Nice Ford Racing wheels

[Donny Carlson]

I saw these on display at Bleakley Ford when I bought my tranny pan. These are nice, and If I were looking to change my stock wheels, these would be on the top of the short list. These are 5.96" back spacing, 4.5" lug pattern, 18" wheels for the cobra. The F500 has a darker spoke, the F500C has bright polished spokes, and the F500B has black spokes.

M1007F500 is $220 at Bleakley, M1007F500C is $330, and M1007F500B is $225.50

[Patrick]

I saw these on display at Bleakley Ford when I bought my tranny pan. These are nice, and If I were looking to change my stock wheels, these would be on the top of the short list. These are 5.96" back spacing, 4.5" lug pattern, 18" wheels for the cobra. The F500 has a darker spoke, the F500C has bright polished spokes, and the F500B has black spokes.

M1007F500 is $220 at Bleakley, M1007F500C is $330, and M1007F400B is $225.50
The first set would be cool!!!111

[SergntMac]

Not really new wheels, or, new news, Donny, but thanks for the updated pics.

The F500 and F500C wheels have been listed on the back covers of the FRP catalogue, both 2003 and 2004 editions. The black centered F400B is new, and they are seductive as add-ons to any Black MM. Perhaps it's just a gossy black powercoat treatment of the F500 wheel?

That said, who among us can convert the advertised 5.97 inch backspace to our 50mm backspace, 'cause I can't worki those numbers, and I don't think these wheels will fit our MMs because of that offset. Moreso unfit if y'all have the BaerClaw front brake upgrade.

Nice wheels though...Love the centercaps.

Sigh...

[joflewbyu2]

SergntMac, to convert the mm offset to inches is easy. Our MM rims are 18x8 with a 50 mm offset. This means the mating surface is 50mm from the centerline of the rim. If our wheels are 8" wide, our centerline is at the 4" mark and from there the surface is 50mm. 25.4 mm is equal to 1 inch - so ourwheels are 4" x 25.4 plus 50mm divided by 25.4 = 5.968 Now those wheels are 9" wide so as they sit on a MM, the inside will sit in the same spot but the outside dimension will be 1" further out.

[joflewbyu2]

now if someone is willing to trade 5 of the black wheels for my 5 polished Marauder wheels, I'll be the guinee pig.

[modular46]

what SergntMac meant was not how to do the math, but how to manufacture "negative unspacers" to correct the offset. They will not fit and look or "act" right.

Your math is correct.

I have a set of the Ford Racing wheel centers and ran them on my black powdercoated stock wheels for a while, they look cheap compared to the stock caps. IMHO I took them off.

The black versions are cool, I saw them on an Explorer during the Hot Rod Power Tour.

[Constable]

These are just versions of the FR500 wheels that were on the (you guessed it) FR500 Mustang from a few years back. They'll stick out from the fenderwells and look really funny.

http://www.fast-autos.net/ford/mustangfr500.jpg

[jspradii]

The first set would be cool!!!111
How wide do they come?

[modular46]

These are just versions of the FR500 wheels that were on the (you guessed it) FR500 Mustang from a few years back. They'll stick out from the fenderwells and look really funny.

http://www.fast-autos.net/ford/mustangfr500.jpg

You are so right :bandit:

[MENINBLK]

That said, who among us can convert the advertised 5.97 inch backspace to our 50mm backspace, 'cause I can't worki those numbers, and I don't think these wheels will fit our MMs because of that offset.

50 mm converts roughly to 2" (1.9685")
5.97" converts to 151.638 mm, so no fit...

[Donny Carlson]

50 mm converts roughly to 2" (1.9685")
5.97" converts to 151.638 mm, so no fit...I thought the >offset< was 50mm, not backspacing. As posted before, these wheels will fit, the innder rims will be the same only the outer rims will stick out 1" more than OEM.

[Donny Carlson]

These are just versions of the FR500 wheels that were on the (you guessed it) FR500 Mustang from a few years back. They'll stick out from the fenderwells and look really funny.

Unless you went to the trouble of having the wheel openings flared out more. I know this is pricey, but doable. And the advantage of running wider tires without having to widen stock wheels.

[studio460]

50 mm converts roughly to 2" (1.9685")
5.97" converts to 151.638 mm, so no fit...
So . . . these WON'T fit our Marauders? Or they will fit but stick out an inch? I don't think it's a problem (visually) if they stick out one inch--our wheel wells are huge as it is (well, lemme go and check). But I wouldn't want to throw the geometry of the car out of whack, but dang, IMO, those black wheels are the ****zz . . . If these DO fit, I think I just fell in love . . .

