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EDIT: Finally Done! Pulled the trigger on Mustang rims (30mm offset) PICS!

12K views 27 replies 11 participants last post by  NefCanuck  
#1 ·
I've asked a few questions over the past few months on fitment of rims (especially Mustang ones), and everybody has been very helpful.

Thank you. :)

Mainly due to this economy, I've been putting it off, but I cant put it off any longer. I'm on a tight budget, thats why I'm looking at takeoffs.

These are just like the ones in the Car Color vs. Wheel Color thread a while back.

http://www.fordfusionclub.com/index.php?topic=182310.0

Fast forward a couple of months. I did not get those, but I'm looking at another identical set, wheels only. Great price.

Before I pull the trigger on these, 1 more question....

These are 17x8, 30mm offset, from a 2004 Mustang. Some of you have similar bullitt rims on your Fusions, but the ones I can find on this forum are from the 2005 and up Mustangs, which have a 45mm offset.

I've looked at the offset calculator, and the Fusion Fitment guide, and according to that, they will fit.

8.0in +26 - +44 offset
They will stick out 29mm (1.1") further. Just inside the fender.

Just because they will fit, doesn't mean they wont look goofy.

Opinions welcome on the possible goofy-ness, please.

Thanks again in advance!
 
#2 ·
Re: One more question before I pull the trigger on Mustang rims (30mm offset)

I think they will be good
 
#3 ·
Re: One more question before I pull the trigger on Mustang rims (30mm offset)

[quote author=HALOREALM link=topic=185701.msg3922325#msg3922325 date=1296616108]
I think they will be good
[/quote]
I think they will look fine, but not sure how they will handle.
What tire you runnin'? -235/50/17?? Is that stock size?

My Fusion has the 16" but are they 6.5" or 7" wide??
I have seen both quoted on this board>>.
I would like to upsize to 225/50 or prehaps 215/55 if it is 6.5"..??
-Thanks
 
#4 ·
Re: One more question before I pull the trigger on Mustang rims (30mm offset)

[quote author=morgan2112 link=topic=185701.msg3923612#msg3923612 date=1296703018]
[quote author=HALOREALM link=topic=185701.msg3922325#msg3922325 date=1296616108]
I think they will be good
[/quote]
I think they will look fine, but not sure how they will handle.
What tire you runnin'? -235/50/17?? Is that stock size?

My Fusion has the 16" but are they 6.5" or 7" wide??
I have seen both quoted on this board>>.
I would like to upsize to 225/50 or prehaps 215/55 if it is 6.5"..??
-Thanks[/quote]

So far it's just the rims. Not sure what size tires I'll get....was thinking about 245/45-17's, but I think I may stick with the stock size, 225/50-17. Since these rims will stick out more than the stock ones, I don't think I'll need the extra bulge the 245's would have. As far as handling, I would think that the wider stance that these would give would improve handling, or at least not make it worse.

The stock 16" Fusion wheels are 6.5". At least thru '09.

Thanks.
 
#5 ·
Re: One more question before I pull the trigger on Mustang rims (30mm offset)

I figured they were 6.5"..
Will 225/50's be too wide?
I'm interested to see how your stang 17's work out, I may have to go that way. :cheers: :blue:
 
#6 ·
Re: One more question before I pull the trigger on Mustang rims (30mm offset)

[quote author=morgan2112 link=topic=185701.msg3924459#msg3924459 date=1296773954]
I figured they were 6.5"..
Will 225/50's be too wide?
I'm interested to see how your stang 17's work out, I may have to go that way. :cheers: :blue:
[/quote]

225/50-16 wont be too wide, but it will be shorter than stock: 24.9" vs 25.7" for stock tires. Might look funny.
A 225/55-16 will get you 25.9", which is fine, and is among a number of sizes listed on some tire installers websites as an alternate tire size for the Fusion.



