps to 9000 .................................. #12279
ORDER ONLINE!
mustangsplus.com
$
$
$
$
$
$
11.95
11.95
11.95
11.95
11.95
11.95
ea
ea
ea
ea
ea
ea
65-73 Set of 4 .................................... #12342
RESTOMOD
HEADQUARTERS
$299.95 set
Wheels 287
Hubcaps
Simulated Style Steel Wheel Covers
HAVE THE CLASSIC MUSTANG LOOK IN LESS THAN 10 MINUTES!
These covers are a quick and easy way to dress up your Mustang without investing your life
savings! Give your 4-Lug 6 Cylinder wheels the 5-Lug V8 look.
65-66
65-66
14”; Set/4 ................................................................................... #14599
14”; Single Cover....................................................................... #14600
65 Standard 14” Wheel Cover
$134.95 set
$ 42.95 ea
65 Spinner for 14” Wheel Cover
Cap sold
seperately
65
65
65
Standard 14” wheel cover w/out emblem ....#394
$ 59.95 ea
Mustang emblem .........................................#12529 $ 14.95 ea
Spinner for 14” wheel cover ........................#3358
$ 58.95 ea
Style Steel Wheel Trim Rings
65 Standard 14” Wheel Cover
Cap sold
seperately
66
66
Standard 14” wheel cover w/out emblem ....#395
$ 59.95 ea
Center emblem ............................................#12444 $ 17.95 ea
66
67
14” x 5” wheel trim rings; Set of 4...............#2421 $129.95 set
14” x 5½” wheel trim ring ............................#11381 $ 32.95 ea
68-69 7½” Caps
65-66 14” Wire Wheel Cover
Cap sold
seperately
65-66 Wire 14” wheel cover. ..................................#12539 $ 79.95 ea
65-66 Cap Wire Spinner w/Crest. ..........................#4880 $ 56.95 ea
288 Wheels
68-69 7½” standard cap for style steel wheels ......#4904
68-69 GT center hub cap for style steel wheels ....#3518
RESTORATION
HEADQUARTERS
$ 32.95 ea
$ 35.95 ea
ORDER TOLL FREE!
1-800-999-4289
Center Caps
Style Steel Wheel Center Cap Kits
Blue Style Steel Wheel Center Cap
67
............................................................... #2
Dress up your Mustang’s Style Steel Wheels with, well, style! The kit
includes 4 black and chrome caps plus the hardware to install them!
65-66 Black....................................................... #4495
65-66 Blue ........................................................ #6912
$ 29.95 ea
Cobra R Wheel Center Cap
$ 99.95 kit
$ 99.95 kit
Black Style Steel Wheel Center Cap
All
Center Cap For Cobra R Wheels
#10853
$ 68.00 ea
GT 350 Wheel Cap
Dress up your Mustang’s Style Steel Wheels with, style!
65-66
............................................................... #11260
$ 24.95 ea
Red Style Steel Wheel Center Cap
All
GT 350 Center wheel cap. ....................... #1215
$ 44.95 ea
69-73 Magnum 500 Cap
Dress up your Mustang’s Style Steel Wheels with, style!
65-66
............................................................... #390
$ 28.95 ea
Blue Style Steel Wheel Center Cap
69-70 For wheels w/ 2 1/8” center holes. .66 tall #4
69-73 For wheels w/ 2 1/8” center holes 1” tall... #5
$ 32.95 ea
$ 32.95 ea
67-68 Cougar Center Cap
Dress up your Mustang’s Style Steel Wheels with, style!
65-66
............................................................... #7623
$ 24.95 ea
67-68 Cougar center cap for style steel wheels ....#6743
69-70 Cougar Center Cap
Shelby Center Cap
66-67 Center Cap For 10 Spoke Wheels
ORDER ONLINE!
mustangsplus.com
#1021
$ 34.95 ea
$ 22.95 ea
69-70 Cougar center cap for style steel wheels ....#5932
RESTOMOD
HEADQUARTERS
$ 34.95 ea
Wheels 289
Center Caps
ENGRAVED RESTOMOD Billet Aluminum
Restomod Billet Center Caps
For FORD Wheels!
Each cap is notched on all 5 sides
to match the factory machining of
the Ford wheels!
