Wheel Size Question

[Funmart6]

I am a real dummy when it comes to wheel and tire sizes and what works best, and I have never bought aftermarket wheels before, so please keep that in mind when reading.
Okay so, the lug nut pattern for a Taurus is 5X108 with an offset of 40 right?
Lets say you want to go a size up to a 17" wheel. I understand that you still have to stay with the 5 lug pattern of course, but what about the 108 and offset of 40? What about a 5 X 100 and 40 offset, would that work? What kind of variation can be used, like "5 X ???" and an offset of "??" ? What ever the case may be, what is the best size of tire to run on, say, a 17" X 7" wheel on a Gen3 SHO with stock suspension? What would look better 17 or 18 inch wheels?

Thanks for any suggestions and help, it is time for tires and I really want to upgrade my wheels so I figured I would go a size up, or two.

 

[SHOspazz92]

I am a real dummy when it comes to wheel and tire sizes and what works best, and I have never bought aftermarket wheels before, so please keep that in mind when reading.
Okay so, the lug nut pattern for a Taurus is 5X108 with an offset of 40 right?
Lets say you want to go a size up to a 17" wheel. I understand that you still have to stay with the 5 lug pattern of course, but what about the 108 and offset of 40? What about a 5 X 100 and 40 offset, would that work? What kind of variation can be used, like "5 X ???" and an offset of "??" ? What ever the case may be, what is the best size of tire to run on, say, a 17" X 7" wheel on a Gen3 SHO with stock suspension? What would look better 17 or 18 inch wheels?

Thanks for any suggestions and help, it is time for tires and I really want to upgrade my wheels so I figured I would go a size up, or two.

For the Most part, Assume that anything with a 38-44mm Offset is safe to work. The Bolt pattern of 5x108 will always be the only thing that works on your car whether it's a 14'' Wheel or a 22'' Wheel.

With a 17X7'' Wheel, I would recommend a 225 (That's the width) series tire. That's about a perfect fit for a 7'' Wide wheel. A 215 would fit, But the sidewalls would be slightly stretched. a 235 would also Fit, But the sidewalls would be bulged out.

On stock Suspension, With a 17x7 Wheel - 225/50/17'' Tire's would be perfect in my opinion.

-Sam

 

[Funmart6]

Well, I don't think the wheels that I am looking at come in a "108" . I am looking at some XXR 009's and XXR 006's. They come in a 17x7 black with polished lip 5 lug but either 100 or 120 and a 40 offset.
That sucks.

 

[Funmart6]

Anybody ever use adapters? Seems like our wheel choices are somewhat limited.

 

[firebat45]

Anybody ever use adapters? Seems like our wheel choices are somewhat limited.

The guy with the RWD swap (sorry, can't remember name off hand) made a set of adapters to 5x114.3 (only one set, for himself). There's sets on ebay too, but they're questionable. If you get an adapter you're going to need a drastically different offset, like 65mm.

Better off looking for wheels that have the right pattern. If you're dead set on a different pattern, change the hubs instead of using adapters. That's a lot of work though, probably out of your budget.

 

[wuzzzer]

Tire Rack lists 44 wheels for the SHO. Discount Tire is also a good online site to check.

I wouldn't mess with adapters myself.

5x4.25" bolt pattern also works.

 

[Funmart6]

Thanks for the input. My problem is that I want a specific wheel style, black with polished lip, spoke or mesh type and finding what I want in the pattern is proving to be difficult.

What is the cost of replacing hubs?

 

[NebraskaSHO]

Someone at Carlisle had different hubs on a Gen II.

I would stick with the 5x108 and hope for the best. The new wheels could probably be powder coated though too...

 

[Funmart6]

I think I have found the wheels that I want at Discount Tire!!! They are the ENKEI J10 in Matte Black finish with a chrome lip. The size is 17x7, bolt pattern is 5-115/108 38MTB. According to their list of rims for a '97 SHO, these should fit.
It also says that these come in an 18" size also, so now my question is, what would look better for a sport look, 17's or 18's? I don't want a big "DUB" look, I just want to fill the wheelwell a bit more and I cannot lower the car because it already scrapes in my steep driveway.

 

[wuzzzer]

Don't even think about 18s if you're not going to lower it. Even 17s will make the car look like a 4x4.

Here's a pic of my SHO with 17x7 wheels, 215/50/17 tires and lowered for reference:

 

[ALL4SHO2]

I just want to fill the wheelwell a bit more and I cannot lower the car because it already scrapes in my steep driveway.

Well if you just want to fill the wheel wells without lowering you are screwed. There are 2 ways to fill the wheel well, taller tires (NOT BIGGER WHEELS) or lowering. Well you already said you can't lower it, so that idea is out. And you can't put taller tires on the SHO. So in other words, You is screwed

 

[Funmart6]

Okay, so if I do lower the car what all do I need to do? The car will just have to scrape. The only part that scrapes is the plastic factory spoiler under the front.

Now that poses another question, keep the 16's, (the wheels I want also come in 16"), and lower the car, or go with the bigger rim sizes and lower the car.

 

[three50one]

Stock wheels and lowered.


18's and lowered.


Front ground clearance. It isn't so bad. The parts I used to scrape when at stock ride height are the same parts I scrape lowered. Not really too drastic. If of course you can find Eibachs now.

 

[Funmart6]

Okay, I would go with a 17" wheel and lowered. Thanks for all the input.

Now the search begins for lowering springs. I see a lot of conversion kits for Gen2's and nothing for a Gen3. The search continues...

 

[ThatShoGuy]

If of course you can find Eibachs now.

i slid my studs in the spindles free lowering. i think i got close to 2" out of it tho the rear rubs some times. but im sure thats because i have 245-50-r16 tires(stock wheels)

 

[Funmart6]

I read the instructions for lowering the car by dropping the strut, but it said it was good for about 3/4 of an inch.... maybe I read it wrong.

Seems like springs would be the easiest way to go.

Anybody got any leads on where to find lowering springs for the Gen3. I have seen them for Gen2's and Gen3 wagons and that's about it.

 

[three50one]

i slid my studs in the spindles free lowering. i think i got close to 2" out of it tho the rear rubs some times. but im sure thats because i have 245-50-r16 tires(stock wheels)

Mine rubbed because of bad alignment. I've had 500 pounds of passenger in the rear and roughly 400 in the front and had no issues with rear rub with my 245s. It is CLOSE though.

Before it would rub with stock 225s until I got the adjustable control arms.

You have to keep in mind that I am running a taller tire then wuzzzer. I have 245-45-18s.

My speedometer is dead on with a few GPS I've used as well.

 

[SHOZ123]

You can get Eibachs for the Gen 3. But no struts work well with them. Konis are the best option with them.

You can put a 60 series tire on and it will fill the well but hurts performance..

 

[Funmart6]

Change the struts out and replace with Koni struts?

 

[three50one]

You can get Eibachs for the Gen 3. But no struts work well with them. Konis are the best option with them.

You can put a 60 series tire on and it will fill the well but hurts performance..

I've put roughly 30 thousand on my Eibach/Koni combo so far. I haven't had any problems that others talk about with other struts.

Eibachs were discontinued recently. I'm sure you could still find a set though.