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  1. #1

    Default 17 inch wheels on 1985 hatchback GT

    Hi, everyone. I know this has been discussed some in the past, but just want to make sure of something bf I buy some wheels. AM has 1995 cobra R style wheels (item # 2837 that come in a staggered option (17x9 rear with 275/40/17 tire size and 17x8 front with 245/45/17 tire size). I was told the backspacing on the 17x8 is 5.2 and 5.71 for the 17x9. AM is telling me that they cannot confirm this will fit my car bc of some spindle change from 87-93. However, I read in the reviews from people with mustangs prior to 87 that had bought them. I also read that maybe a spacer is needed. Can someone please clarify? Thank you!

  2. #2
    Moderator wraithracing's Avatar
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    The fitment will depend on which spindles you end up using. If using the original 85 spindles, then you will most likely need a spacer for strut clearance and to keep the spindle dust cap from pushing the center cap out of the wheel. The spacer will probably be at least 1/8" and maybe even 1/4" to make it all work. You may also want/need rack limiters to prevent tires from rubbing lock to lock.

    If using the 87-93 V8 spindles, then you probably won't need a spacer to clear the strut, but you might still need some additional clearance for the dust cap/center cap clearance.

    In the rear the 9" should fit, although you will most likely need/want to roll the rear quarter/fender lips for additional clearance and prevent any damage to the tires. Good Luck!
    ​Trey

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  3. #3

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    Quote Originally Posted by cnoll76 View Post
    AM has 1995 cobra R style wheels (item # 2837 that come in a staggered option (17x9 rear with 275/40/17 tire size and 17x8 front with 245/45/17 tire size).
    Are you running the stock '86 spindle and rotor setup or the '87-up?

    Your original 10 holes are a 15x7 with a +22.5mm offset and 4.89" backspace, so you can work from these specs and if you want to do some modeling, this site comes in very handy, I use it all the time. http://www.rimsntires.com/specspro.jsp

    I don't believe that you'll have any clearance issues (especially in the rear) however, they are easily solvable if you do... I've run MANY different wheel/tire combos on my '86, although they've been with '94/'95 Mustang GT spindles. In recent past I had the 17x8 " '99 Cobra" wheels on the car which have a 5.72" b.s. and are very similar to the 17x9 offset/b.s. specs for the '95 Cobra R wheels that you are considering, so the rears will fit no problem. The front is where you could potentially run into some clearance issues, however, a 1/4" or 3/8" spacer would most likely solve that.

    Have you considered wheels other than the '95 COBRA Rs?

    My current wheel/tire combo is as follows:
    - (Front) XXR 531s with 5.48" b.s and a +25mm offset and 245/45-17s with plenty of clearance
    - (Rear) XXR 531s with 5.98" b.s. and a +25mm offset and 275/40-17s with plenty of clearance
    Last edited by Quikk86; 08-17-2019 at 04:33 PM.
    Mark

    1986 GT Hatchback (2R): 5spd, TFS FAC 170s, TFS Stage 2 Cam, Vortech SQ S-Trim, MM Suspension, SN95 5-lug conversion w/Fox 5-lug rear axles, 3.73's, 13" / 11.65" brakes, Moates QuarterHorse
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  4. #4

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    When I tried to use 95 Cobra R wheels with 275 wide tires in the rear, I had all sorts of rubbing issues using Ranger axles, 1/4" spacer, and I think H&R race springs. Hard to remember the exact combination as it only lasted a summer before I changed over to P245/45 17 tires on Cobra R wheels and a torque arm with different springs. Last summer I changed to P255/40 17 on Cobra R wheels and don't have any rubbing. These were actual Ford wheels and not aftermarket versions. I still use the spacer in the rear, but it isn't needed for clearance. I wanted to increase the rear track width to bring it closer to the front, which uses MM K-member, MM tubular A-arms, and Mach1/Cobra spindles. Both the 95 Cobra R and 99 Cobra wheels on P245/45 and P255/40 tires don't rub with my setup. I don't know how they fit with 79-93 factory parts. I went to 17" wheels the same time I changed the spindles and brakes.

  5. #5
    FEP Super Member NAVYCAT's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by BRGT350 View Post
    When I tried to use 95 Cobra R wheels with 275 wide tires in the rear, I had all sorts of rubbing issues using Ranger axles, 1/4" spacer, and I think H&R race springs. Hard to remember the exact combination as it only lasted a summer before I changed over to P245/45 17 tires on Cobra R wheels and a torque arm with different springs. Last summer I changed to P255/40 17 on Cobra R wheels and don't have any rubbing. These were actual Ford wheels and not aftermarket versions. I still use the spacer in the rear, but it isn't needed for clearance. I wanted to increase the rear track width to bring it closer to the front, which uses MM K-member, MM tubular A-arms, and Mach1/Cobra spindles. Both the 95 Cobra R and 99 Cobra wheels on P245/45 and P255/40 tires don't rub with my setup. I don't know how they fit with 79-93 factory parts. I went to 17" wheels the same time I changed the spindles and brakes.
    Im running 275 45 17 on my rear with 1997 wheels, so what I did to make room was to flip the small shock 180* on both side and gained about 1 inch clearance and im also using the rear disc's off a 94 GTAttachment 129192
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  6. #6
    FEP Super Member erratic50's Avatar
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    I ran 1983 RWD 2.0 ranger rotors on stock 86 Mustang spindles on my 86GT with 17x8 94-95 tribar rims

    The wheels JUST cleared the spindles. The wheel weights did NOT.

    They rubbed very much so when turning past the limits of an 87-93 2.25 turn rack. That last 1/4 turn on the 86GT was trouble

    the SN95 spindles move the wheel outward 1/8” while also correcting Ackerman. Those made things clear a lot better. It only rubs now in extreme situations.

    I run 245/45/17’s in front. Next time I buy tires it will be 255/40/17’s as they are shorter and a little wider and can be accommodated better.

    Good luck with your project

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