Narrower rims for winter driving? Will these work?

[Crew4991]

Considering purchasing a GT350 right now but I am a little confused if my current spare set of snow tires will fit. Yes, my potential GT350 would be seeing a light amount of snow at times.

The GT350 has staggered setup to begin with; front 19x10.5 rims with 295/35/19 tires and rear 19x11 rims with 305/35/19. I would have all season tires on these wheels.

The spare mustang rims and tires that I have are OEM Ford #10081 California Special wheels which are 19x8.5 rims and 255/40/19 winter tires on them. Will these fit a GT350 with a square setup? They are much narrower but are OEM rims.

I know it might look a bit strange since they are narrower but for 2-3 months out of the year I would rather be safer with non staggered wheels and continue to use my current Pirelli winter tires on a spare set of rims I already own. I am not very familiar with offsets but for winter driving I much prefer a square setup over staggered. Let me know your thoughts.

Thanks all.

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[dirtwarrior]

Your steering will will be more neutral and handling will be better with the square setup

 

[Crew4991]

Your steering will will be more neutral and handling will be better with the square setup

Thanks! Good info. To confirm to others that may be reading my thread, I have no intention of driving like an idiot with the winter GT/CS wheels on the GT350, the fastest the car would be going is normal highway speeds, so about 75 MPH. I know the rims are narrower and not rated for the capabilities the GT350 has.

Mainly curious if the GT/CS wheels will fit on the GT350 properly, or if I will encounter any issues with them on.

 

[theshawnc]

I don't think the California special wheels will fit over GT350 brakes. I learned the hard way that 19 inch GT performance pack 1 wheels don't clear the brakes. I also know the 19 inch black appearance wheels from 2019 don't fit either. Very few 19 inch wheels fit, other than the stock ones.

 

[theshawnc]

I ended up getting another set of stock GT350 wheels and put 275/40r19 winter tires on them.

 

[Crew4991]

I don't think the California special wheels will fit over GT350 brakes. I learned the hard way that 19 inch GT performance pack 1 wheels don't clear the brakes. I also know the 19 inch black appearance wheels from 2019 don't fit either. Very few 19 inch wheels fit, other than the stock ones.

Oh no, well that is a bummer. If that is truly the case then it is good to know that my spare set won't be useful. Thanks for the info.

 

[Hack]

I bought some cheap 19X8.5 aftermarket wheels and used them for my winter tire setup when I owned a GT350 (square setup). They were fine for getting around, no problems. I wasn't after maximum winter performance, just the ability to use the car when I couldn't bear to leave it in the garage. I didn't have any issues running a square setup for that purpose (no problems with oversteer, etc.).

 

[Crew4991]

I bought some cheap 19X8.5 aftermarket wheels and used them for my winter tire setup when I owned a GT350 (square setup). They were fine for getting around, no problems. I wasn't after maximum winter performance, just the ability to use the car when I couldn't bear to leave it in the garage. I didn't have any issues running a square setup for that purpose (no problems with oversteer, etc.).

Did you run into any issues with the offsets? I know the front wheels are pretty tight because of the brakes. Also, how did the rears look on the car? We’re they noticeably sunken in on the gt350 or did they look fine?

 

[Hack]

Did you run into any issues with the offsets? I know the front wheels are pretty tight because of the brakes. Also, how did the rears look on the car? We’re they noticeably sunken in on the gt350 or did they look fine?

Here are a couple photos. I think the way the offsets on modern wheels are, narrower wheels just don't extend as far under the car. To me they look fine and most rims probably will as long as they are essentially flat on the outside (there's no dish or reverse dish).
The big thing on the GT350 is if you want to run 19s a lot of them won't clear the brakes. These rims did, but unfortunately they stopped making them in the fall of 2016.

 

[kenske]

Here are a couple photos. I think the way the offsets on modern wheels are, narrower wheels just don't extend as far under the car. To me they look fine and most rims probably will as long as they are essentially flat on the outside (there's no dish or reverse dish).
The big thing on the GT350 is if you want to run 19s a lot of them won't clear the brakes. These rims did, but unfortunately they stopped making them in the fall of 2016.

Which rims are those?

 

[Hack]

Which rims are those?

They are MMD Axim.

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