[SergntMac]

I thought the >offset< was 50mm, not backspacing. As posted before, these wheels will fit, the innder rims will be the same only the outer rims will stick out 1" more than OEM.
All I can say here, is that when a wheel manfacturer states "backspace," it's usually expressed in "inches." When they say "offset," that is usually expressed in millimeters. Both mean to express exactly where the center of the wheel is, in relationship to the rim, and converting either to the measurement you need to know for correct fit, is a chore. Now, about that 1" addition to the outside of the wheel...

Unless you went to the trouble of having the wheel openings flared out more. I know this is pricey, but doable. And the advantage of running wider tires without having to widen stock wheels.
So...These wheels fit our MMs just fine, once we flare the fenderwells out? Somehow, this doesn't fit my interpretation of correct fit. Where's the advantage, Donny? And, what about the frame rub on the inside during a hard turn?

Having once used 255/50/18 tires on OEM 8" rims on the front of my MM, the rubbing noise coming from the front wheel wells in a lock to lock turn, tells me that anything wider/taller than 255/50 tires, or, an 8 inch wide rim, will not fit on the front.

The OEM Marauder wheel is 8" wide and will take up to a 255/45 tire in front. The "Lidio" widened wheel on the rear stretches width to 9.5", which will take up to a 295/50 tire, and the widening is about 250. per wheel.

They are pretty, Donny, I'll give you that. But, they won't fit without other (read expensive and permanent) modifications, and that's no advantage, eh?

[RoyLPita]

See if the Dealer can get you a better price. Also, there is a pic somewhere of Dennis' MM with Mustang "Bullitt" wheels on it. They stick out but still fit.

[joflewbyu2]

SergntMac, back spacing is from the inner wheel lip and offset is measured from the center of the wheel width. Yes, the wheels will fit fine without rubbing the inside anywhere. yes the outer lip will be out 1", which will allow a wider tire or if kept the same size the outer tire will only stick out 1/2 the distance of the 1" wider outer.

[modular46]

We could simulate the extra outboard 1" by using a 1" spacer, if there is enough thread length. Not to drive but just to check static fit. I still think 1" outboard is too much, especially when we'd want to add a wider tire.

I'll do mine soon and post pics.

[Marauder]

We could simulate the extra outboard 1" by using a 1" spacer, if there is enough thread length. Not to drive but just to check static fit. I still think 1" outboard is too much, especially when we'd want to add a wider tire.

I'll do mine soon and post pics.

Since the rims on our cars have such a high offset for a RWD car, our choices are limited.

These rims have the same specs as 9" wide Cobr R rims. Didn't DR, or Trilogy, or someone try Cobra R rims in the rear of a Marauder for Drag radials and they stuck out of the car?

For the front, there isn't much space to put a wider rim. A 9" wide rim "MAY" fit but that offeset better be better than perfect. :D

[SergntMac]

Didn't DR, or Trilogy, or someone try Cobra R rims in the rear of a Marauder for Drag radials and they stuck out of the car?
Yes...first seen last year at Marauderville-I, and they were 17" wheels too.

[joflewbyu2]

Dennis Reinhart had the cobra wheels on a blue MM a while back. Might want to check w/ him.

[Constable]

DR has 17 x 9 Cobra R's on the front (with 245/45/17's?) and 17 x 10.5 Cobra R's on the rear with 315 Nittos. The rims fit fine, but they stick WAY out of the wheelwells. The tire sizes are also a lot shorter than stock, so new programming would be needed to run them.

[CRUZTAKER]

I had crown vic wheels on my marauder for the first few months of ownership to accomodate some snow tires in a pinch. I can assure you...the extra inch sticking out IS NOT appealing to the eye.

Somewhere I have pics if anyone must really see this malady...:rolleyes:

[joflewbyu2]

what SergntMac meant was not how to do the math, but how to manufacture "negative unspacers" to correct the offset. They will not fit and look or "act" right.

Your math is correct.

I have a set of the Ford Racing wheel centers and ran them on my black powdercoated stock wheels for a while, they look cheap compared to the stock caps. IMHO I took them off.

The black versions are cool, I saw them on an Explorer during the Hot Rod Power Tour.
WHAT THE HECK IS A "NEGATIVE UNSPACERS"? you're making this sh it up? You would shave the inner mounting surface of the wheel to create more offset/backspacing.

