Wheels
STYLE STEEL WHEEL KITS
CLASSIC
MUSTANG
STYLING
AT A
GREAT
PRICE!
65-66
65-66
65-66
67
67
67
68-69
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
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
kit
kit
kit
$149.95
$149.95
$134.95
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INDIVIDUAL STYLE STEEL WHEELS
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 kit
$786.95 kit
$823.95 kit
$823.95 kit
$806.95 kit
$784.95 kit
Call for Price
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!
#348
CHR
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
$744.95
$808.95
$828.95
14”X 6” .......................................................................... #1445
14” X 7” ......................................................................... #1446
15” X 7” ......................................................................... #1447
15”X 8” .......................................................................... #4814
$148.95
$153.95
$157.95
$164.95
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MAGNUM 500 CLASSIC 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
15”X 7”,
With 2” center hole; includes center caps
and lug nuts!.................................................. #4613
17” X 8” HOPSTER WHEELS
These top quality Hopster wheels will look great on your
restomod! Buy a complete set of four at at great price!
17” x 8” with 4 ¾” back spacing
................................................. #4380
HOPSTER WHEELS WILL GIVE YOU A
“JUMP” ON THE COMPETITION!
$359.95 ea
$219.95
$153.95
$169.95
$164.95
$164.95
$183.95
$297.95
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ea
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SET OF 4
17” x 8”, 4½” backspace
5 x 4½ bolt pattern
................................#14014
SET OF 4
ONLY $1295.95
The classic slotted mag is back! Get classic muscle car
looks with this great looking wheel!
15” X 7” 4” back spacing, 4lug.
#12047................ $174.95 ea
SAVE BIG! SET OF 4
ONLY $629.95
#12047
15” TORQUE THRUST
ORIGINAL WHEELS
65-73
15”X 7” 3¾” Back Spacing
.......................................#10855 $234.95 ea
65-73
15”X 8” 3¾” Back Spacing
.......................................#13377 $244.95 ea
SET OF 4 ONLY $845.95
$ 229.95 ea
HOT BLACK FINISH!
HUGE
SAVINGS!
ANSEN SPIRIT SLOTTED
MAG WHEELS
ONLY $829.95
SHELBY 17” TORQUE
THRUST M WHEELS
65-73
#3562
OME!
CO OL
DISCOUNT!
SET OF 4
ONLY $827.95
Other Sizes Available.
Call for more information.
www.mustangsplus.com
SET OF 4 ONLY $881.95
Try on these 5 spoke
original design 1 piece
wheels! Features a light
texture painted center
and machined lip.
Center caps included.
WHEELS
159
Wheels
TORQUE THRUST II - TWO PIECE WHEELS
65-73 14”X 6” 3 3/8” Back Spacing .............#11425
$234.95
$234.95
65-73 15”X 6” 3 3/8” Back Spacing .............#7469
65-73 15”X 7” 3¾” Back Spacing...............#5809
$249.95
65-73 15”X 8” 3¾” Back Spacing...............#6025
$264.95
65-73 15”X 10” 3¾” Back Spacing.............#11828
$284.95
65-73 16”X 7” 4” Back Spacing..................#5996
$264.95
65-73 16”X 8” 4” Back Spacing..................#5995
$269.95
$269.95
65-73 16”X 8” 4 7/8” Back Spacing .............#5997
65-73 17”X7” 4” Back Spacing...................#5125
$314.95
65-73 17”x 8” 4¾” Back Spacing ...............#5281
$324.95
65-73 18”X 8” 5” Back Spacing..................#11818
$449.95
(#5997 back spacing will not work with stock application)
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
Two-piece aluminum design, fully polished, includes
aluminum center cap. Uses tapered style lug nuts.
BUY MORE
AND $AVE MORE!
CHECK OUT OUR
GREAT PRICING ON
WHEEL SETS OF 4
15” x 7” #5809
18” x 8” #11818
‘65-’73 TORQUE THRUST D WHEELS
‘65-73 CHROME 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.
#1455
65-73
65-73
65-73
65-73
65-73
65-73
65-73
VINTAGE 40
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
$204.95
$214.95
$191.95
$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
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.
