17 inch wheels on 85, do i need 87- front suspension

[foxhigh]

i heard that to put 17 in. wheels on my 85 i need to put 87+ front suspension on my car, if thats so, i have a 87 parts car that was a 4 cylinder, i know the springs are different, but what about the spindles. also, even if i don't have to change the spindles, would it be better to.

[frdfandc]

the 87 spindles are the same as the 85 spindles. If you are going to change spindles, you should get the 87-93 V8 spindles and upgrade the front brakes while you are there. You can use the same springs, but will need new front struts for 87-93 v8 spindles, or use big washers as spacers to make your current front struts work with the 87-93 spindles.
Hope this helps.

[blkntr]

not true, and my car is living proof. however with the size tires i have i had to use very minimal spacers in front. i'm running 255x40x17 .....

[frdfandc]

What I ment by big washers was in diameter, not it thickness.

[Anlushac11]

8)

The 89-93 Fox body suspension has a 1" wider front track but the parts should all interchange. Also IIRC starting in 1990 the Mustang got a larger wheel well opening to make room for the coming of the bigger tires.

[Evil86lx]

Dont forget about the different tie rods also.. :D

kyle

[IWL BCNU]

8)

The 89-93 Fox body suspension has a 1" wider front track but the parts should all interchange. Also IIRC starting in 1990 the Mustang got a larger wheel well opening to make room for the coming of the bigger tires.

You sure about that? I have never heard that before.

[telco]

The track difference is in the Kmember and it starts in 89-90. The control arms and spindles are the same 87-93 but the mounting location for the control arms are moved outboard 1/2" per side. If you keep your stock K-member you won't have any track increase. A 90 K-member would actually improve the handling but it would limit your tire selection since you don't have the wider larger wells.

If you're going to lower it you'll need to do something about bump steer. There are several ways to deal with that.

[Mike Croke]

the 87 spindles are the same as the 85 spindles. If you are going to change spindles, you should get the 87-93 V8 spindles and upgrade the front brakes while you are there.
:?

Spindles are different on the '79-'86 V8 cars compared to the '87-'93 V8 cars. Four eye cars had 10" front discs and aero noses had 11" discs. To run the larger front rotors, you must get the spindles, calipers, and rotors. It is recommended that you get the outer tie rod ends also but not mandatory.

You can use the same springs, but will need new front struts for 87-93 v8 spindles, or use big washers as spacers to make your current front struts work with the 87-93 spindles.
Hope this helps.

The difference in the strut mounting flange width is about a 1/8". If you buy new front struts, they generally come with little shims to be used as spacers as required. My Lakewood 70/30s (and previous KYBs) will fit either early or late spindle by using these shims.

To answer the original question, you can run 17" wheels on your '85 with no changes. The '87 spindle/rotor will give you bigger brakes but will not alter where the wheel sits or gain any additional clearance.