Hi all.. need advice on rims for an`80 bobcat hatch... I want to go to 15" or 16" rims and was wondering what rims and tire combo`s are available.. most if not all wheel calculators ask for stock rim and tires ..my door jamb placard is gone......any and all input is welcome and appreciated....tia
Vito
I`ve also researched Mustang11 forums and came up with 2 offsets..one at .39 and the other at .62...why is that, anybody know? then there is the backspacing part?? geesh the more I research the more confusing it gets.
The reason I`m posting this is with all the searching I`ve done people are stating what size they have on the car and not specifying what was OEM size was and thats what I think they want in the calculators....probably more choices in Detroit but I still don`t have my passport and we`re a small market here.. sorry for my rant.. its now over...well thanks for listening.
80bobcat,
I went through the same experience you are going through, looking at sites like Tire Rack for Pinto wheel/tire combos. They don't list wheels other than "stock" sizes when you search for wheels for Pintos: 13x5, 4 on 4.25 bolt circle, etc. So, you probably have discovered the choices are limited and no info is available for larger-than-stock wheels for this car.
I ordered wheels by width, offset, bolt circle, and center hole, with the maximum backspacing I thought I could fit under the car (actually the rear is a bit more restricted, because you can fit a 14" or 15" wheel over the front a-arms with little problem.
I wanted all four wheels to be the same, so I wound up with 15x7, 3 13/16ths backspacing (the minimum size available for that brand wheel--Minilites). Had I been willing to order two sizes of wheels, I could have ordered backspacing for the fronts in the 4-inch range.
I'd say that a good size for you will be 15x7 or 16x7 with zero offset (3.5" backspacing or a little more, but no more than 3.75"), using the 4 on 4.25" bolt pattern and 2.5" center hole. You'll have better luck finding 16" tires, but I plan to use 205/50-15s on the front and 225/50-15s on the rear. (Actually, I'm going to try the 225s on the front first as I mount them, and if they fit, I'll use 225s all around.)
You'll probably get plenty of other opinions from members here, so I'd advise that you carefully heed them all, especially those who have tires on their cars already. Your car will look great with 15-16s on it filling up the fender wells. Good luck!
Paul (Cossiepinto)
Thanks Paul... that`ll help me cut to the chase.. so I could reduce the offset to "0" (.39=10 mm) as long as the other parameters match? If so that should open up more choices.
Yes thats my plan ..to fill the wheel wells..but I`m afraid the 16" tires would look like rubber bands on rims..nice if you like it but not whatI want.
I`ll wait for others who`ve gone this route to chime in..maybe get more ideas on wheel models and part numbers on proven rims for an `80
Vito
I agree. That's why I chose 15-inchers for my wheels too. You can see the rear wheel mounted (no tire) on a picture I posted under "your project" a few weeks back, called "Cosworth Pinto Update". The wheel is a Minilite from England, 15x7/4 on 4.25 lug-stock Pinto/3 13/16 backspace (5/16 more negative offset than zero)/2.5-inch center hole. I think it will fill the fender nicely with 225/50 tires.
Although there are more 16-inch tires available, I was afraid the low profile tire I'd have to use would look like rubber bands instead of tires! Either that or I'd gain ride height by using a 50-series tire.
Sorry, I looked at the "Cosworth Pinto Update" posting and saw you couldn't really tell how the wheels filled up the fender wells, so here are a couple of pics I just took to give you a better perspective.
Paul
One more note about these pics (It's getting late and I'm forgetting stuff!): Notice that the suspension is at full droop, with those jack stands under the chassis, not the suspension. Fully loaded the wheels will certainly move a couple of inches farther into the fender wells.
I hope that helps. Let me know here if you have any other questions.
Paul
You might have some luck looking for wheels for a 79-93 Mustang, they have the same bolt pattern, and were available with 14" and 15" wheels. Many wheels (both stock and aftermarket) were available for these cars. Same goes for 80's T-birds. Hope that helps some!
Chuck
Thanks all...
Not to be doubting your info and I am thankful .. but I once got 15" 10 hole rims off a stang being parted out(i forget what year..but I was assured by an expert they would fit) and the fronts scraped all the way home..I luckily had 2 14" rims at home and switched them..but it was a loud and embarasing 30 mile ride home and with my money spent I kept the mismatched wheels..but that was the Pinto (gone) now its the Bobcat sort of why I`m looking into new ones...its that offset and backspace that is keeping me out of the local yards..I do put mustang 2 in my search but most places don`t list them either.
cossie..I got caught up in your project posts.. nice ..real nice!!
Im betting the Offset on that Stang wasn't ok with what you needed on your car. Ive got 80's Centerlines from a Junkyard, back space is good on them for the car. Not sure what it is but when i have them off next ill look. (they came off a 1985 Fox body Mustang.)
