Yet another will it fit question - 17 inch Bullitt wheels 67 Dart

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Needswork

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OK, I've ready many, many posts on the various wheel and tire combinations. Understandably there are lots of various factors involved. I'm thinking of going with one of the OEM Mustang Bullitt wheel combinations. Like others have posted a long time ago, the idea is to save a few bucks by picking up a set at a swap meet or Craigslist. I'm looking to get the car on the road and then perhaps later I'll consider an improved wheel/tire combination.

This is what I have:

1967 Dart
Rear spring relocation kit installed by previous owner (3 inch per side I think) combined with a mini-tub.
A-body 8.75 rear end with large bolt pattern axles and B-body drum brakes
1973 front cross member
1973 disc brake conversion - all standard Chrysler parts.
Tubular upper A arms

I currently prefer to use the same size wheel and tire at all corners. It doesn't have to be the largest tire that will fit. A little "safety margin" is OK with me. I understand the Ford "register" diameter is smaller than the Mopar. I'm prepared to machine the diameter larger.

My options appear to be:

1. Go with the 1994-2004 17x8 Bullitt wheel (which has a 5.72 inch backspace) combined with a 245/45-17 tire.

Will this fit the front and rear without spacers? Is a larger tire possible?

2. Try the 2005-2010 17x8 Bullitt wheel. This wheel has a 6.29 backspace.
I assume I would run the same 245/45-17 tire. With that much backspace it may work on the back but hit the steering arm on the front. Based on what I've read spacers are required.

Any and all feedback is appreciated. Thanks!
 
Needswork said:
OK, I've ready many, many posts on the various wheel and tire combinations. Understandably there are lots of various factors involved. I'm thinking of going with one of the OEM Mustang Bullitt wheel combinations. Like others have posted a long time ago, the idea is to save a few bucks by picking up a set at a swap meet or Craigslist. I'm looking to get the car on the road and then perhaps later I'll consider an improved wheel/tire combination.

This is what I have:

1967 Dart
Rear spring relocation kit installed by previous owner (3 inch per side I think) combined with a mini-tub.
A-body 8.75 rear end with large bolt pattern axles and B-body drum brakes
1973 front cross member
1973 disc brake conversion - all standard Chrysler parts.
Tubular upper A arms

I currently prefer to use the same size wheel and tire at all corners. It doesn't have to be the largest tire that will fit. A little "safety margin" is OK with me. I understand the Ford "register" diameter is smaller than the Mopar. I'm prepared to machine the diameter larger.

My options appear to be:

1. Go with the 1994-2004 17x8 Bullitt wheel (which has a 5.72 inch backspace) combined with a 245/45-17 tire.

Will this fit the front and rear without spacers? Is a larger tire possible?

2. Try the 2005-2010 17x8 Bullitt wheel. This wheel has a 6.29 backspace.
I assume I would run the same 245/45-17 tire. With that much backspace it may work on the back but hit the steering arm on the front. Based on what I've read spacers are required.

Any and all feedback is appreciated. Thanks!
Click to expand...

#1 will fit the front but be tucked way in on the rear
 
In the front you'll need a spacer. With the 5.72" backspace rims the spacer only needs to be about 1/8", otherwise the rim hits the outer tie rod. The max backspace on a 17" OE bullit rim is about 5.6" in the front before the tie rod becomes an issue. You should be able to run a 245/45/17 no problem, and you should have no issues running a 255/45/17 either, although that's going to be the widest tire recommended for a 17x8" rim.

In the back, if you've got a 3" relocation and a minitub you can fit pretty much anything up to a 335. But the 17x8" will probably limit you to a 255/45/17. Not because of the space you've got, just because that's about all you'll find for tires for a 17" that will fit on a 17x8. The 5.72" backspace shouldn't be a problem with the spring relocation and mini-tub, you should have plenty of clearance everywhere. You'll probably have about an inch to the quarters, it won't look horrible but there will be some room. I'd see if I could find a 17x10 Bullit replica, there are a couple of tires still in a 285/40/17 but they'd need a 9.5" wide rim minimum. There is not much selection in street tires wider than that for a 17" though. A few drag radials, a couple of street tires, and a few autox/road race tires. Pretty slim for wide tires for a 17" that aren't drag radials or race only.
 
I thought Ford had a larger register, not a smaller one?
 
jos51700 said:
I thought Ford had a larger register, not a smaller one?
Click to expand...

Nope. Not on the Mustang's anyway. The OE Bullit rims need the hub bore opened up to work with the 73+ disks.
 
Thanks guys! I figured I would have lots of room in the back, but it may not look the best. I think I'll give it a try if I can pick-up some wheels fairly cheap. After getting it on the road and learning more I'll consider going wider on the back as suggested. I have no real experience with wheels. In the past all I did was go with the 14 or 15 inch stock Mopar rallye's and a BF Goodrich radial TA. I think it's time to step up to 17 inch for more tire selection (but I don't think I'm ready for 18's).
 
Grow some stones and get 18's, you won't regret it.

IMAG1311_1.jpg
 
Wheels and tires are: XXR 535 18x8.75, +35 offset, 6.25" backspace, 245/40x18 front, 255/40x18 rear, BFG G-force comp 2
 
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