Featuring the same winning
design and quality you’ve come
to expect from American Racing.
Guaranteed to impress!
set/4
set/4
set/4
set/4
set/4
set/4
set/4
SET OF 4 ONLY $1,187.95
15”X7” 3 ¾” Back Spacing
.... #7298 $329.95 ea
SS WHEEL - IT’S ENORMOUS!
Includes lug nuts only.
ONE-PIECE WHEEL
15”X7” 3 7/8” back spacing..............................#10603
16”X8” 4 ½” back spacing................................#7681
$199.95
$249.95
ea
ea
$349.95
$369.95
$389.95
ea
ea
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65-73 17x8, SS chrome aluminum
with 4.75” back space
.......... #13796 $ 349.95 ea
TWO-PIECE WHEEL
17”X7” 3¾” back spacing.................................#13915
17”X8” 4½” back spacing.................................#10602
17”X9½” 5 ½” back spacing..............................#10601
VINTAGE 45
17” X 8” & CLASSIC DESIGN!
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”
16”X8”
3 7/8” back spacing ........................#10607
4½” back spacing ...........................#4834
$199.95 ea
$249.95 ea
Bill Croxton
Mustangs Plus’ April Car Show
TWO-PIECE WHEEL
17”X7”
17”X8”
17”X9½”
3¾” back spacing ...........................#10606
4½” back spacing ...........................#10605
5½” back spacing ...........................#10604
VINTAGE
48
AGGRESSIVE 8
SPOKE DESIGN!
$349.95 ea
$369.95 ea
$389.95 ea
WE CARRY CLASSIC WHEELS FOR YOUR PRIZED PONIES!
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
$249.95
$369.95
160
set/4
set/4
set/4
CONFUSED ABOUT BACKSPACING? DON’T BE!
A Beautiful Reproduction of the Original 10-Spoke Wheel!
The very best from Vintage Wheel Works!
WHEELS
$ 995.00
$ 995.00
$1,449.00
POWDER COATING OPTIONS AVAILABLE.
VINTAGE 50
65-73
65-73
ea
ea
ea
15”X7” 3 7/8” back Spacing ......#10608
16”X8” 4 ½” back spacing .........#7535
$199.95 ea
$249.95 ea
$749.95 set/4
$995.00 set/4
SEE OUR INFORMATIVE ARTICLE IN THIS
WHEEL SECTION ON PAGE 163-164
CALL TOLL FREE 1-800-999-4289
MUSTANGS PLUS
1964½ - ‘73
CATALOG
Wheels
10 SPOKE
WHEELS
THEMED VALVE STEM
CAPS WITH KEY FOBS
INCLUDES
CENTER CAPS
AND LUG NUTS!
65-73
65-73
65-73
65-73
65-73
14x6, 10 spoke aluminum with 3.88”
back space ................. #13791 $ 299.95
14x8, 10 spoke aluminum with 3.88”
back space ................. #13792 $ 319.95
17x8, 10 spoke aluminum with 4.75”
back space ................. #13793 $ 324.95
17x8, 10 spoke aluminum with 4.75”
back space blk ............ #13794 $ 349.95
17x8, 10 spoke aluminum with 5.30”
back space, ................ #13795 $ 324.95
What a 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.
CENTER CAP
SCREW REPAIR KIT
One kit repairs one wheel, screw kit see part # 11414.
Repairs screw holes for Torq Thrust wheel center caps.
ALL
.................................... #13543 $
3.95 kit
VINTAGE 60 SPINNER CAPS
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65-73 Set of 4 ........................ #12342
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ABSOLUTELY FOBULOUS!!