Well I got the rims, they are Ford OEM's but a couple of them are going to need a little work. Got them pretty cheap, so........you get what you pay for, I guess. It's pretty much all I was willing to spend other than just getting new tires for the stock alloys.
I guess a little sanding, rubbing buffing, polishing, buffing, rubbing, more polishing, elbow grease and time spent never hurt anybody.

This damned economy has made me into such a tightwad. :roll: :x

I probably won't be able to get tires on them and mounted on the car until sometime next week.
I will post pics when it's done.

EDIT: After sanding and polishing. New SR centercaps. Not perfect, but a heck of alot better than they were.

Image


Image




I'm still not sure what size tire to go with; I'm kinda shying away from the 245/45-17 a little. Maybe too much bulge in addition to the lower offset....still dunno yet. Need to research the added weight. Probably the stock size 225/50-17, or I've seen somewhere a couple of people were happy with 235/50-17's, for about a half inch of extra height in the wheel wells. About as far away as I'd want to go from stock diameter, I think. I understand this will decrease acceleration, and since I'm running a Steeda tune, that's prolly not a good idea.
 
#7 ·
Re: One more question before I pull the trigger on Mustang rims (30mm offset)

I'm using Mustang wheels that I had laying around for my winter wheels. I put on 235/45/17 tires on it. The 245/45/17's looked ok when I test fit it on the car. Your also going to need hub centric rings, the fusion hubs are smaller than that of the mustang. I also had to use my SCT tuner to adjust the speedo, since the tire isn't as tall as the OEM 225/45/18's.
Image

Image

Image

Image
 
#8 ·
Re: One more question before I pull the trigger on Mustang rims (30mm offset)

Chris00gt,
Thanks for the pics.
Those look fine, don't stick out too much. Do you know if the are also a 30mm offset?
Also, did you happen to drive the Fusion with the 245/45-17's on there? If so, how was the ride?
 
#9 ·
Re: One more question before I pull the trigger on Mustang rims (30mm offset)

The mustang 17x8 wheels fits nice on a fusion. I do believe the the have the 30mm, they are factory 1996 Mustang GT wheels that I used to run on my 91 when I converted to 5 lug. I did have the 245/45/17's on for a few days just to check clearance or rubbing issues, and all was fine. The overall ride was the same for me, the only real thing I noticed the steering felt a bit heavier and the car bump steered a bit more.
 
#10 ·
Re: One more question before I pull the trigger on Mustang rims (30mm offset)

Thanks for all the info Chris.

I'm going with the 245/45-17's; I found a really nice set of barely used Michelins with 8-9/32" tread left for $180, so I grabbed them. Got the rims also, one rim had a very slight flat spot that I'm getting fixed. When it comes back this week I'll get 'em mounted up and take some pics.
 
#11 ·
Finally DONE! Pulled the trigger on Mustang rims (30mm offset)

Well, after months of one thing or another, I have finally got the Mustang bullitt rims and tires on the car. :)

From another thread about these wheels:

[quote author=joenintiesc link=topic=182310.msg3858736#msg3858736 date=1289742145]
Should be a whole different car with those wheels. [/quote]

It really does change the whole look of it. Much more aggressive looking to me.

They definitely stick out further than the stock ones, but stop just short enough. (to me, anyways). I was a little concerned about that, but I think they're fine. The tires are 245/45-17 Michelins. Makes for a nice wide footprint. As Chris mentioned, the steering feels a slight bit heavier, but not much.
Overall, I'm very happy with it. Even though I did this in 'super budget mode', these (the anthracite grey) wheels have always been a favorite wheel of mine. Had I had $2000 to blow on wheels, I think I still would have got these......(maybe new though, instead of Craigslist). :wink:

Pictures as promised:

Image


Image


A shot to show how much an 1 1/2" wheel width increase and 10mm less offset looks.

Image


Image


Image
 
#12 ·
I guess if the goal is to be different then that goal has been achieved. I really feel like the mustang swaps are just to check the "rims" box on the list of mods.
 