[Donny Carlson]

All I can say here, is that when a wheel manfacturer states "backspace," it's usually expressed in "inches." When they say "offset," that is usually expressed in millimeters. Both mean to express exactly where the center of the wheel is, in relationship to the rim, and converting either to the measurement you need to know for correct fit, is a chore. Now, about that 1" addition to the outside of the wheel...?First, a disclaimer. I am in no way an expert at wheels. My opinion is based on my understanding of wheel terms, and my understanding may be wrong. Mac, I give your opinion a lot of weight because you have direct experience with widen rims and wider tires. That doesn't mean that I may agree with you, at least not at this time.

American Racing's website defines the terms "backspacing" and "offset" as -

Backside setting/Back spacing- The measurement from the mounting pad to the inner edge of the wheel.


Offset- The offset of the wheel is the distance from the mounting pad to the centerline of the wheel


My understanding, therefore, is that Marauder wheels have a mounting pad that is 50 mm from the centerline of the wheel, and the distance from the mounting pad to the edge of the wheel is 6"

The wheels I posted about have virtually the same back spaceing, 5.98"
That suggests to me that there will not be a problem with the inner side of the wheel rubbing.

I looked, but could not find, the offset for these wheels. This is important info, and I'll call Ford Racing about it.

Assuming the offset is the same or close, then I believe the outer rim will be about 1" further out than the Marauder rim. I've looked at my car today, and though the rear could accomodate another inch, I'm not sure about the fronts, due to the lowering from Eibachs on my car. It would be pretty close.


So...These wheels fit our MMs just fine, once we flare the fenderwells out? Somehow, this doesn't fit my interpretation of correct fit. Where's the advantage, Donny? And, what about the frame rub on the inside during a hard turn??The remark about flaring was intended to be a solution to the appearance problem, i.e. the flares would take care of the look of the tires sticking out beyond the wheel openings. But, yeah, if you flared the fronts it would make it easier to put on these wheels, imo. To be clear here, I think a stock, unlowered MM could accomodate these wheels, and a lowered MM may not be able to. Advantage? What advantage is spending $2500 for a non functional hood scoop? Because you like the look of it. Same for polishing engine parts, or custom paint jobs, or for that matter, dropping $5,000+ on a sound system. If flaring out the wheels is something you want to do, and you like the results, then it's worth it.

I don't think there will be a frame rubbing problem. Again, my uneducated opinion.

Oh, and lest I forget, these are 18" wheels. I know Mustang 17"s were used on MM's, but these >are< 18's

I want to say again, I have no interest in changing my stock MM wheels, which are beautiful and a big part of the car, imo. But those of us who have been looking at aftermarket wheels, well, I saw these in person, thought they looked good, and just wanted to toss them out for discussion.

[joflewbyu2]

This is simple stuff here !! The wheels have the same backspacing - 5.98". The MM wheels are 8" wide & the FR are 9" wide. As I said earlier, the wheel will sit the same distance inward but 1" further outward. If you use the same width tires, the tires will sit 1/2" further outward since the extra inch pulls the width from the inward point and splits it. IF YOU WANT THE SAME OFFSET OF 50 MM - the wheel will sit 1/2" more inward & 1/2 outward too. This makes up the 1" difference in width. If you still don't understand, reread this again.

[modular46]

WHAT THE HECK IS A "NEGATIVE UNSPACERS"? you're making this sh it up? You would shave the inner mounting surface of the wheel to create more offset/backspacing.

I was making a joke. Sorry you have no sense of humor, but are willing to insult someone you do not know. :shake: The real deal is with a wheel that has more positive offset, a spacer can make up that dimension. On our Marauder, there is NO WAY a wheel with less positive offset, especially 1" will work correctly. Shaving material from the mounting surface, while theoretically possible, is not an optimum solution.

Again, the wheels we are discussing are very nice. I considered the original ones that have been sold for about 2 years now, the 1" is a great big deal. If it could be reduced to 1/2" or less that would not be bad. I've done the math over and over again.

btw -- some wheel manufacturers use backspacing as the dimension from the mounting pad to the edge of the rim, while others use the edge of the rim minus the bead depth. The useage of the most inboard edge is generally accepted these days. I believe Ford is using the innermost edge of the wheel.

[Donny Carlson]

Ibtw -- some wheel manufacturers use backspacing as the dimension from the mounting pad to the edge of the rim, while others use the edge of the rim minus the bead depth. The useage of the most inboard edge is generally accepted these days. I believe Ford is using the innermost edge of the wheel.
This may not be the easiest way to prove this tire will fit or not, but it'll work. If some cooperative FRP dealer would allow you to mount a tire on this wheel, then test fit it on the car, we would know for sure about clearances, how it looked, etc. Hmmm, wonder if I can talk Wayne into this....

