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  • Rim Sizes and Tire Variants

    To be clear, I only edited posts from others for this, the ideas and concepts are not mine -credit goes to them.

    Rim Sizes, Offsets, and Tire Variants

    http://www.thunderbirdnest.com/forum...ad.php?t=39885 Note: this URL is currently locked.

    Please note that this is a condensed and edited version of the above thread. You are HIGHLY encouraged to read it for further information as it was written as well as very useful pictures. Kudos to those who shared this information.
    I bought the Dayton 80 spoke Rims 17x8 and want to buy new whitewall tires 235/55/17. The tire shop told me today the tires would not fit because of the control arm on the front just over the tire would not allow enough room. I told him lots of people here have upgraded to the 235/55/17 . He didn't care and told me he would not put that size on my car. So here is the question. Has anyone ever had a clearance or rubbing problem with a 235/55/17 on the Dayton 80 spoke rim in 17x8
    If going with a stock 17x7.5 wheel with 235x55x17 tires, what offset range will work on our cars. It's hard finding those with 60mm offset.
    • It depends on how "wide-track" you want to go. With stock wheel size (17x7.5", 60mm offset) and stock tires (235/50/17) on both of our 2003 cars, the outer surface of each tire is inboard from the top outer surface of each wheel well by 1" to 1 1/8".
    • Each 5mm reduction in offset moves the wheel outboard by about 0.2" (exactly 0.19685"). Increasing the wheel width to 8" would move the outer surface of the wheel outboard by 0.25". So; an 8" wheel with 40mm offset moves the outer surface of a stock tire outboard by about 1.05", which makes it almost exactly even with the top outer surface of the wheel well. There are several Volvo, Ford (Focus and Fusion) and Jaguar wheels with 5x108 bolt pattern and offset in the 49mm to 60mm range. I have Jaguar Antares wheels (stock width and offset) on my car.
      There's room to move the tires/wheels outboard and still have clearance for tires (the amount depends on the tire/wheel combo), but every fraction of an inch moved outboard means more road spray grit and grime higher on the car behind the tire. Mud flaps and/or more frequent cleaning may be part of the price to pay for that wide(r) track.

    Do you really mean "no more than"? Maybe I'm confused, but the stock wheels at 62mm is more than 49 or 42mm.
    • To answer the question about which way the numbers go- The stock wheel is a 60mm offset. Regardless of width or diameter, a 60mm offset - the centerline of the tire remains the same as designed by the manufacturer. So as the numbers go down, the wheel & tire go outboard.
      So the 49mm that I recommended for the 8" wide wheel would be inboard 7mm from what you now have on your car, a hair over 1/4". One inch = 25.4mm. So compared to stock, your 8" wide, 42mm offset wheels are just shy of an inch outboard. (24.35mm)
      When you change the width from 8" to 8.5" the 49mm offset becomes 23.7mm outboard from stock. The 42mm 8" wheel you're running should be 24.35mm outboard from the stock 17x 7.5" stock wheel. almost an inch.

    My recommendation would be no more than a 49mm offset on an 8" wide wheel. 42mm on a 7.5" wide wheel. I've been accused of being conservative in this area but I'm OK with that, my tires don't rub. The 18x 8" Ford fusion wheel has a 55mm offset- I think that would look really nice & still clear nicely. Others have suggested the Jaguar wheels -what I run. There's a 7 spoke jag wheel out there that looks sharp either painted or chromed but I can't remember "what" they call it. Volvo also makes some nice wheels that "fit"
    And I know you like the Jag wheels with the 60mm(ish) offset. Or is this like a golf score where "more is less"? And for others info, I'm currently running American Racing Mavericks at 18x8 with 40mm offset and no rubbing.
    No problems with the 55's on my car but I have adaptor/spacers behind the Mustang wheels I have on.
    Spacers could be another resolution as they come in various thicknesses. Many racers use them without problems. Billeted aircraft aluminum are available at most speed shops and on e-bay. I believe that the offset for these original Ford Bullitt Wheels was "0". In my case the reason for the adaptor/spacer is the difference in the bolt pattern between the Mustang which was/is 4.5" v 4.25" on our Retro Bird hubs. I bought the rims and Pirelli 235/55/17 P-Zero Nero tires used on e-bay for $400 complete.Rather than change the 4 hubs, I purchased the billet aircraft aluminum adaptor/spacers on e-bay which pushed the wheels out even further than I really wanted to. There was no problem on the front end, but I did have to change the rear struts to the Lincoln LS struts to get the additional height I required to solve clearance issues. So now the footprint stands four inches wider than normal.

    There are several Jaguar S-Type with factory 60 offset.
    When I was looking, it appeared wheels recommended for Jag S-Type would work on our Birds. There are quite a number. Also some Volvo factory and aftermarket wheels appear to fit. IIRC most of those wheels were in the 40 offset range.
    Mine are 8 1/2 x 20 with 40mm offset and I think they fit fine and it could be lowered a inch with ease .
    Been running 235/55/17 Vogues and Dayton wheels like yours since 2004. I have had zero problems
    Last edited by merlot4; Mar 22, 2023, 11:05 AM.
    Life without passion is no life at all.
    Sean Combs

  • #2
    This website might be waaaaay too much information, but I find visuals work for my brain
    https://www.wheel-size.com/calc/

    BTW, there are plenty of wheels that fit the 2002-05 Thunderbirds specs, depending on the diameter.

    Thunderbird Wheel.png

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    • #3
      bought my merlot with black wheels with a 45 offset also came with the stockers. the tires are the stock 50s they never rub and rarely do I feel lean in corners it also makes the car look a bit tougher,like them so much I sold the stock wheels and would never go back.as a bonus people that own retro bird will look at the car and wonder what is different
      figured I needed something here

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      • #4
        Originally posted by JerriLampon View Post
        This website might be waaaaay too much information, but I find visuals work for my brain
        https://www.wheel-size.com/calc/

        BTW, there are plenty of wheels that fit the 2002-05 Thunderbirds specs, depending on the diameter.

        Thunderbird Wheel.png
        I don't know that I'd trust this chart. It can't decide whether the bolt pattern is 5x108 or 5x112.
        2002 Whisper White, Black Accent, Daily Driver

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        • #5
          How to determine bolt pattern.

          https://www.cokertire.com/bolt-patte...ss%20from%20it.

          Comment


          • #6
            Originally posted by Flying Past View Post

            I don't know that I'd trust this chart. It can't decide whether the bolt pattern is 5x108 or 5x112.
            I only see 108mm listed on the chart. What am I missing?

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