Reed had the same problem with the "hurricane" style GT rims (circa 1987-90) on the front of an early model. that's now larjohnson's car--he went back to stock 13's. My car has American Racing Outlaw 14x6.5's off a boneyard fox. No clearance issues, but I have 185/60r14's on the front.
Just trying to help! :embarrassed:
Chuck :afro:
Its all good info Disco... everything helps I was just relating my experience with those rims.. btw I really liked the look it gave the car.
much appreciated `75
Vito
Gonna go the boneyard route....retirement is upcoming..should give me plenty of time..thanks for all the input
Vito
hi i found some ten hole aluimunium wheels of a 884lug tbird that fit great some cleanihg ant whereready forf my 77 wagon215 14 60 on front tires and 2456014 on rear will give it a nace rack to itthere on my 77 blue wagon with flamers.go luck chris in ca. :hypno:
Update..well actually a non update...I will definately be going the boneyard route..some changes at work and I`m trying to snag a buyout pkg...so retirement beckons and that`ll leave me time to search the yards...but.... I will still be using this thread as my most useful info...just with the adjustment in income etc etc..I may have to wait untill the fall...again keep the info comming...thanks all
I don`t understand it?? I just got back from trying out 15" turbine rims that were supposed to of come off an `88 cougar..hit the top of the arm so bad that you couldn`t spin the wheel..1/4" spacers were of no help??(and I`ve read they`re not really safe to use) is there something I`m missing? Do those using upsized rims using specific widths..say a 5"or 6" as opossed to a 7"? should I do a 5 lug conversion on the fronts? Most of the boneyards have sent their older rims out for scrap and fox body rims are getting harder to find...like an 80`s style car is old??? geeesh!! :surprised:
Well thanks for listening and any further input is welcomed..tia
I'm perplexed too. I also have Fox-tang turbine rims that scrape, but I've also seen photos of Pintos running with them.
I have read this thread and many others that were similar, WHAT WHEELS WILL FIT MY PINTO??. I would like to see a thread on people who can HONESTLY state what fit on there PINTO. Such as on my 19-- Pinto Seadan/ Wagon I have mounted these "manufacturer" wheels of this size (complete specs) and have mounted on them this size tire (front/ rear). Also they MUST state what if any modications were required..
Alot of us Pinto owners have wasted a lot of time, money, and lost hair ??? on trying to get rid of the 13 inch wheels that offer no tire choices these days.
I used the Ford Fairmont rims, 14X6 with trim rings and chrome nuts.
If you want a stock look, go to Summit racing and check Wheel Vintiques . They have all sizes and back spacing.
Success!!!! Thanks everyone... from all the info I got from here and talking to people.. I think that those fox bodied rims as long as they`re no wider than 6" will fit our Pinto`s.. here is what I found and purchased.. they`ll shine up real nice..14"X 6" clears everything in the front end
So if I am reading you correctly, a 14 x 7 rim is not a good idea? I was going to look at some American Racing rims but if I am going to have clearance problems, no dice. Any confirmation?
Chris
FYI -
I used the wheels off my 1988 Turbo Coupe on a temporary basis. They are 225-60-16". There were a few points on the lower front wheel well where they rubbed. Slight bending with pliers took care of that.
On the rear I had to use spacers (Shhhh - they were actually washers - use at your own risk) to space the tires off the leaf spring.
The wheels/tires you see in my picture are also from a mid 80's Thunderbird. In this case 225-60-15". No rub or clearance issues anywhere. I don't know the manufacture. As a side note, they came from the wrecking yard. I was thrilled because the tires had about 2/3rds of the tread left. That was until I found out that they had visually undetectable flat spots. But sure enough I put them on the car and it was like a kiddy roller coaster. So, buyer beware.
Not pictured are the 175-70-13" tire on Mustang II wheels I am running now.
Tom
Not to argue..Whitt....but you`re refering to the tire size rubbing and not the rim as for the 7" wide rims.. they did go on and they did clear but there was no forgiving.. any flex at all..and they would hit.. they were the better of the 2 styles I looked at ..but being burned once I shyed away from them..again I stress I`m no expert but 6" with the proper backspace(thanks cossie..3 1/2") is were I would go..imho
Hi 80 Bobcat,
I was just letting anyone who might have them (lots of Turbo Coupes as donor cars around this group) that the 16" wheels fit my 1973 wagon. They were essentially "free" and that is why I used them.
I never remember the wheel itself being an issue. Perhaps it was close but I was just focused on the tire rub???
Frankly, The 16" Turbo Coupe wheels looked too hugh by my account. That is why they were temporary. But, we each have our own tastes. I've included pics of the Turbo Coupe 16"s and the "who knows what brand" 15"s I've had on the car. Both tires are 225-60. If I ever go back to the 15"s from the current 13" Mustang II wheels I'd go smaller 205-60-15"
Tom
Tom... both those rims look good!! and the wagon :hypno: nice!! and the more info we get the better for our group ..so thanks for the input
And now the search for tires is on.......lol