Ok, here is your mission should you choose to accept it... finally get to the bottom of the issue of lug pattern and offset on the '05 wheels. Someone out there has to know. We just have to find them, and extract the information. Seems easy enough, right? Do we not know for sure if the red Mustang that was traveling around the country with those upgrade 17" wheels on it has the same wheels that the production models will have? I mean, why wouldn't they, right? Or, maybe we need to wait until the first production design Mustangs are built. Not sure when, but the first batch of "test" Mustangs are going to be built fairly soon. Perhaps next month? You know, the ones they build before production, but using the same specs. I guess to test out the cars, as well as the production line. Someone has to know someone at the Ford plant who can get the wheel info for us. Whether it would be right now from off the mules, or show cars... or maybe fairly soon when the test cars are built. I called Ford Customer Service this morning, and they told me that they would not have that information until after job 1. Sorry, but I refuse to accept that. Someone out there, please use your contacts and/or detective skills and find this info out for us. Once and for all. This message will self destruct on September 7th, 2005...

 

Why wouldn't the lug pattern be the same as the 04's?. Its still the same 8.8 live axle rear end.

 

Yes and No. The Previous Generation was a 4link setup with 29 Spline shafts. The new one is a three link with Panhard bar with 31 spline shafts. I also believe the shaft length is different. The bolt pattern on the sn95 was a odd pattern compaired to the rest of Fords 5 lug setup I believe. Besides the Offset for the new car is different. Just my 2c.

 

Axle shaft length and spline count have nothing to do with the wheels. It's all about the bolt pattern and where the hub is relative to the wheel well and edge of the car. From what close-ups I've seen of the new wheels, it looks to me like the offset is quite a bit less, perhaps an inch less. I agree that it would be very nice to find out once and for all what the pattern and offset is on the '05.

Dave

 

Whatever the offset of the wheel, as long as the aftermarket is ready after the new car is release....

 

My thoughts exactly. I'd like to see those 18's on the show car sooner rather than later also to compare.

 

Here is a link to a thread regarding wheel offset on the '05 as told to me in Cincinnati by Keith-Ford Engineer.

http://forums.bradbarnett.net/index.php?showtopic=2498

Not sure if this is exactly what you are looking for, but hope it helps.

 

My thoughts exactly. I'd like to see those 18's on the show car sooner rather than later also to compare. [/b][/quote]
I'd like to see these:


did a chop a while ago:

 

wow. those are nice.

 

Those are real nice, I agree. Those are Ford Racing 10th Anniversary Cobra wheels. They come in silver and argent gray, and run about $150 each for 17's. I have about 3 wheel choices at this point, and that's number one or two right now on my list. I'm getting the mineral gray '05, and with those argent gray wheels on there, that would look sweet. By the way, I am working with a guy named Mark at Mark's Site who has some really good deals on wheels and tires. Nice site too. Got a lot of wheels to choose from. As soon as I (or he) knows the offset and bolt pattern, I'm getting some wheels from him. They mount, balance and ship them to you. Not sure if I'm gonna get 18's, or just get some 17's like those Cobra wheels so I can use my stock rubber and save some cash. Maybe switch out to 18's when it's time to get new tires and then sell those 17" wheels on eBay, or something. Visit the site though... he deals strictly with Mustang parts and accessories. If you need to ask him anything, e-mail him and tell him Ian told you about the site... he or his wife will get right back to you. Good people.

Here's a pic of the argent gray 17" Cobra wheel...

 

yeah too bad they aren't available as 18s...

 

I just figured out what size i'll get after I bore myslef with the 17's and the pirelli rubber. I'll get 18 inch rims, not sure which yet, and instead of the preproduction rubber mine will have an inch of wxtra sidewall. It will have a similar ration to the 17's but bigger and wider. I bet those would fit perfectly in those imense wheel wells.

Imagine those with a bit more sidewall andd MUCH wider at the rear. I'm not set on it just a quick thought. Hard to visualize but i think it could look good.

 

Question for a friend of mine who has a mustang....


Will the 05 Bright Alluminum Finished Wheels fit older Mustangs, such as the 94-95 years? With the offset issues I hear about....

 

They will fit best with a spacer. Otherwise they will be set too far into the wheel wells.



At least, that's the impression I've gotten.

 

94-2004 ford used same 5 lug pattern . Its also the same pattern as rangers and explorers. Its my understanding that the bolt pattern is the same its the offset of the wheels thats different.

 

I saw an 05/06 white GT this morning on I94 while returning from Detroit Metro Airport. It had manufacturer''s plates and a full array of test instrumentation. However the thing that caught my eyes first were the 18 inch ""Fanblades"", they really stand out! They caught my eye as I checked thr sideview mirror prior to a lane change. They fill out the wheelwells nicely and they have more presence than any of the 05 Gt wheels because they seem to stick out more and you can see the spokes rotate from in front or behind. Looked really good!

 

I put my original 17" bright alum wheels on my daughter's '03 V6 stang. They fit OK (slight rub in front when turning very tight over a bump).