17" vs 18" wheels

[Sigurd]

I have to make some final decisions before the 6/16 delivery date. I have put my mind on the 17" wheel tire combo from FF. I am starting to wonder if I should go with the 18" option due to the wider tire choice.

Any comments?

[GoDadGo]

Either size, 17's or 18's, look great on these cars so here are a few things to consider:
What tire sizes (Width & Height) do you think you want to run?
Do you like more or less sidewall height?

[David Williamson]

I would not buy the tires through FFR and pick larger fronts. I have 18's with Michelins, 265 front and 315 back and these fit the wheels well. Nito make a good selection of 17's in the sizes we use and also a good tire.
Note tire selection in the sizes we use is limited as so many new cars are now running really large diameter wheels.
David W

[edwardb]

There are several good tire options for both 17 and 18 inch wheels available today. A lot depends on how you're going to use the car. Street cruising only, track use, etc. The industry is definitely moving to bigger and bigger wheels, and has been doing so for quite some time. In the longer run, maybe more options for the 18 inch side (and bigger...) but anyone's guess what that means for today's selections. I can tell you after having both that 18 inchers are usually more expensive.

[Sigurd]

Thanks for your inputs.

The car is for road use, when finished one time in the future. If I go wit the FF 17" package perhaps I have to get new wheels when the tires need to be replaced.

What profile on the 18" tires? 285/45 and 315/35? I am looking for a high sidewall.

I am going for a "old style" look and considered 15" for a while but going with IRS and large brakes helped me decide against it.

[CraigS]

You really can't get a high sidewall in an 18. The OD should be a little under 26" for both 17s and 18s. Rears will be either 315-35x17 or 315-30x18.

[JRL16]

Tire selection is a bit more limited with the 18's. I originally wanted raised white letter tires but they weren't available for my 18's when i bought my tires. Maybe they are now.

[RR20AC]

18’s 😬

[GoDadGo]

245/45-17 Front & 285/40-17 Rear, but I still like the vintage look of the 15's the best.

Side wall height was the biggest consideration for me.

https://youtu.be/IGYtX-3p7xk

[gnd_hog]

18” wheels will allow you to run 14” brakes - if extra stopping power is needed

19” wheels you can go 15” brakes......

[Kirbert]

These:

https://www.americanmuscle.com/17-stag-anth-bullitt-nt555-g2-9904.html

Hey, I'm just not crazy about the Halibrand style.

[GoDadGo]

Like Kirbert, I am not the biggest fan of the Hilibrand so my car is sporting 10th Anniversary Cobra wheels.
Basically, if the wheels fit a 1994-2004 Mustang, then they should be pretty much good to go on our cars.
Here are some other wheel links that may be of interest to you, or may not:

https://www.oewheelsllc.com/make/Ford/model/Mustang/year/2001

https://www.cjponyparts.com/mustang-5-lug-wheels/c/60210020/

https://lmr.com/products/94-04-Mustang-Wheels

http://wheelreplicas.com/sn95wheels

[Sigurd]

Thank you all for input.

I am going for the 17” FF setup.

I will not be able to use Good Year Eagle stickers but then again the will not offer any sponsorship money anyway.
The 6/16 finishing day is getting closer, and I am looking forward to the call from FF confirming my order. Is Stewart do their part, I should be ready to start inventory in July!

[Paul G]

Here is one more thing, on the rear if you go to a 17x10.5 or even 17x10 wheel it can a issues with brakes. If you are running a straight axle there are plenty of choices in brakes. I went with the IRS with 17x10.5 wheels the 15-17 Mustang brakes won't fit, I had to design my own bracket further modify the upright, I ended up with 1998 Mustang Cobra rear brakes, Gordon also has a Wilwood solution. What happens with most 10in wide and larger they step down the inside of the wheel making them about an inch smaller in diameter makes brake clearance smaller.

[Sigurd]

Here is one more thing, on the rear if you go to a 17x10.5 or even 17x10 wheel it can a issues with brakes. If you are running a straight axle there are plenty of choices in brakes. I went with the IRS with 17x10.5 wheels the 15-17 Mustang brakes won't fit, I had to design my own bracket further modify the upright, I ended up with 1998 Mustang Cobra rear brakes, Gordon also has a Wilwood solution. What happens with most 10in wide and larger they step down the inside of the wheel making them about an inch smaller in diameter makes brake clearance smaller.

I will be using IRS with Wilwood brakes as supplied from FF. Combined with a small spacer I guess I will be OK.

[Kirbert]

Combined with a small spacer I guess I will be OK.

I was astounded to discover that some of the spacers available are not hub-centric. Don't ever run non-hub-centric spacers or wheels on this or any car. There are hub-centric spacers available; insist on those.