#13 ·
[quote author=aggoodin link=topic=185701.msg3940017#msg3940017 date=1298212066]
I really feel like the mustang swaps are just to check the "rims" box on the list of mods.[/quote]

Well, today you are wrong. :)
Just wondering if you read anyrthing in this thread, or just saw a Bullitt wheel thread and made a blanket statement?
You know, the part where I said these have always been a favorite wheel of mine....
And my limited budget.

Another reason I went with factory take offs is I feel factory wheels are better made than alot of aftermarket ones.
http://www.fordfusionclub.com/index.php?topic=156877.msg3339032#msg3339032

I don't need to make a 'check off' of anything. I did it because I like them, and I needed tires, and it all came together.
I know you don't like them; I remember you from another thread about these rims....I think you said they make you puke. And that's fine, we all have opinions, and we can't all like the same thing. I'd also like for this thread to not turn into that one, if that's ok.

Could be worse for you...I could have these and the monochrome.... :wink:
 
#14 ·
Gold Subaru wheels on a blue Subaru are a favorite of mine but I ain't slapping them on a Fusion even if I got them for free.

And I do agree that factory wheels are better quality than most aftermarket. All these chinese gravity cast aluminum wheels out there that people get 4 for like $300 shipped really are trash. Dangerous trash. But hey.... they got rims! check

I have moved on to a fiesta these days but I spent a lot of time on the fusion and still watch the boards and would probably buy another one in the future as a beater as long as it wasn't a monochrome with bullitt rims.
And I have good taste in wheels.... pro race 1.2's in white

http://forums.focaljet.com/group-buys/591364-team-dynamics-pro-race-super-buy.html

http://forums.focaljet.com/7584483-post786.html
 
#16 ·
That looks awesome! Very nice. Only thing I'd do is swap out the centre cap for maybe an SVT or a blank one. Thats the ONLY thing that I myself would change if I did that (I was looking at the 2011 SVT Cobra GT500 rims). Very nice indeed!
 
#18 ·
[quote author=Trainass link=topic=185701.msg3940294#msg3940294 date=1298244208]
That looks awesome! Very nice. Only thing I'd do is swap out the centre cap for maybe an SVT or a blank one. Thats the ONLY thing that I myself would change if I did that (I was looking at the 2011 SVT Cobra GT500 rims). Very nice indeed!
[/quote]

Unless the OP got lucky and got the Bullitt set with the replaceable centre caps, he's not going to be able to do that (I have the same rims and ran into that same surprise when I wanted to replace the Mustang Ponys with something else :bash:)

But then again the way I have the rest of the car set up now, I just smile whenever I get the "Four Door Mustang" crack :lol:

NefCanuck
 
#19 ·
Looks great. I'd see if I could take the centers apart and go to a vinyl sign place and have some new centers made.
 
#21 ·
[quote author=NefCanuck link=topic=185701.msg3942680#msg3942680 date=1298436300]
[quote author=Trainass link=topic=185701.msg3940294#msg3940294 date=1298244208]
That looks awesome! Very nice. Only thing I'd do is swap out the centre cap for maybe an SVT or a blank one. Thats the ONLY thing that I myself would change if I did that (I was looking at the 2011 SVT Cobra GT500 rims). Very nice indeed!
[/quote]

Unless the OP got lucky and got the Bullitt set with the replaceable centre caps, he's not going to be able to do that (I have the same rims and ran into that same surprise when I wanted to replace the Mustang Ponys with something else :bash:)

But then again the way I have the rest of the car set up now, I just smile whenever I get the "Four Door Mustang" crack :lol:

NefCanuck
[/quote]

Nef, the OP did get lucky.:) Thing is, the pic of the wheels for sale on CL showed the rims with the Mustang center caps. When I got there to look at them, the centers were not on the wheels. They were on his new Cobra wheels. :x I wasn't real happy about that, since at the time, I had no idea how much centers were, or even where to get them. I also think it's a little ghetto to ride around w/o centers, but that's just me.
Anyways, he wouldn't budge much on price, so I declined on the wheels. Went home and did some research, and found I could get caps for around $40 +/-. Called the guy up the next day saying..."you know, you're kinda mis-representing those wheels.....pic has centers, and no mention in the ad that they really don't.....come on, man?! Told him I'd pick them up that day if he knocked off $40, and he finally agreed.
Didn't know there are some out there where you can't change them.

