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Topic: Rear Wheel and Tire Fitment - Dimensions and Setups (Read 1578 times) previous topic - next topic

Rear Wheel and Tire Fitment - Dimensions and Setups

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

83 351W TKO'd T-Bird on the bottle


93 331 Mustang Coupe - 368 rwhp

Rear Wheel and Tire Fitment - Dimensions and Setups

Reply #1 –
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.
87 Thunderbird 5.0
Engine: 97 p-code explorer block, heads, and intake; 88 HO cam, 1.7 RR's, A9P, Kenne Bell 2.1 Flow/Blow 8psi, 42lb injectors, LMAF, 75mm TB, Tuned by Don Lasota
Trans: 02 Stang 4r70w with Baumann TCS
Suspension: Front: 03-04 cobra springs and struts, TC rack. Rear: CHE arms, ChuckW shock mounts, Bullitt springs and shocks
5 bolt with 95 mustang front and mark vii rear.
TC 3.73 L/S rear
03-04 SVT Cobra 17x9's with 275/40r17's.

Rear Wheel and Tire Fitment - Dimensions and Setups

Reply #2 –
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.
83 Thunderbird Heritage - Right Hand Drive
95 Falcon GLi

Rear Wheel and Tire Fitment - Dimensions and Setups

Reply #3 –
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.




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.
Quote from: jcassity
I honestly dont think you could exceed the cost of a new car buy installing new *stock* parts everywhere in your coug our tbird. Its just plain impossible. You could revamp the entire drivetrain/engine/suspenstion and still come out ahead.
Hooligans! 
1988 Crown Vic wagon. 120K California car. Wifes grocery getter. (junked)
1987 Ford Thunderbird LX. 5.0. s.o., sn-95 t-5 and an f-150 clutch. Driven daily and going strong.
1986 cougar.
lilsammywasapunkrocker@yahoo.com