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BOYD CODDINGTON
MAGNETO WHEELS
CHROME CAP SETS WITH BILLET KEY FOB
4 Caps; Ford logo ....................... #10874
4 Caps; Coiled Cobra ................. #10875
4 Caps; Runing Horse ................ #10873
4 Caps; SVT ............................... #10872
4 Caps; Cobra logo..................... #10876
$26.95 set
$26.95 set
$26.95 set
$26.95 set
$26.95 set
$299.95 set
SIMULATED STYLE STEEL
WHEEL COVERS
BLACK CAP SETS WITH BILLET KEY FOB
4 Caps; Ford Logo ...................... #10897
4 Caps; Coiled Cobra ................. #10896
4 Caps; Runing Horse ................ #10878
4 Caps; SVT ............................... #10877
4 Caps; Cobra logo..................... #10879
Boyd Coddington/American
Racing 0 offset. Requires use
of lug nut #13777 and Socket
#13776.
17x8 wheel, 4.5 B.S, 5x4.5, 2 piece polished alloy
.................................... #13778 $ 375.95 ea
18x8 wheel, 4.5 B.S, 5x4.5, 2 piece polished alloy
.................................... #13782 $ 460.95 ea
$26.95 set
$26.95 set
$26.95 set
$26.95 set
$26.95 set
VHT POLYURETHANE
WHEEL PAINT
Gloss Black..................#12280
Ford Argent Silver ........#12281
Aluminum.....................#12282
Satin Black...................#12283
$
$
$
$
11.95
11.95
11.95
11.95
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 $229.95
14”; Single Cover ........ #14600 $ 64.95
set
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1965-68 WHEEL COVERS
BOYD CODDINGTON
CROWN JEWEL WHEELS VHT FLAME PROOF PRIMER CAPS SOLD SEPERATELY
65 STANDARD 14”
Flat White; Flame proof primer. #12269 $ 11.95
Boyd Coddington/American
Racing 0 offset. Requires use
of lug nut #13777 and Socket
#13776.
18x8 wheel, 4.5 B.S, 5x4.5, 1 piece chrome alloy
.................................... #13779 $ 409.95 ea
17x8 wheel, 4.5 B.S, 5x4.5, 1 piece chrome alloy
.................................... #13780 $ 324.95 ea
17x7 wheel, 4.5 B.S, 5x4.5, 1 piece chrome alloy
.................................... #13781 $ 324.95 ea
ea
65
VHT CALIPER, DRUM AND
ROTOR PAINT
65
Racing Red; Temps to 900° ...... #12274
Bright Blue; Temps to 900° ....... #12275
Gloss Black; Temps to 900°...... #12276
Cast Aluminum; Temps to 900° #12277
Bright Yellow; Temps to 900° .... #12278
Satin Black; Temps to 900°....... #12279
LUG NUT SOCKET & LUG NUTS
$ 3.95
ea
1/2” spline closed in lug nuts
.....................#13777
$ 1.25
ea*
11.95
11.95
11.95
11.95
11.95
11.95
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STYLE STEEL WHEELS
ACCENTS KIT
BOYD CODDINGTON
Lug nut socket ...........#13776
$
$
$
$
$
$
68-69
*requires lug nut socket #13776, requires key socket
50 pice kit; snaps on to your style steel wheel
.................................... #12665 $ 99.95 kit
www.mustangsplus.com
Without emblem
.... #394
$ 59.95 ea
Mustang emblem
.... #12529 $ 19.95 ea
66 STANDARD 14”
66
66
Without emblem
...... #395 $ 59.95 ea
Center emblem
...... #12444 $ 19.95 ea
65-66 STANDARD 14”
65-66 Wheel cover.
.... #12539 $ 79.95 ea
65-66 Cap Wire Spinner
with Crest.
.... #4880 $ 56.95 ea
WHEELS
161
Wheels
65 SPINNER FOR
14” WHEEL COVER
65
#3358 ........ $ 58.95
WHEEL CENTER CAPS
#1021
67
14” x 5”; Set of 4
...... #2421 $129.95 set
14” x 5½”
...... #11381 $ 32.95 ea
68-69 7½”
CAPS
#4
66-67
67
All
69-70
69-73
67-68
69-70
68-69
Standard cap for style steel wheels
.................................... #4904 $ 32.95
GT center hub cap for style steel wheels
.................................... #3518 $ 35.95
68-69
#1215
#6743
#5932
Shelby for 10 Spoke Wheels
.................................... #1021 $ 19.95
Blue star & horse ........ #2
$ 31.95
GT 350 ........................ #1215 $ 49.95
Magnum 500; for 2 1/8” center holes
.66” tall ....................... #4
$ 32.95
Magnum 500; for 2 1/8” center holes;
1” tall ........................... #5
$ 32.95
Cougar for style steel wheels
.................................... #6743 $ 34.95
Cougar for style steel wheels
Blue center cap........... #5932 $ 34.95
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BILLET ALUMINUM CENTER CAPS
EACH CAP IS NOTCHED
ON ALL 5 SIDES TO
MATCH THE FACTORY
MACHINING OF THE
FORD WHEELS!
