Bullit Wheels 17x8 45mm offset - how to fit?

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JoesEdge

JoesEdge

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First of all, I have a '74 Duster with an 8 1/4 rear and, power disc brakes, and a 3 speed manual (on the floor) that I'm trying to get back to being road worthy from being mostly a drag car (I recently bought this).

I've read a ton of threads regarding the Mustang bullitt wheels. When I saw a set for cheap, I figured I'd pick them up. They came off an '06 Mustang.

I know it's not a completely bolt in installation and that I'd needed to make some modifications to make them fit. What I didn't know is that there's apparently two different offsets.

I has assumed these were the 5.72" back spacing wheels, but they're not. They have more back spacing. Apparently, they have about 6.2" of back spacing.

Long story short, how do I get them to fit? Or, should I sell them?

What I "think" I know:
  1. Rotors will need to be machined so the hubs fit inside the wheel
  2. Need a wider axle or spacers to fit in the rear.

I do hope to upgrade the rotors to 11.75", but I don't know if those hubs will fit inside the wheel or if they need to be machined as well.

As far as the rear is concerned, I don't know if running 1 to 2 inch spacers is practical. Upgrading to an 8 3/4 inch axle is doable but also opens up another can of work with the proper u-joints, drive shaft length, etc.

Not sure if my current drums can swap over too. But, it definitely would be an upgrade and it looks like traction devices (TrueTrac) is less expensive for 8 3/4 vs 8 1/4 axles.

I have to admit, when I mocked the wheels up the car looked great!

Thanks!
 
11 3/4 rotors front, explorer 8.8 disc rear, full width. I hogged out the front rims with a hole saw, turned the O.D. of the rotor hub down about .1250 with a drum lathe.
 

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http://www.forabodiesonly.com/mopar/showthread.php?t=237684

http://www.forabodiesonly.com/mopar/showthread.php?t=58491&highlight=bullit+wheels

I'm in better shape than some on the rear, because I have a Versailles rear axle. It's a little wider. The 5.75 backspace wheels (early) fit right on, no spacer

I picked up a set of 4 of the later wheels, and they will need about 1/2 or more on the rear, and probably more on the front. I'll need to change studs

So far as the hub, I cannot answer about the "big" rotors, but the stockers..........there's a lip on the inside bore of the wheels. You can grind that lip down with a die grinder. In other words the wheel center bore is "smaller" on the inside for a short depth......maybe 3/8" or so, and then after the lip, the bore is larger.
 
67Dart273 said:
http://www.forabodiesonly.com/mopar/showthread.php?t=237684

http://www.forabodiesonly.com/mopar/showthread.php?t=58491&highlight=bullit+wheels

I'm in better shape than some on the rear, because I have a Versailles rear axle. It's a little wider. The 5.75 backspace wheels (early) fit right on, no spacer

I picked up a set of 4 of the later wheels, and they will need about 1/2 or more on the rear, and probably more on the front. I'll need to change studs

So far as the hub, I cannot answer about the "big" rotors, but the stockers..........there's a lip on the inside bore of the wheels. You can grind that lip down with a die grinder. In other words the wheel center bore is "smaller" on the inside for a short depth......maybe 3/8" or so, and then after the lip, the bore is larger.
Click to expand...
The "lip" is the part I took out with a holesaw.
 
No spacers. Not sure what year....they are ford rims. 17X9 rims, tires are 245-45-17
 
Thanks for the tip guys. Sounds like if I had a wider rear axle and just opened up the wheels then it should be no sweat, right? I wish I had gotten the earlier wheels, but I didn't know any better at the time.
 
That offset will work in the back with a B body rear axle, would be pretty close to bolting up with no spacers at all. If you keep the stock rear axle though you'll need 1.5" spacers to get it to work.

In the front you're in just as bad a shape. 17's won't fit with more than about 5.6- 5.7" of backspace, they hit the outer tie rod ends. So, you'd need 1" spacers to realistically make it work. The good news is that will take care of the hub bore issue.

