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  •  » Rim/tire question

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    4/10/2013 6:39 PM  #1

    Mustang390_69
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    Registered: 4/11/2013
    Posts: 4

    Rim/tire question

    Hello!  I have a 1969 mustang coupe with a 390 engine and currently 4 drum brakes, that I am looking to change rims and tires on.  The car has stock springs and has traction bars.  I am specifically looking to add the American Racing Torque Thrust 2s and have found a local guy selling (2) 17x8 with 5x 4.5 lug pattern and a 3.5" back spacing for a very reasonable price.  The wheels have Dunlop sp sport 245/45/17 on them.  I will also be converting the front brakes to disc very soon and dont know if i should purchase anything different when i purchase the other 2 torque thrust 2s to match these used ones.  My question is, not fully understanding the backspacing, if these should work on my application.  Most of the cars I have read about are using a 4.5" backspacing, so I'm not sure if these will fit.  Also, if the disc brake conversion will affect the way i should go about ordering the front wheels.  

    According to the seller, the rims are coming off of a 67 firebird with a Dana rear.
    I appreciate any responses in advance!

     

    4/10/2013 7:09 PM  #2

    jerseyjoe
    I FYI 24-7

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    Registered: 4/01/2013
    Posts: 789

    Re: Rim/tire question

    I would test fit the wheel/tire combo first before I purchased it ...off the top of my head I think it will be too close to the  rear fender opening...the back space is the distance  between the back edge of the rim and the mounting surface of the rim...jj

    "Never put a question mark where God put a period "  Richard Petty
     

    4/10/2013 8:05 PM  #3

    Mustang390_69
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    Posts: 4

    Re: Rim/tire question

    Thanks for the input JJ!

       •Thread Starter
     

    4/10/2013 8:08 PM  #4

    MS
    Forum Originator

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    From: Canyon Lake, Texas
    Registered: 1/24/2013
    Posts: 12,155

    Re: Rim/tire question

    An 8" rim for a 69 would need a 4.5" backspacing to fit correctly.  Yours would stick out 1" farther than they are supposed to, making a for-sure tire rub issue.

    Also, TTII wheels are one of the few that will NOT clear most big disc brake kits, if that matters to you.  You can bolt on a set of 12.5" late model GT brakes for a very reasonable price, but the TTII has inward curved spokes and will not clear.  This picture is a bit exagerated, but you get the idea...


    Money you enjoy wasting is NOT wasted money... unless your wife finds out.
     

    4/10/2013 8:33 PM  #5

    Mustang390_69
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    Posts: 4

    Re: Rim/tire question

    Thanks Mustang Steve!  I believe I just saw your eBay store while searching for the disc conversion you were speaking about.  Is your user name mustangsteve66?  I will probably be purchasing one off of you since its much cheaper than I expected the conversion to cost.  Do you recommend the cobra or the GT kit for my application.  Is a rear disc conversion necessary?  Also, since you seem to know plenty about the older mustangs, what would your suggestion be for my wheel size where I won't need to modify.  I currently have 14s on the front and 15s on the back but would like to go with at least 15-16s on all 4.  Once again, thank you so much for your input!

       •Thread Starter
     

    4/10/2013 9:01 PM  #6

    MS
    Forum Originator

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    From: Canyon Lake, Texas
    Registered: 1/24/2013
    Posts: 12,155

    Re: Rim/tire question

    A popular wheel for that car is the 2001-2004 Bullitt wheel from Ford.  It has deep backspacing and requires adapters, but they do fit it well.  Plus you have to have 17's to clear the big brakes.  (yes, I am mustangsteve66 on ebay).  Hopefull Lil Hoss or Steve69 will chime in as they both have killer looking 69 fastbacks with bigger wheels that actually fit the car.

    My 69 has 15x7 Magnum 500's with stock 4-1/8" backspacing, but the car has original discs and will stay that way.  Steve69 has the factory late model 01-04 bullitts on his red 69.  Lil Hoss has some aftermarket ones on his blue one.  As I recall, they might be bigger than 17".

    BACKSPACING is the key to getting a wheel to fit inside the wheelwells.

    Money you enjoy wasting is NOT wasted money... unless your wife finds out.
     

    4/10/2013 9:51 PM  #7

    Kaz
    FYI FORD Member

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    From: Gun Barrel City, Texas
    Registered: 4/02/2013
    Posts: 13

    Re: Rim/tire question

    I have a '69  Mach I,  with 17x8  rims, 4.5 in offset. I am using 245/45/17 tires and MS Cobra brake kit.
    It looks good and it works great.
    Cannot post pics,,???
    I will try it later

    Kaz

    '69 Q  CODE
     

    4/10/2013 10:02 PM  #8

    Kaz
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    From: Gun Barrel City, Texas
    Registered: 4/02/2013
    Posts: 13

    Re: Rim/tire question

    MS   Cobra Brakes


    MS Cobra Brakes

    Last edited by Kaz (4/10/2013 10:13 PM)

    '69 Q  CODE
     

    4/10/2013 10:11 PM  #9

    Kaz
    FYI FORD Member

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    From: Gun Barrel City, Texas
    Registered: 4/02/2013
    Posts: 13

    Re: Rim/tire question

    '69 Q  CODE
     

    4/11/2013 6:00 PM  #10

    Mustang390_69
    Active Member

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    Registered: 4/11/2013
    Posts: 4

    Re: Rim/tire question

    I can not thank you guys enough!  

    Kaz, your car is a beast!  Looks amazing.  Thanks for the pics/info

    MustangSteve-  I'll def be buying the conversion kit off of you.  Most likely within the next 2wks-1month.  You wouldn't happen to have a suggestion on where to buy the Bullit rims by any chance would you?

    thanks again!

       •Thread Starter
     

    4/12/2013 10:40 PM  #11

    McStang
    I FYI 24-7

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    From: Benicia, CA
    Registered: 4/01/2013
    Posts: 495

    Re: Rim/tire question

    MustangSteve wrote:

     This picture is a bit exagerated, but you get the idea...

    I really fail to see what is wrong with this picture... Could it be envy that spurs your spite? ;)

    (Pinto!)
     

     

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