The wheel center caps that come with new American Racing Torque
Thrust and Torque II Wheels are designed to work with the wider CHEVY
bolt pattern. This means that trying to get a socket on the lug nuts, with
the wheel center caps on the wheel, is very difficult. Unless you remove
the cap, the socket has to be inserted at an angle which damages the
lug nuts and can also damage the center cap. Removing the center cap
is time consuming and tends to strip the holes. Our Billet Wheel Center
Caps have the correct “notch” made in them to let the socket go on the
lug nut correctly! Machined finish matches original Torque Thrust D, easily
polished for use on Torque II’s!
Notched on all 5 sides.
Set of 4
CAP FITS TORQUE
THRUST II WHEELS
65-73 Clear RESTOMOD .................................#10567
$ 95.95 set
65-73 Billet Center Cap ................................. #7191
$104.95 set/4
Billet Hubcaps for Vintage & Torq Thrust Wheels
Billet GT Emblem Caps
GT Emblem Caps, For Torq Thrust wheels ............#10555
GT Emblem Caps, For Vintage type wheels ..........#10556
$110.95 set of 4
$110.95 set of 4
Billet No Emblem Caps
No Emblem Caps, For Torq Thrust wheels .............#10557
No Emblem Caps, For Vintage type wheels ...........#10558
$110.95 set of 4
$103.95 set of 4
Notched on all 5 sides.
Billet Cobra Emblem Caps
Cobra Emblem Caps, For Torq Thrust wheels .......#10561
Cobra Emblem Caps, For Vintage type wheels......#10562
$151.95 set of 4
$151.95 set of 4
Billet Horse Emblem Caps
Horse Emblem Caps, For Torq Thrust wheels ........#10559
Horse Emblem Caps, For Vintage type wheels ......#10560
290 Wheels
RESTORATION
HEADQUARTERS
$110.95 set of 4
$110.95 set of 4
ORDER TOLL FREE!
1-800-999-4289
Wheel
Universal 5 Lug Wheel Adapter
Customer Corral
Hi Mustangs Plus
All
1” Wheel spacer; 5-lug 5x4½” to 5x4½” ...#10217 $ 68.95 pr
It’s finally finished thanks to Mustangs Plus. Here are some photos. As
you can see it turned out very well.
Wheel Studs
(#2431)
65-73
65-73
Front w/drum; V8 ................................... #2430
Rear w/drum: V8 ................................... #2431
$
$
3.95 ea
4.95 ea
Racing Wheel Stud Sets
65-73
65-73
Front set of 5. ........................................ #10209 $111.95 set
Rear set of 5. ......................................... #10210 $ 14.95 set
Lug Nuts
(#4323)
(#2787)
(#4376)
(#10376)
(#12115)
65-73
65-73
65-70
65-70
69-70
69-70
Standard ................................................ #4323
Acorn ..................................................... #2787
Style Steel Wheel; Drake ...................... #4376
Style Steel Wheel .................................. #997
500 Wheel ............................................. #10376
Vintage Wheels, Pack of 5 .................... #12115
$
$
$
$
$
$
.95
1.95
2.95
2.95
2.95
8.95
ea
ea
ea
ea
ea
pk
Wheel Locks
#2497)
65-73
65-73
65-73
(#4201)
Acorn style; Set/4 .................................. #2497 $ 24.95 set
Mag lug; Set/4 ....................................... #4201 $ 22.95 set
Chrome Premium Acorn Style; Set/4..... #10428 $ 23.95 set
Dial Type Tire Pressure Gauges
(#5056)
(#5055)
(#5057)
(#5058)
Add a personal touch to your Mustang with a tire pressure gauge
Mustangs Plus! Choose from 4 styles! Includes storage case!
65-73 Mustang................................................... #5056
$ 19.95
65-73 Shelby ..................................................... #5055
$ 19.95
65-73 Cobra....................................................... #5057
$ 19.95
65-73 Boss 302 ................................................. #5058
$ 19.95
ORDER ONLINE!
mustangsplus.com
from
The body, paint and upholstery work was done by Leo Guerette of
Fallon Nevada. It is Wimbledon white with saddle interior, powered
by a 351W that has been modified with suspension by Grab-A-Trak, it
drives like it’s on rails! Very nice.
ea
ea
ea
ea
RESTOMOD
HEADQUARTERS
Thanks for all your help,
- W. C. Davis
Wheels 291
BACK SPACING
You’ll Sleep Better After Tucking Your Tires and Wheels In!
