Newbie with a wheel question.....what fits?

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Newbie with a wheel question.....what fits?

March 31, 2014, 06:22:30 PM

Hi there!

I'm brand new to the forum, and have a clean 1988 T-bird Sport with 74k original miles. One of the first thing I plan to do is change the wheels and tires.

I'll definitely go with a 4 lug Mustang/Cobra wheel, but I want to be sure they'll fit before I buy. I've narrowed it down to the gunmetal 17x8 Cobra R or gunmetal 17x9 10th Anniversary Cobra wheel.

The 17x8 Cobra R's have a 5.09" backspace and +15mm offset, while the 17x9 10th Anniversary wheels have a 5.79" backspace and +20mm offset.

I just want to be able to bolt the wheels on and go. The car is in excellent shape, so I don't want to modify it if I don't need to.

Thanks in advance.
Pose

Newbie with a wheel question.....what fits?

Reply #1 – March 31, 2014, 06:27:20 PM

No idea on the offsets, but our cars shared rims with the mustang. I'm running 10 hole gt rims. i put some 275/60's out back. i like the way they look, but it barely scrubbs with all my tools in the trunk. I'm going to try some 275/50's next time, or maybe something in 255 size.

Newbie with a wheel question.....what fits?

Reply #2 – March 31, 2014, 07:07:46 PM

17x8 will fit up front. 17x9 you will probably need spacers in the front. Rear wouldn't be a big issue fit wise unless you have quad shocks. (the ones that go horizontal) This is just suggestions from what I've researched and to help you get a idea of what to search for.

Newbie with a wheel question.....what fits?

Reply #3 – March 31, 2014, 07:48:23 PM

Sounds good. Thanks for the pointers.

Newbie with a wheel question.....what fits?

Reply #4 – March 31, 2014, 08:35:58 PM

Also I think 87/88 front control arms different than 83-86. Make sure you keep that in mind. Not sure how but I am 99 percent sure.

Newbie with a wheel question.....what fits?

Reply #5 – March 31, 2014, 09:29:09 PM

Quote from: custompunk;431629

Also I think 87/88 front control arms different than 83-86. Make sure you keep that in mind. Not sure how but I am 99 percent sure.

87-88 Thunderbird/Cougar control arms are the same dimensionally as 94-04 Mustang control arms. 83-86 Thunderbird/Cougar control arms are the same dimensionally as 79-93 Mustangs.