My 5-Lug plans (um, back to 4-lug!)

Topic: My 5-Lug plans (um, back to 4-lug!) (Read 11039 times) previous topic - next topic

My 5-Lug plans (um, back to 4-lug!)

Reply #45 – November 19, 2007, 09:21:38 PM

I don't know much about your car, but if it's not rubbing too awful much maybe a stiffer front spring would keep it under control. I am assuming your front sway bar is still on?

My 5-Lug plans (um, back to 4-lug!)

Reply #46 – November 19, 2007, 09:35:15 PM

These are 600lb/in Mach 1 springs that I just installed a couple of months ago. The Mach 1 springs lowered the car at the same time (another thread), but I rarely had rubbing with the 225/60/15's that theoretically have the same diameter and tread width - only on bridge construction that would get any car that was lowered. I removed the sway bar for drag-racing and never reinstalled it.

My 5-Lug plans (um, back to 4-lug!)

Reply #47 – November 19, 2007, 09:38:52 PM

roll the fender lip up. assuming the fenders are simliar to my mark ones, it should be easy to roll them

My 5-Lug plans (um, back to 4-lug!)

Reply #48 – November 19, 2007, 09:49:05 PM

I thought you put Fox arms on there...

I could have told you it wouldn't fit w/o rolling the fenders. :hick:

My 5-Lug plans (um, back to 4-lug!)

Reply #49 – November 19, 2007, 09:51:26 PM

How does the inner fender liner mount when you roll the metal lip?

I may just go smaller in diameter - 245/40/17 (24.7")or 235/40/17 (24.4") - these won't hit and won't look so bad since the car is lowered. I may have to take advantage of the 30 day free test drive :D

My 5-Lug plans (um, back to 4-lug!)

Reply #50 – November 19, 2007, 09:52:48 PM

Quote from: JeremyB;188644

I thought you put Fox arms on there...

I could have told you it wouldn't fit w/o rolling the fenders. :hick:

Hah - thanks

I have 2k03 Cobra Arms.

My 5-Lug plans (um, back to 4-lug!)

Reply #51 – November 19, 2007, 09:55:28 PM

my inner fender and my fender dont connect up there. Didnt know if the birds were diff. I guess so.

My 5-Lug plans (um, back to 4-lug!)

Reply #52 – November 19, 2007, 09:57:02 PM

I'm not sure either - I've just felt in there with my fingers - feels like there is a transition from the metal to the plastic in there...

My 5-Lug plans (um, back to 4-lug!)

Reply #53 – November 19, 2007, 10:04:17 PM

i dont think it would be hard to just fold it up a little? but I dont know for sure someone has to.

My 5-Lug plans (um, back to 4-lug!)

Reply #54 – November 19, 2007, 10:14:55 PM

Well, if I remove the wheel and inner fender, I can use the forming tool I used for the body work to bend it up. Combined with adding more negative camber I may be able to deal with it.

My 5-Lug plans (um, back to 4-lug!)

Reply #55 – November 19, 2007, 10:19:33 PM

worth a try

My 5-Lug plans (um, back to 4-lug!)

Reply #56 – November 19, 2007, 10:35:56 PM

Quote from: Cougar5.0;188646

Hah - thanks

My '87, with 17x8 +30mm offset wheels and 225/45/17 tires is at the ragged edge of rubbing. (-5/8 degree camber)

A 17x9 +25mm wheel puts the outboard edge .7" further out.

It'll be interesting to see how you solve this problem. I might just yet get a set of '03 Cobras.
Watch out for paint chipping if you roll the fenders.

My 5-Lug plans (um, back to 4-lug!)

Reply #57 – November 19, 2007, 10:54:01 PM

The math wasn't that bad.

225/60/15 on a 7" rim. 9.7" section width, 8.5" tread width

245/45/17 on a 9" rim. 10" section width, 8.5" tread width

With the same offset as stock (25mm), most of the added width is indeed at the rim & partially on the section width. I think part of the problem is that the old tires are about 25.1" diameter now after all these years and the new tires are right at 25.7" brand new. Also, the transition to the sidewall is wider on the new tires and I think it is actually this area that ishiznitting as opposed to the tread itself that hit with the old tires (and rarely). This is why I am considering shorter tires - I don't care if the sidewall is shorter since the car is lowered.

My 5-Lug plans (um, back to 4-lug!)

Reply #58 – November 19, 2007, 11:04:09 PM

Quote from: Cougar5.0;188671

The math wasn't that bad.

?

What wheels/tires did you have beforehand?

My 5-Lug plans (um, back to 4-lug!)

Reply #59 – November 19, 2007, 11:08:35 PM

Stock gold turbines w/Pep Boys Ultra Z specials - lol.

I was comparing actual measurements from the old tire as mounted to the advertised specs compensated for the tires installed on a 9" rim. The biggest issue is the larger diameter of the new tires compared to the old ones and the width at the transition from the tread to the sidewall.

There are 225/60/15's that are advertised with 8.9" tread width and 245/45/17's that are advertised with 8.4" tread width, so there is a lot of variation out there in specs & measurement techniques. The tread itself (part that actually touches the ground) seems to be a tiny bit farther in actually.