62 Tbird vs mustang bullit rims

[johnf]

Hi everyone;

I have a 62 Tbird and have been considering installing some bullit rims and tires from a 2008 mustang (17" 235 55 R17). It seems that a lot of people have these rims and tires for sale at a pretty good price. With the info I have, the mustang tire/rim combination is very close to the allowable wheel/tire size the Tbird can handle. The only question is the 6.3" backspacing and 45 mm offset the mustange rims have.

Has anyone tried or thought of this? Do you think it will work? Anyone put on rims with this size of backspacing?

thanks

john f

[kc5mhb]

Good question because I'm thinking of doing the same with a disc brake swap. New Take Off, Ninosport and a few others are selling Mustang wheels and wheel / tire sets reasonable and I was thinking the fan blade style might look pretty good on my '63. There is a thread here that has a 64 with what appears to be Bullitt wheels. http://www.tbirdforum.com/forums/fla...barn-find.html

[novanutcase]

I did an aftermarket wheel swap after I converted my front drums to '65 T-Bird Disc Brakes.



John

[kc5mhb]

Did you do the kit? What did it cost you? Did you replace the master cylinder and if so which one did you use? Lastly what size wheels are those?

Dude that looks awesome!

[novanutcase]

Originally Posted by kc5mhb

Did you do the kit? What did it cost you? Did you replace the master cylinder and if so which one did you use? Lastly what size wheels are those?

Dude that looks awesome!

Thanks!

I bought a set of '65 DB's off of Ebay for $300. It included the lower control arm, spindle, rotor and caliper. Seller also included an MC but it was pretty crusty looking so I went ahead and bought a '65 MC. I had to find the fittings that would work with the brake light sensor but that was the only real snag in the whole thing. It was a pretty straightforward swap that bolted right up without any swearing or busted knuckles! I also installed an aftermarket proportioning valve to bias the rear drum brakes.

I could have gone with one of the kits that use an adapter to relocate the caliper but I don't feel all that confident relying on a piece of steel to stop a 4000+ lb. car hurtling down the highway at 70+ mph!

Wheels are Coys C5 17 x 8. Tires are BFG G-Force Sports 225/50/17.

Johnf, with the backspacing specs you gave those wheels won't fit on your car. They'll hit the tie rod when you turn the car along with rubbing on the inside of the fenderwell. My wheels are BSed at 4 1/2". I probably have another inch before they'll start hitting.

John

[johnf]

Thanks for steering me in the right direction John, much appreciated. Your car is amazing, that's exactly the look I'm going for.

Johnf