Winter Wheels

[burt ragio]

Need winter wheels & tires. New or slightly used.
What size 16" rims lug & offset do I need to look for ?

[RubberCtyRauder]

Look for 16" or 17" Crown vic steel wheels, cheap to come by. AS long as you don't have a big brake kit up front they fit with proper offset already

16 x 7 or 17 x 7.5 and you need 2003-2005 16" or 2006+ 17"..can not use 1998-2002, wrong offset

[RubberCtyRauder]

Here you go

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=66028

[burt ragio]

16"steel wheels with or with out snows needed new or slightly used.

[Ambitious1]

You can try the Parts for Sale listings. Do you have any recycling / junk yards in your area? You may find some there. You can of course, try Craigslist in your area and eBay.

[RubberCtyRauder]

when i had a CV sport, got mine thru car-part.com for a better deal since i bought 4 at a time.

[EMAS]

Look at your local craigslist and search Mustang. You want ones for 05 up. I've managed to pick up two sets of these with center caps http://www.ebay.com/itm/FORD-MUSTANG-05-09-WHEEL-RIM-OEM-16-74R331007HA-/311722127806?hash=item48941631 be:g:fOoAAOSw8w1YBThY&vxp=mtr for $100 a set with center caps and lugs in one case. One of those have my daughter's winter tires on.

I've also picked up two sets of these for $100 a set. http://www.ebay.com/itm/one-17-Ford-Mustang-wheel-original-equipment-OEM-17-inches-Ford-Mustang-rim-/222319367923?hash=item33c34456 f3:g:dLcAAOSwjVVVr89U&vxp=mtr one of which actually included 2 almost new tires.

There have been others these are just the ones that I didn't have to drive far. I did drive a bit and pay $150 for the set of Bullitt wheels that my winter tires for my P71 are on.

[Logizyme]

Traditional designs of 16" steel wheels will not clear the factory brakes. The 03-05 was a unique design to allow it to clear the brakes. The average tire shop's universal 16" steel wheels are unlikely to work

03-05 wheels are the best bet, 16" tires are the cheapest and most readily available.

06+ steel wheels are also good but are 17"

Factory CPVI tire sizes will work well, but will set off traction control (if equipped)

If shopping for universal steel wheels:

5x4.5 (5x114.3) lug pattern
17" diameter suggested
7-7.5 inch width suggested (standard)
High positive offset

If you want to match the staggered tire size to keep traction control happy with 17" wheels:

235/55/17
235/65/17

which are available in:
Bridgestone Blizzak
Continental Wintercontact
General Altimax Arctic (studdable)
Dunlop SP Winter

[burt ragio]

What offset do I look for front & rear ?

[RF Overlord]

Approx 5%. IIRC the minimum is 3%...

[burt ragio]

What millimeter is the positive offset of the front and rear wheels ?

[RubberCtyRauder]

just buy crown vic or marquis wheels 2003 and up and no worries of offset. they are correct. front and rear rims are same size and width

[crouse]

I know some guys buy up the non-polished full size spare wheels.

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=102884

[Ambitious1]

Not looking to hijack this thread, but do the OEM MM forged wheels have issues with the salt that is traditionally found in northern states?

I haven't noticed any issues but is there any concern since they are forged aluminum and not chrome? What is everyone's experience with those living in state where you get snow and the roads are salted?

[RubberCtyRauder]

salt will eat the clearcoat and oxidize the aluminum underneath. they also use calcium chloride as a pretreater in many states. that stuff eats wiring,steel,aluminum

[ctrlraven]

I sold my old setup of the steelies to another member and upgraded to 18x8" 2010 Mustang GT wheels from AmericanMuscle http://www.americanmuscle.com/black-2010-oestyle-wheels-1011.html and wrapped them in Goodyear WRT Ice tires 235/50-18 Front and 255/55-18 on the rear. Great traction in dry and wet weather even with being such a soft compound tire.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a164/ctrlraven/2012-11-12_10-38-32_382.jpg

[crownvic05]

that set up looks real nice

[Ambitious1]

Great looking wheels!

[burt ragio]

Looks great but I want the skinniies in all four corners for the winter.