TEXT AND PHOTOGRAPHY
BY RON BRAMLETT
OF MUSTANGS PLUS
As many of you know, my wife, Cindy, and I drive this
Restomod Mustang to shows all over the country. This April,
we made the 5,000 mile round trip to the 40th Mustang Anniversary
Show in Nashville, Tennessee. By the time you read this, we will have
driven it to Wells, Nevada for the Wells Fun Run, to Park City, Utah
for the Northern Utah Mustang Owners Association’s MCA Mustang
Car Show, to Santa Barbara, California for the Beach Cities Mustang
Club’s Show at the Queen Mary and will probably be getting ready
to drive it to Las Vegas, Nevada for the Mustang Club of Las Vegas’
Bright Lights City Cruise and Show. Each time we go on one of these
long distance drives, our poor little pony is loaded down when we
leave the house and loaded even more, thanks to the fact that Cindy
just loves to shop, by the time we get home. One thing we can’t have
on our trips is tire rub. Having wheels with the correct back spacing
is what allows us to run the nice wide tires and wheels you see here
without having to worry about tearing up the tires that we’ve paid
hundreds of dollars for; and enduring the agony of having to listen
to it as it happens!
As Restomods become more and more popular, we are constantly
asked the question “How big of tires and wheels can I get on my early
model Mustang?” The answer is, it depends on the back spacing of
the wheel that you are trying to use. Back spacing is the X-Y factor
that determines if your Mustang will suffer from that acute affliction
we call “Tire Rub”. And, none of us want our ponies to suffer from
this nagging type of hoof disease! In real terms, back spacing refers
to the distance between the back face of the wheel, which is the area
that is bolted against the brake drum or brake rotor by the lug nuts,
and the back side of the rim of the wheel. When comparing the same
width wheels, the greater this distance is, the further the wheel and
tire set into the fender. Getting this measurement right is the difference
between having a smooth driving Mustang that’s a joy to drive or
having a Mustang with a tire rubbing problem that drives you crazy.
It takes a lot of fun out of driving if you constantly have to cringe in
the seat every time you hit a bump or pull into a parking lot, waiting
to see if one of your tires is going to rub.
Cindy and I have owned our 1965 Black Restomod Coupe for 24
292 Wheels
years. It has been a test bed for many of the Grab-A-Trak suspension
products that Mustangs Plus sells today. It has had many different tire
and wheel combinations tried on it with these suspension products.
As it sets today, it has been lowered 2” all the way around from the
stock height. It is equipped with American Racing 17” x 8” Torque II
wheels with a 4 3/4” back space. The tires are 235/45-17” BF Goodrich
g-force T/A’s. This is the best fitting wheel and tire combination I’ve
been able to find for my 1965 Restomod Mustang. The 235 size fits
the 8” rim very nicely and the tire doesn’t get lost in the wheel well.
Because we put so many miles on our Restomod Mustang, I prefer to
have the same size tires on all four corners. This way I can rotate the
tires and wheels for better tire wear. Going to a 245/45-17” tire makes
it necessary to roll the fender lips, something I find most Restomod
builders prefer not to do.
I know this will sound strange, coming from someone who is so
closely associated with Restomods, but as I stated above, I didn’t want
to roll the fender lips when I put the first set of 17” x 8” wheels on
my 1965 several years ago. So I started looking at how to get a larger
wheel under the car that would extend in towards the frame, not out
towards the fender. I found that the biggest problem that all the 1965
to 1973 Mustangs have with the front end is upper ball joint clearance.
Did you know that a 17” x 8” wheel will fit these cars much better
than a 16” x 8” wheel? The reason is that the upper ball joint is almost
right in line with the edge of the rim on a 16” wheel which limits the
amount of back space that the wheel can have. And that means that
on an 8” wheel with less back spacing, the front of the rim is moved
closer to the fender and can create tire to fender rub, especially on
1965 and 1966 Mustangs. But the extra 1/2” of height that a 17” wheel
has on the top and bottom allows the rim to just slightly pass over the
top of the upper control arm. So 17” wheels can set further into the
wheel well allowing more clearance to the tire and fender. Of course
18” and larger diameter wheels are even better, if you can find them
with the correct back space.
As an added note, 1967 to 1973 Mustangs have much larger fender
openings so tire rubbing is a lot less of a problem. But, too much back
spacing can allow tires to rub on the frame when turning, especially
when parking. This can be worse than rubbing on the outside of the
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tire because you can be totally unaware of a rubbing problem until
you have ruined a tire. Be sure to check the tire to frame clearance
if you use a wheel with a lot of back spacing.