[Donny Carlson]

So . . . these WON'T fit our Marauders? Or they will fit but stick out an inch? I don't think it's a problem (visually) if they stick out one inch--our wheel wells are huge as it is (well, lemme go and check). But I wouldn't want to throw the geometry of the car out of whack, but dang, IMO, those black wheels are the ****zz . . . If these DO fit, I think I just fell in love . . .
I think they will fit, and maybe stick out only 1/2 inch. I rather like the ones that are polished with the machined spokes, but I can see how you'd like the black ones. They are nice.

[modular46]

This may not be the easiest way to prove this tire will fit or not, but it'll work. If some cooperative FRP dealer would allow you to mount a tire on this wheel, then test fit it on the car, we would know for sure about clearances, how it looked, etc. Hmmm, wonder if I can talk Wayne into this....


Sounds like a plan. By the way, how's Vulcan? My mom was in the parade when Vulcan was first brought to Birmingham. I remember as a kid climbing the many flights of stairs to the top. I liked the fish in the fountains (not sure when they did away with them).

[joflewbyu2]

modular46, you obviously DON'T understand. Same backspacing on both wheels - one wheel is 8" wide - the other is 9" wide so the offset would only be 1/2" or 13mm different. 37 mm positive offset on the 9" rim.

[Donny Carlson]

Sounds like a plan. By the way, how's Vulcan? My mom was in the parade when Vulcan was first brought to Birmingham. I remember as a kid climbing the many flights of stairs to the top. I liked the fish in the fountains (not sure when they did away with them).
He's been fully restored and Vulcan Park is undergoing a big transformation.

Clicky: http://www.vulcanpark.org/

http://www.vulcanpark.org/images/logo.jpg (http://www.vulcanpark.org/index.html)

[modular46]

modular46, you obviously DON'T understand. Same backspacing on both wheels - one wheel is 8" wide - the other is 9" wide so the offset would only be 1/2" or 13mm different. 37 mm positive offset on the 9" rim.


No understand completely. If the wheels have the same backspace as ours then that extra 1" has to go to the outside, unless the laws of physics are somehow different in Florida.

[joflewbyu2]

modular46, see Dennis Reinhart's web page. The blue MM has the 17x9 with 5.98" backspacing in the pics. So it does indeed work.

[modular46]

modular46, see Dennis Reinhart's web page. The blue MM has the 17x9 with 5.98" backspacing in the pics. So it does indeed work.


Didn't think I said it wouldn't work. I said it would stick out an extra 1".

[modular46]

for more info

wheel terminology and drawings (http://www.wheelvintiques.com/measure.html)

[Donny Carlson]

modular46, see Dennis Reinhart's web page. The blue MM has the 17x9 with 5.98" backspacing in the pics. So it does indeed work.Okay, so this is how the FRP wheels would look, only they would be 18"s. Note that the car is not lowered, though. Thay may be an issue with the 18's I think it looks good.

[Marauder]

The 2003 Cobra has 26mm offset, 6.11" rear spacing so those may work a hair better.

[joflewbyu2]

modular46, this is what you said "On our Marauder, there is NO WAY a wheel with less positive offset, especially 1" will work correctly." Of course this will work depending upon width of the wheel. width and offset or backspacing determine where the wheel will sit in the wheel well.

[joflewbyu2]

people please post width with offset or backspacing in your posts or part #s. you need all the ingredients to make a correct decision. cobra wheels come in different widths.

[modular46]

modular46, this is what you said "On our Marauder, there is NO WAY a wheel with less positive offset, especially 1" will work correctly." Of course this will work depending upon width of the wheel. width and offset or backspacing determine where the wheel will sit in the wheel well.

Yes, you are right about this. I had the wheel we've been talking about in mind.

[klmore]

Would these wheels work in the rear only for Drag Radials? I'm thinking of buying two to use at the drag strip on the weekends. I could mock them up in the front to see what they look like.

I'm calling Lamarque Ford in Kenner, LA on Monday for prices. They are the largest SVT and Ford Performance parts dealer in my area. My two local Ford dealerships couldn't help at all.

[jspradii]

Would these wheels work in the rear only for Drag Radials? I'm thinking of buying two to use at the drag strip on the weekends. I could mock them up in the front to see what they look like.

I'm calling Lamarque Ford in Kenner, LA on Monday for prices. They are the largest SVT and Ford Performance parts dealer in my area. My two local Ford dealerships couldn't help at all.
Check your PM's.