What Size Wheels Do I Need?

Kisner · 08-15-2004, 12:25 PM

Well apparently I screwed up again (not the 1st and surely won't be the last). 4 years ago I bought a set of repro 14" x 6" styled steel wheels from Mustangs Unlimited. They went on with no problem. Yesterday I decided to have them re-balanced and rotated. When GoodYear rotated them the 2 that were on the back were hitting my front disc brake calipers when the wheels turned. Apparently the welds on the 2-piece design were higher on the back two. GoodYear, along with a few other friends, are now telling me I should have never put 14" rims on a car with front disc brakes, and that I have to use a minimum of 15" rims? Can someone tell me if this is true? Seems to me Mustangs Unlimited should have asked if I had disc brakes, but they didn't and there was no mention of the wheels not working on cars equipped with disc brakes in their catalog.

If I do switch to 15" rims, would that solve my problem? Also, I need some info on backspacing issues, i.e., what's the largest tire I can used on the 15's without rubbing or hitting something else. I'm running 215/70/14's right now and like the look. Not looking to put anything bigger (tire height wise or width) on the 15's, but would put 60's if they'll fit with no problems. Thanks for any advice.

Fat0eknee · 08-15-2004, 02:54 PM

i have 14's and disc brakes all the way around on my car ..no rub - but if you decide to go 15's ..more specifically a 15x8 in the back go with 4.5 inch backspacing

Fat0eknee · 08-15-2004, 02:57 PM

what year is your car? a 225/60 should work w/out a hitch some people even use 235 and roll the inner lip up so it doesnt rub

Rev · 08-15-2004, 03:35 PM

I use 225/60/15's in front with 6X15 steel rims. In the rear, I use 235/60/15's with 6 1/2X15 steel rims. I did have to roll the fender well lips slightly in the rear in a couple of places. My car is lowered front and rear quite a bit but I was still able to get those tires in.

Rev

orlowted · 08-15-2004, 06:11 PM

Were the brakes from Mustang Unlimited? It depends where you got your Disk Brakes. The Granada conversion usually won't fit a 14 inch rim and many others will not either. A standard 15x7 will probably fit just fine. Some aftermarket disk brakes say they will fit a 14 inch rim. I would just go with the 15 inch if at all possible

Kisner · 08-16-2004, 10:59 AM

Oh sorry forgot to mention I have a 1968 hardtop with a 302 and original coil springs and leaf springs - not lowered - basically stock height all the way around. The disc brakes were on the car when we got it so I don't know where they came from or what type. A friend looked at them and did state they were heavy duty large calipers though. Think he mentioned there were smaller calipers out there that should work. Think I'd rather just buy new wheels than mess with the brakes, although that'll be a lot more expensive. What I'm leaning towards are the same 65 styled wheels I have, or possibly the Magnums, in a 15" x 7" size (don't think the styled steel wheels or Magnums come in a 15" X 6" but I could be wrong), with a 215/60/15 tire. I actually want something with a hair smaller tire height than what I have now. Looked at one of the tire height charts and it stated these tires would be 25.16" high compared with my current 25.85" high setup. Does everyone think these would work, clear my calipers, not hit anything, or require the wheel wells to be rolled? Thanks again for all the advice!

Fat0eknee · 08-16-2004, 12:55 PM

that will be fine with no problems at all with the 215/60 - wheels should clear the calipers too

era427tp · 08-16-2004, 07:29 PM

My '67 GT HAS FACTORY DISCS AND ITS ORIGINAL STYLED STEEL,14' WHEELS. SOMETHING HAS GOT 2 B SCREWED UP.

Kisner · 08-16-2004, 08:50 PM

If you have the original calipers and wheels I'm sure Ford ensured they worked. But with my aftermarket calipers and wheels, I've learned the hard way about 50% of the aftermarket parts don't fit right and some are downright crap. Oh well, another hard lesson learned. Now to start saving for those new wheels, unless I can talk my wife into getting a second job (ha ha - I doubt it). Thanks to everyone for the tremendous advice.

