Stock wheel size

[merc]

I am working on a new set of custom wheels and I wanted some info about stock wheel size.

Backspace ?
Offset ?
Bolt size ?

[DWSTANG67]

Look at the 3rd post down

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=68478

[merc]

Look at the 3rd post down

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=68478

I looked at that post and didn't find the offset and the backspace seemed slightly off. I thought the backspace was 6.75 or something.

[ChiTownMaraud3r]

The offset is 45mm.

[RubberCtyRauder]

Offset is 45mm

[merc]

I think I found what I am looking for in another thread.

To calculate the backspacing of our 50mm offset wheels:
Our wheels are 8 inches wide .... this means that the bead seat is 8" wide, the total width of most wheels is 1" wider than the bead seat so that gives us 9". Therefore the center of the wheel is 4.5" in and then you have to add the 50mm offset to get backspacing. 50mm / 25.4 = 1.97"
1.97+ 4.5 = 6.47" backspacing measuring from the edge of the rim or
1.97 + 4 = 5.97" if measuring from the bead seat. (If you are actually going to order wheels, please measure yours first to verify my calculations!)

[RubberCtyRauder]

6.75 rear spacing leaves no room on a 8 inch wide rim for hub thickness etc. 6.295 is correct

[merc]

I always thought the OEM wheels where 50 mm offset. The mustang wheels looked like the Mercury wheels but where slightly different to include the center cap.

SergntMac
12-10-2003, 11:46 AM
Our OEM rims are an odd 50 mm offset, odd because no other FMC product requires a 50 MM offset but our MMs. The reason the MM has this odd offset, is because the '03 Panther platform introduced a new frame design that moved the rear shocks to the outside of the frame. The 50 mm offset allows the OEM BFG tires about 2" of clearance between the shock and the inside of the tire. Since there are no other Panthers needing 50 mm, options are scarce, but I believe some Mustang wheels with close but not exach offsets would fit just fine, as long as your selected tires clear the shocks. Otherwise, the rear (and front for that matter) wheel wells have acres of room for custom tire sizes. Also watch your numbers of you have upgraded the front brakes, and be careful where the tire dude mounts the wheel weights.

I'm puzzeled about the Trilogy expansion to 9.5 wide rims. When I first saw the wheels last May, they looked like a clean upgrade and a good fit. I am under the impression that the Trilogy #1 car ran all summer on the wider rims, with Nitto 305x45x18 drag radials mounted. However, I don't recall ever hearing any 411 about difficulty in mounting this combo. Until another member here expressed frustration with the 9.5 fit, I believed they fit naturally (without spacers and/or lug bolt/nut change). Anyone have more 411 on this? Also, if the 9.5 option is too wide for a natural fit, would a 9.0 option be worthwhile?

One of our friends who cannot post here, Bill Hall from Portsmouth VA., won his local Track Championship last season. Bill drives a Kenny Brown Marauder S, (in Kenny's stock trim...LOL) using BFG drag radials on our OEM wheel. This may be a good combo to consider, seems to have worked for Bill.

One thing I have learned over this past summer, is that mixing bias ply slicks like the Mickey Thompson ET Streets with radial tires on the front, is an "exciting" ride. Be sure to test the car thoroughly before driving to win, you'll have some issues to deal with between the 1/8 and 1/4 mile. But, you can deal with them. Low tire pressure give maximum grip here, but that causes some mid-track control isues. You'll have to find the right balance between grip and stability, but I believe this is possible with a lot of patience.

I have no advice to offer about the front wheels/tires. Brake upgrades will be an obstacle to finding something sufficiently skinny to reduce front end rolling resistance. My only advice at this time is to use what you have and inflate to maximum pressure to minimize resistance. Maybe find the cheapest and smallest tire size that will fit the OEM wheel? If you're going to drag race frequently, there may be some alignment settings that would also be helpful in maintaining a straight ahead path.

[MOTOWN]

Marauder wheels are forged 18X8 on a +50mm offset.