I think we get into several conversations a month over what wheels and tires will actually fit under the rear fenders of the Cougars and T-Birds. One thing that has not been done or at least that I can find is a thread that people post wheel & tire combinations that fit under the rear fenders as well as the rear suspension makeup. What I think we need to do is post this information up so that a person can get a better idea as to what works and even what does not work but remember that pictures also help people get a feel for how it looks. I'll start with what I have on my '83 Bird.
Car Info - 1983 Ford Thunderbird LX 5.0 Base Model
Rear Axle - '87 8.8
Stock or Aftermarket Lower Control Arms - Griggs Racing Adjustable LCA's with no spring perches, length adjusted to stock T-Bird dimension
Stock or Aftermarket Lower Upper Control Arms - Global West Adjustable UCA's (T-Bird Specific, not the GM A-Body car units although those are supposed to work), length adjusted based on pinion angle but close to stock T-Bird dimension
Four or Five Lug - Five lug conversion using stock Fox Mustang length Moser axles with five lug pattern (used North Race Car brake adapters for the rear SN95 brakes)
Rims - 17x9 Bullitt Style Chrome Replicas, 24mm offset with a 6.5" backspacing (I will measure this as I am not 100% sure but this may take a couple of weeks to get to)
Tires - Yokohama 275/40/17 AVS ES100 (no longer made)
Darren
Car Info - 1987 Ford Thunderbird 5.0
Rear Axle - '88 TC 8.8, with early MK VII shafts and brakes
Stock or Aftermarket Lower Control Arms - CHE adjustables
Stock or Aftermarket Lower Upper Control Arms - CHE
Four or Five Lug - Five lug with MK VII parts
Rims - 17x9 03-04 SVT Cobra
Tires - Goodyear Eagle F1 GS 275/40/17
Rear fenders are rolled from drag radials, not sure if necessary for these.
Car Info - 1983 Ford Thunderbird Heritage 5.0
Rear Axle - Standard
Stock or Aftermarket Lower Control Arms - Stock
Stock or Aftermarket Lower Upper Control Arms - Stock
Four or Five Lug - Five lug Redrilled Axles/Drums
Rims - 18x8 Bonspeed Royal -Somewbere between 0 and +6 offset
Tires - 235/40/18
Rear fenders are rolled, Still occasional scrub on Fenders.
1987 Thunderbird lx 5.0 stock.
stock axle/shafts/brakes.
Mustang 10 holes.
275/60/r15 fit nice, ocassional rub on driveways. full suspension travel will rub.
1986 cougar gs 5.0
Stock axle/brakes/rear
mustang 10 holes.
275/60/r15.
(http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d82/bosenKevin_02/2014-03-03%2011.30.49.jpg)
(http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d82/bosenKevin_02/2014-03-03%2011.30.34.jpg)
Tires fit well with no rubbing with no weight in trunk. 200-300lbs gives an ocassional scrub. had to zip tie e-brake cables. speedo is off about 10%
in the future i would go with 275/50's in the future.