$ 99.95
$ 99.95
kit
kit
65-66
65-66
65-66
.................................... #11260 $ 24.95
.................................... #390
$ 28.95
.................................... #7623 $ 24.95
EACH CAP IS NOTCHED ON ALL 5
SIDES TO MATCH THE FACTORY
MACHINING OF THE FORD WHEELS!
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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!
65-73
162
WHEELS
set of 4
set of 4
set of 4
set of 4
set of 4
NOT FOR WHEELS
LARGER THAN 16”
1” Wheel spacer; 5-lug 5x4½” to 5x4½”
.................................... #10217 $ 68.95
pr
65-73
65-73
Front w/drum; V8 ........ #2430
Rear w/drum: V8 ......... #2431
3.95
4.95
ea
ea
65-73
65-73
Front set of 5. ............. #10209 $111.95
Rear set of 5. .............. #10210 $ 15.95
Billet Center Cap
.........................#7191
$104.95 SET OF 4
$
$
set
set
RACING WHEEL STUD SETS
65-73 Clear RESTOMOD ....... #10567 $ 95.95 set
CENTER CAPS FOR FORD WHEELS
Dress up your Mustang’s Style Steel Wheels with style
with your choice of either black, red or blue!
set of 4
#2431
RESTOMOD BILLET
RUNNING HORSE CENTER CAPS
set of 4
WHEEL STUDS
®
STYLE STEEL WHEEL
set of 4
UNIVERSAL 5 LUG WHEEL
ADAPTERS
All
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!
Black ........................... #4495
Blue ............................ #6912
No Emblem Caps for Torq Thrust wheels
.......................... #10557 $103.95
No Emblem Caps for Vintage type wheels
.......................... #10558 $103.95
GT for Torq Thrust wheels
.......................... #10555 $110.95
GT for Vintage type wheels
.......................... #10556 $110.95
Cobra for Torq Thrust wheels
.......................... #10561 $151.95
Cobra for Vintage type wheels
.......................... #10562 $151.95
Horse Emblem for Torq Thrust wheels
.......................... #10559 $110.95
Horse Emblem for Vintage type wheels
.......................... #10560 $110.95
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ENGRAVED RESTOMOD®
STYLE STEEL WHEEL
CENTER CAP KITS
65-66
65-66
FOR VINTAGE & TORQUE THRUST WHEELS
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STYLE STEEL
TRIM RINGS
66
BILLET CENTER CAPS
#2
1965-70
LUG NUTS
#4323
65-73
65-73
65-70
65-70
69-70
69-70
#2787
#12115
#4376
Standard ........................#4323
Acorn .............................#2787
S.Steel Wheel; Drake ....#4376
Style Steel Wheel ..........#997
500 Wheel .....................#10376
Vintage Wheels, 5 pc .....#12115
#10376
$ .95
$ 1.95
$ 2.95
$ 2.95
$ 2.95
$ 8.95
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pk
1965-73 WHEEL LOCKS
#2497
#4201
65-73
65-73
65-73
Acorn style ................... #2497
$ 49.95 set
Magnum lug ................. #4201
$ 22.95 set
Chrome Acorn Style ..... #10428 $ 23.95 set
CALL TOLL FREE 1-800-999-4289
MUSTANGS PLUS
1964½ - ‘73
CATALOG
Wheels
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
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 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.
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WHEELS
163
Wheels
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
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
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.
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!
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!
AND AFTER!
164
WHEELS
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