Widening factory wheels?

[RADARB8]

So I've really fallen in love with the 50th anniv. wheels and how they look on my comp. orange GT. However, I'm disappointed that the rears are only 8.5" wide. I'd really like to stick a 295 or even 305 out back. Would I need to widen them to 9.5" or 10"? How would adding that additional inch or so affect the backspacing? Would I need to add a wheel spacer to prevent them from rubbing? Trying to do some research before I contact Weldcraft.

Thanks!

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[SVTFreak]

You'd have to measure. If you do spacers, use bolt on spacers (I assume they have relief spots where the studs can go in the wheel)

Be warned, widening isn't cheap at all. I wanna say it was 300$ or more per wheel when I considered widening my gt/cs wheels. And you don't gain any depth in the front.

 

[Grimace427]

The selection of 19" 295 or 305 tires is very slim.

 

[SVTFreak]

The selection of 19" 295 or 305 tires is very slim.

And most of the decent options are very very expensive.

 

[MustangCollector]

I did this on my 2010 Camaro and used Vaughn Machine out west , he is the BEST and only source i would ever use because of his process versus what other guys do.

 

[OVRKILL]

The LE wheels are quite attractive, I expect that the aftermarket will release similar ones in short order. CDC's preview in the SEMA thread shows a similar wheel.

 

[Swoope]

The selection of 19" 295 or 305 tires is very slim.

depends on what category tire your want. and is getting better everyday.

beers

 

[RADARB8]

All great points and helpful information I wasn't aware that widening would be that much (not sure what I was expecting), and yes, tire selections in that size are very limited as I've discovered. Seems like there's more available in a 305/30/19 compared to 295/35/19, but sweet mother they're like $450 a piece :eyebulge:

 

[Grimace427]

All great points and helpful information I wasn't aware that widening would be that much (not sure what I was expecting), and yes, tire selections in that size are very limited as I've discovered. Seems like there's more available in a 305/30/19 compared to 295/35/19, but sweet mother they're like $450 a piece :eyebulge:

Just an FYI, the 305/30/19 is very short compared to the 295/35/19(26.3" vs 27.1").

 

[RADARB8]

Hadn't thrown that size into the calculator yet. Guess I've pretty much eliminated this idea for now :(

 

[Dave2013M3]

So I've really fallen in love with the 50th anniv. wheels and how they look on my comp. orange GT. However, I'm disappointed that the rears are only 8.5" wide. I'd really like to stick a 295 or even 305 out back. Would I need to widen them to 9.5" or 10"? How would adding that additional inch or so affect the backspacing? Would I need to add a wheel spacer to prevent them from rubbing? Trying to do some research before I contact Weldcraft.

Thanks!

A 295 tire needs at least a 10.5" wheel to support the sidewall properly. You could do 10" but the sidewall won't be supported properly and it won't look any wider. You could widen them out to 10.5 and run a 15mm spacer to free up some room for the suspension.

Dave

 

[OzS550]

Is it really possible to widen an alloy rim legally and safely?

If so, even at $300per rim, that's much cheaper than buying four new rims to get the size you want at the back.

 

[SVTFreak]

Is it really possible to widen an alloy rim legally and safely?

If so, even at $300per rim, that's much cheaper than buying four new rims to get the size you want at the back.

Yes it is possible.

Check out fr500's. The LE and AP wheel are just slight modifications on that style. I'm considering getting two for the rear for drag radials for mine. Won't be perfect but close. Although I don't think anyone makes them in 19" or 20" will be the problem.

 

[RADARB8]

If so, even at $300per rim, that's much cheaper than buying four new rims to get the size you want at the back.

This was my initial thought. However, when you factor in shipping to and from the facility that's widening them, the cost of spacers that may be needed, and the high cost of performance tires in the approximate size needed, I come to approximately $1700

$600 for widening
$100 - $200 for shipping
$100 for spacers
$800 for 2 tires using avg. Tire Rack pricing for 305/30/19 (approx. tire size)

This doesn't include any applicable taxes, or other unforeseen costs. Not to mention the downtime of the vehicle if I don't want to find 2 spare rears to drive on.

At that price point, you're inching very very close to a brand new staggered wheel/tire package from some of the Mustang shops. Albeit that defeats the purpose of widening the OEM wheels to keep the design. :headbonk:

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