On the rear of our little ponies, most of us look at the rear leaf
springs and see that there is a lot of distance between them and the
tire. So we assume that a wider tire and wheel will fit. But the leaf
spring is not what will interfere with the tire first. The first place
your rear tires will rub is on the front inside inner fender wheel well
housing. Be sure to check this area for rubbing when using wheels
with a lot of back spacing. The second place is on the back of the
wheel well housing. Also, when changing from drum to disc brakes
in the rear, remember that the brake drum you’re taking off the car
will be thinner than the brake rotor that you’re putting on the car.
This will move the rear tires just that much closer to the rear fender
lips so you could have some tire rub where you had none before.
Remember, I said that you could have some tire rub, not that you
will.
So what is the correct back spacing for our early Mustangs? Check
out the chart for the most popular sizes of wheels and tires. Use this
3”
5”
This diagram shows exactly what back spacing is. The left edge of the wheel is the front
of the wheel that faces the fender. The right
edge of the wheel is the inside of the wheel
which faces the frame of the car. The line
through the wheel shows exactly where the
face of the wheel, the area that bolts to the
brake drum or brake rotor, is. As you can
see, on this 8” wide wheel, 3” of the wheel
is towards the fender while the remaining
5” of the wheel, which is the back space, is
to the inside.
Wheel
Size
Back
Spacing
14’” x 7”
3 3/4” to 4”
195/70-14”
205/60-14”
215/60-14”
7.80”
8.20”
8.60”
24.92”
23.84”
24.32”
15” x 7”
3 3/4” to 4”
205/60-15”
225/60-15”
225/50-15”
8.20”
9.00”
9.00”
24.84”
25.80”
24.00”
16” x 7”
3 3/4” to 4”
225/60-16”
225/50-16”
245/45-16”
9.00”
9.00”
9.80”
26.80”
25.00”
24.82”
16” x 8”
4 1/2”
225/60-16”
225/50-16”
245/45-16”
9.00”
9.00”
9.80”
26.80”
25.00”
24.82”
17” x 7”
3 3/4” to 4”
235/45-17”
245/45-17”
9.40”
9.80”
25.46”
25.82”
17” x 8”
4 3/4” to 5”
235/45-17”
9.40”
25.46”
18” x 8”
4 3/4” to 5”
245/40-18”
9.80”
25.75”
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Tire
Size
Tread
Size
chart for a rule of thumb, not as fact. Tire shape and the condition of
your Mustang can also effect tire clearance. And the condition and
type of your suspension will also have a effect on tire rub. A worn out
stock suspension that has a lot of travel and bounce will be a lot more
likely to rub than a new firm suspension system that is designed not
to let the body of the car roll. The Mustangs Plus catalog has over 50
different Spring and Handling Kits for you to choose from so there is
one that’s right for your Mustang, how you drive, and which wheel
and tire you want to run.
So remember. Tuck them in and sleep tight!
These pictures show the distance between the ball joint and the wheel on
a 1966 Mustang. The wheel on the left is a 16” x 8” with a 4 1/2” back
space. As you can see, it just barely misses hitting the ball joint. If it had
any more back space, it would run straight into the ball joint. The wheel
on the right is a 17” x 8” with a 4 3/4” back space. As you can see, the
wheel sits over the ball joint without hitting it. The extra 1/4” of back
spacing means that there is an extra 1/4” of tire clearance to the fender
well and when it comes to tire clearance, that’s a bunch!
Tire
Height
Measuring the back spacing on any
wheel can be accomplished by laying a straight edge across the wheel
and measuring down to the surface
that bolts to the brake drum or brake
rotor. This 17” x 8” wheel has a 4
3/4” back space.
The first place your rear tire will
rub in the rear is not on the leaf
spring. It will first rub on the front
inside inner wheel housing that is
shown here. This is a sharp edge
that can be bent inward to clear
the inside edge of the rear tire. But
don’t get too wild with those 5
pound hammers!
What a difference a set of 17” tires and wheels can make! My nephew, Greg
Bramlett, and his wife, Kim, just bought this 1964 ½ convertible, complete
with 1966 spinner hub caps. So something had to be done. By simply bolting
on a cool set of wheels and tires they now have the best of both worlds! A
stock convertible Mustang that’s also a neat Restomod!
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Wheels 293