1" spacers

[ame="http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-pcs-1-5x4-5-5-x-4-5-Wheel-Spacers-Adapters-5Lug-1-2-x-20-/261389993262?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr&hash=item3cdc0ec52e"]http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-pcs-1-5x4-5-5-x-4-5-Wheel-Spacers-Adapters-5Lug-1-2-x-20-/261389993262?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr&hash=item3cdc0ec52e[/ame]

1.5" spacers

[ame="http://www.ebay.com/itm/2pcs-Jeep-Wheel-Spacers-1-5-Inch-5x4-5-Adapters-fits-Wrangler-1987-2006-/271391999592?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr&hash=item3f30394668"]http://www.ebay.com/itm/2pcs-Jeep-Wheel-Spacers-1-5-Inch-5x4-5-Adapters-fits-Wrangler-1987-2006-/271391999592?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr&hash=item3f30394668[/ame]

These spacers are safe, I've seen them used by everyone from 4x4 off-road guys to SCCA autocrossers. But, because they're aluminum they do need to be checked for tightness a few times right after installation, and then periodically after that. Some folks don't like them, and although I've used them in the past its easier to just get wheels that fit...
 
72bluNblu said:
That offset will work in the back with a B body rear axle, would be pretty close to bolting up with no spacers at all. If you keep the stock rear axle though you'll need 1.5" spacers to get it to work.

In the front you're in just as bad a shape. 17's won't fit with more than about 5.6- 5.7" of backspace, they hit the outer tie rod ends. So, you'd need 1" spacers to realistically make it work. The good news is that will take care of the hub bore issue.

1" spacers

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-pcs-1-5x4-5-5-x-4-5-Wheel-Spacers-Adapters-5Lug-1-2-x-20-/261389993262?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr&hash=item3cdc0ec52e

1.5" spacers

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2pcs-Jeep-Wheel-Spacers-1-5-Inch-5x4-5-Adapters-fits-Wrangler-1987-2006-/271391999592?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr&hash=item3f30394668

These spacers are safe, I've seen them used by everyone from 4x4 off-road guys to SCCA autocrossers. But, because they're aluminum they do need to be checked for tightness a few times right after installation, and then periodically after that. Some folks don't like them, and although I've used them in the past its easier to just get wheels that fit...
Click to expand...

Ok, just so that I'm clear about the spacers. Those spacers are only if I stick with the stock 8 1/4 axle? And regardless of axle, I still need a 1" spacer in the front? Safety was a concern of mine with spacers.

I may just go the spacer route for both front and rear until I replace the axle or get a new wheel/tire combination.
 
JoesEdge said:
Ok, just so that I'm clear about the spacers. Those spacers are only if I stick with the stock 8 1/4 axle? And regardless of axle, I still need a 1" spacer in the front? Safety was a concern of mine with spacers.

I may just go the spacer route for both front and rear until I replace the axle or get a new wheel/tire combination.
Click to expand...

Correct.

With the stock 8 1/4" rear axle your best bet will be a set of 1.5" spacers. That will put you at about 4.7" of backspace, and you should clear the springs just fine with a set of 17x8's.

And yes, you'll still need a 1" spacer up front. You only NEED to get to about 5.6" of backspace to clear the tie rod, but that's a .6" spacer. They don't make those in the included stud type spacers I linked to, and that's too much spacer to run just on the stock lugs.

I've run those type of spacers on cars and trucks myself without any issues. Like I said though, they are aluminum, and just like using aluminum wheels you'll want to check the toque setting a few times initially and then periodically afterward.
 
Ok, I had someone that was interested in the wheels so I just got done selling them.

Seems like it was a bit too much hassle. Maybe I should look for early Bullitt wheels or maybe just bite the bullet (no pun intended) and get Torq Thrusts. Those have always been my favorite.

Thanks for all your help and insight. I actually learned something and now I know what to watch out for when shopping for wheels.
 
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