FYI FORD MustangSteve's Ford Mustang Forum / How To install 17x8 1994-2004 Mustang wheels rear of 65/66 Mustang

**Posted by MS** 1/28/2017 11:16 AM

To correctly fit the 94-04 17x8 wheels from a Mustang GT on your 65-66 Mustang rear end, the axle needs to be 1" wider than the stock 57-1/4".
You can use longer studs and 1/2" spacers on each side, or you can build a custom rear end as I did on my 66 fastback. After many years of having different rear ends in my car, I finally decided to do it right and build exactly what I wanted. These dimensions will fit the car in the best possible way using those wheels and 245x45/17 tires.
This was the design I used , and is set up for Cobra brakes.

**Posted by Chaplin** 2/22/2017 7:56 AM

Hi Steve-
Question for you. An ad popped up on my local Craigslist for "17 inch aftermarket Mustang wheels" which are exactly the style of wheel I want and the price is great ($200 for the set!). The wheels are currently installed on an '03 Mustang, which from the pics appears to be at a scrap yard. The seller only knows that the wheels are 17x8, but doesn't know the brand of the wheels or any of the other specs like back spacing. For purposes of this discussion, let's assume they are the same specs as the factory 94-04 wheels.

If you do not use spacers on the rear, where do you run into the fitment problems with the 94-04 wheels on 65-66 cars? When I had my new rear wheel wells installed I did the "poor man's mini tub" and pie cut the front of the wheel well and pushed the inner edge of the wheel well flat against the frame rail. Do you think that solves the problem of needing spacers or will the wheels rub somewhere else like the springs?

Is there any way to run the 94-04 wheel on the front of a 65-66?

Last edited by Chaplin (2/25/2017 3:50 PM)

**Posted by MS** 2/25/2017 2:31 PM

You might get rears to bolt right on. Fronts are just too wide for 8"

**Posted by Chaplin** 2/25/2017 3:50 PM

Thanks. I guess it is back to the drawing board.

**Posted by josh-kebob** 2/25/2017 7:34 PM

FWIW: I have 17x8 Bullet wheels on my 65. I initially used 1 inch spacers on the rear but, really didn't like that set up. So, I swapped in a '68 rear which gained an inch of clearance on each side.
For the fronts, I had both wheels narrowed to 7 inches.........would I do that again....maybe. Cheaper now to just buy 17x7 aftermarket wheels..........

**Posted by JeffK** 3/08/2017 10:34 PM

I forced my 17x8's off a 2003 bullitt mustang to fit, with 1" spacers all around. Grinded on the upper control arms, rolled the fenders flush... Its rather ridiculous to put the 17x8 on the fronts. There's a gnats butt of room to get those rims and 245/45/17's on the car. And you still might need to do something about rubbing. In the back... I'm still supposed to roll the quarter panels flush, as I have some 1" reverse eye springs I want to use to lower the car, but not until I roll them quarters. Also you'll want to bang out the inner wheel well housing, not much though, its hard to get the inners to rub, but going 50mph on one of those 360^ on ramps where you aren't supposed to go more than 25mph will do it. I'm betting with the car lowered, it won't sway as much and I won't have to touch my inners at all.

I would say 17x7 aftermarket wheels all around is easier and therefore better.

**Posted by BILLY WALTON from GEORGIA** 8/15/2017 11:14 PM

I PUT A SET OF 2005 MUSTANG V6 WHEELS ON MINE AND USED 1.25 SPACERS IN THEY LOOK AND RIDE GOOD. THEY ARE 16'S

**Posted by jgmartin** 10/08/2017 8:57 PM

Nice but I have to thoroughly check the illustration. I've been thinking of getting a new set of rims for my Mickey Thompson tires.

Last edited by jgmartin (10/15/2017 11:19 PM)