Thanks, Trainass! I did look at the plain ones, and they just didn't do it for me.

Image



These GT ones are like the SVT ones I've seen on ebay.

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The SVT/GT centers, maaaybe.....I like the black one a little better. Not sure about the different silvers. Something to look into down the road. Wish there was a Fusion GT or SVT though. Kinda like the ones I got too.

[quote author=acedeuce802 link=topic=185701.msg3942279#msg3942279 date=1298411371]
Personally, I think they look very nice. They would look killer with a drop as well.[/quote]

Thanks, Adam. When I saw that you posted in here, I knew there'd be something said about a drop, with everything I've read around here from you. :wink:
I agree with you...(and you too modforce, and happygonemad, and Thanks)!
Just not sure which springs. I don't think I want to go a full 2" though. So it looks like the Eibachs or the Steeda's may work for me. Not sure.
Gotta save some $$ first. Should be the next thing, though.
 
#24 ·
I've been using the 245/45ZR-17 tires for a good bit of time. The one thing I did notice is if I want to maintain a crisp feel while going over uneven pavement (enough to make the car want to pull left or right) I had to keep the tire pressure up a little higher than I normally would. but you can definitely feel the traction difference running that wider tire and for me the rev's per mile didn't change so I didn't even have to adjust that with the XCal.
 
#25 ·
[quote author=themason link=topic=185701.msg3947775#msg3947775 date=1298926811]
I've been using the 245/45ZR-17 tires for a good bit of time. The one thing I did notice is if I want to maintain a crisp feel while going over uneven pavement (enough to make the car want to pull left or right) I had to keep the tire pressure up a little higher than I normally would. but you can definitely feel the traction difference running that wider tire and for me the rev's per mile didn't change so I didn't even have to adjust that with the XCal.
[/quote]

I've been experimenting with different tire pressures with this size tire; it seemed to me that trying a little higher pressure might work better. I'm currently running about 37psi all the way around; running them lower (32) felt just a little sloppy. Might have been me over-analizing though. Like Chris00gt said, it feels a little heavier, but I like the traction difference. I really can't tell yet if acceleration is suffering due to the added weight; maybe that's due to the SCT tuner and the 93 tune....which if the price of gas keeps going up, I'm gonna have to switch out of. :x

Overall, very happy with it.
 
#26 ·
[quote author=Barchetta link=topic=185701.msg3949372#msg3949372 date=1299029249]
[quote author=themason link=topic=185701.msg3947775#msg3947775 date=1298926811]
I've been using the 245/45ZR-17 tires for a good bit of time. The one thing I did notice is if I want to maintain a crisp feel while going over uneven pavement (enough to make the car want to pull left or right) I had to keep the tire pressure up a little higher than I normally would. but you can definitely feel the traction difference running that wider tire and for me the rev's per mile didn't change so I didn't even have to adjust that with the XCal.
[/quote]

I've been experimenting with different tire pressures with this size tire; it seemed to me that trying a little higher pressure might work better. I'm currently running about 37psi all the way around; running them lower (32) felt just a little sloppy. Might have been me over-analizing though. Like Chris00gt said, it feels a little heavier, but I like the traction difference. I really can't tell yet if acceleration is suffering due to the added weight; maybe that's due to the SCT tuner and the 93 tune....which if the price of gas keeps going up, I'm gonna have to switch out of. :x

Overall, very happy with it.
[/quote]

Same Here, I've been running them between 36-38 as well and it feels a lot better than 32. You're right, it just felt way to sloppy at 32.