08-15-2004, 12:25 PM	#1
Kisner Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2000 Posts: 290	What Size Wheels Do I Need? Well apparently I screwed up again (not the 1st and surely won't be the last). 4 years ago I bought a set of repro 14" x 6" styled steel wheels from Mustangs Unlimited. They went on with no problem. Yesterday I decided to have them re-balanced and rotated. When GoodYear rotated them the 2 that were on the back were hitting my front disc brake calipers when the wheels turned. Apparently the welds on the 2-piece design were higher on the back two. GoodYear, along with a few other friends, are now telling me I should have never put 14" rims on a car with front disc brakes, and that I have to use a minimum of 15" rims? Can someone tell me if this is true? Seems to me Mustangs Unlimited should have asked if I had disc brakes, but they didn't and there was no mention of the wheels not working on cars equipped with disc brakes in their catalog. If I do switch to 15" rims, would that solve my problem? Also, I need some info on backspacing issues, i.e., what's the largest tire I can used on the 15's without rubbing or hitting something else. I'm running 215/70/14's right now and like the look. Not looking to put anything bigger (tire height wise or width) on the 15's, but would put 60's if they'll fit with no problems. Thanks for any advice.

08-15-2004, 03:35 PM	#4
Rev Registered Member Join Date: Nov 1998 Location: Houston, Tx. Posts: 3,887	225-235/60/15's I use 225/60/15's in front with 6X15 steel rims. In the rear, I use 235/60/15's with 6 1/2X15 steel rims. I did have to roll the fender well lips slightly in the rear in a couple of places. My car is lowered front and rear quite a bit but I was still able to get those tires in. Rev __________________ '66 Coupe, 306, 350-375 HP, C-4, 13.07 e.t., 104.8 mph, 1/4 mi. O.B.C. #2 '66 coupe

08-15-2004, 06:11 PM	#5
orlowted Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Fleetwood, PA Posts: 177	Where did the brakes come from Were the brakes from Mustang Unlimited? It depends where you got your Disk Brakes. The Granada conversion usually won't fit a 14 inch rim and many others will not either. A standard 15x7 will probably fit just fine. Some aftermarket disk brakes say they will fit a 14 inch rim. I would just go with the 15 inch if at all possible

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08-15-2004, 02:54 PM	#2
Fat0eknee I'm slow ...I know. Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: houston Posts: 518	i have 14's and disc brakes all the way around on my car ..no rub - but if you decide to go 15's ..more specifically a 15x8 in the back go with 4.5 inch backspacing

08-15-2004, 02:57 PM	#3
Fat0eknee I'm slow ...I know. Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: houston Posts: 518	what year is your car? a 225/60 should work w/out a hitch some people even use 235 and roll the inner lip up so it doesnt rub

08-16-2004, 10:59 AM	#6
Kisner Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2000 Posts: 290	Oh sorry forgot to mention I have a 1968 hardtop with a 302 and original coil springs and leaf springs - not lowered - basically stock height all the way around. The disc brakes were on the car when we got it so I don't know where they came from or what type. A friend looked at them and did state they were heavy duty large calipers though. Think he mentioned there were smaller calipers out there that should work. Think I'd rather just buy new wheels than mess with the brakes, although that'll be a lot more expensive. What I'm leaning towards are the same 65 styled wheels I have, or possibly the Magnums, in a 15" x 7" size (don't think the styled steel wheels or Magnums come in a 15" X 6" but I could be wrong), with a 215/60/15 tire. I actually want something with a hair smaller tire height than what I have now. Looked at one of the tire height charts and it stated these tires would be 25.16" high compared with my current 25.85" high setup. Does everyone think these would work, clear my calipers, not hit anything, or require the wheel wells to be rolled? Thanks again for all the advice!

08-16-2004, 12:55 PM	#7
Fat0eknee I'm slow ...I know. Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: houston Posts: 518	that will be fine with no problems at all with the 215/60 - wheels should clear the calipers too

08-16-2004, 07:29 PM	#8
era427tp Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: granby,ct Posts: 9	My '67 GT HAS FACTORY DISCS AND ITS ORIGINAL STYLED STEEL,14' WHEELS. SOMETHING HAS GOT 2 B SCREWED UP.

08-16-2004, 08:50 PM	#9
Kisner Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2000 Posts: 290	If you have the original calipers and wheels I'm sure Ford ensured they worked. But with my aftermarket calipers and wheels, I've learned the hard way about 50% of the aftermarket parts don't fit right and some are downright crap. Oh well, another hard lesson learned. Now to start saving for those new wheels, unless I can talk my wife into getting a second job (ha ha - I doubt it). Thanks to everyone for the tremendous advice.