18 inch rims, Gen 1

[BPete]

I would like to put 8" X 18" wheels on a gen 1 SHO. The offset is 40mm and they are being sold as a proper fitment for the Taurus. Will they fit? What size tires will be necessary? Anyone with experience with 18" rims on a gen 1 please help.
Bob

 

[thebigjimsho]

You will need to do major work on those fenders to make them fit. You either need 18x7.5 with that offset or 18x8 with 35mm offset and you will still need to roll the rear fenders a bit. And keep the tires to a 235mm width MAX.

 

[Dave Kegel]

No, that's backwards. 35mm will hit the fenders big time. 40mm is the perfect offset. 42mm tends to rub the strut towers.

Dave Kegel

 

[crizzaSHO]

I have a 42mm offset and I can't even stick a finger between the tire and strut tower, but no rub

 

[thebigjimsho]

Sorry, brain fart on that one. That's the GenII rule of thumb. My last set of 17x8 were 35mm offset. No rub there, either.

I was rushing out the door on that one. headbang

 

[quadmasta]

crizzaSHO:
I have a 42mm offset and I can't even stick a finger between the tire and strut tower, but no rub

is that picture for real? Carbon fiber hood???????

 

[RI-SHO]

They should fit fine, ACV1081 has the same 18x8 TD's rims I had on my Gen II SHO on his Gen I SHO with no fitment problems and 235/401/8 tires.

The worst you'll need to worry about if you have sagging rear springs is the rear rubbing the edge of the fender.

quadmasta if you look at the edge of drivers hood you can tell it was P-Sed but FYI such a simple/plain SHO hood could easily be custom made by anyone that works with carbon fiber for the right amount of $$$ of course.

<small>[ June 07, 2003, 03:02 AM: Message edited by: RI-SHO ]</small>