I am looking at the Ford Racing wheels that are out. Their bolt circle is the same as the 05 stock wheels but the backspacing is 5.98" compared to the 5.295" that the stock wheel is.

It is also a 18x9 rim as opposed to the stock wheel that is 17x8.

Will the 0.685" backspacing difference cause a problem?

 

i hope not, are i hope they make them especially for the '05.. i have a sonic blue gt and i'm planning on putting the same rims...except i'm getting the black ones.

 

Your new wheels will stick out 0.315" more than stock.

If you take a 1" wider rim with backspacing identical to stock, it will stick out 1" more than the stock wheel. Here, backspacing is 0.685" more than stock, in effect, pulling the wheel back under by that amount. 1" - 0.685" = 0.315"

Should look great!

 

That sounds like a plan to me!!! Wider wheel and an extra bit to help fill out the wheel well!

Just need to find me some nice rubber to put on it. I'm thinking of 255/45/18. Not sure on what brand though. Any suggestions without getting too pricey.

The rims are $250 per wheel in the silver and $350 per in Chrome.

 

I was just going to ask a similar question 'cause I'm looking at a set of 17" Ford Motorsports wheels (Bullits) that are specified for the 04 and below Stangs. The offset difference between that one and the 05 version is about 9 or 10 mm (5.72 for the 04's versus 5.295 for the 05 versions).

I know that the wheel will stick out the extra 9 or 10 mm (no big deal, I agree that they should have been out more than stock anyways, that's why I'm considering these). But the big question is....will this affect handling in any way. Clearances are no problem, just the handling issue is bugging me. Or is it nothing to worry about? I'd appreciate an opinion for some of the wheel experts out there.

Thanks very much, Mark.