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Widened wheels
Posted: Mon Sep 22, 2014 4:11 pm
by #2098
Any thoughts or experience having the OEM wheels widened to 9". I would like to run 275 40 17, but do not know of anyone that makes a Cobra wheel with the correct offset. I have seen a few places that widen stock wheels, but was wondering if anyone had experience with them or the safety issues they might pose,
thanks
Mark
Re: Widened wheels
Posted: Mon Sep 22, 2014 6:06 pm
by Goose17
There have been many Shelby owners that have had their wheels widened. I haven't, but friends have. There are 2 main players people use:
Eric Vaughn:
http://www.ericvaughnmachine.com
Weldcraft:
http://www.weldcraftwheels.com
Sometimes a new back is welded in (one weld) and other times a middle section is welded in (2 welds). I have never heard of any failures or dissatisfaction.
Re: Widened wheels
Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2014 8:42 am
by #2098
Looking at Weldcraft. The said the 1.5" would go to the inside, Im not sure how much clearance there is so Im going to check. Maybe Aaron knows, hes the Cobra expert

Re: Widened wheels
Posted: Wed Sep 24, 2014 6:21 pm
by buddha
I used Weldcraft to do my wheels......they do awesome work. I can dig up a post I did over on SVT Performance for the details.
With the factory backspacing and the extra 1.5 inches, things get really tight fast in the wheel well. I ended with custom made spacers and wheel studs to make it work on my red car.
If I were to do it again, grab a set of the aftermarket ones and widen those. While the backspacing isn't OEM, it gives you the needed room in the wheel well without the need for a spacer or longer studs.
Re: Widened wheels
Posted: Wed Sep 24, 2014 6:29 pm
by buddha
Here was that thread from back in 06'.
http://www.svtperformance.com/forums/sh ... t=widening
Another option if you stick with the stockers is to run a spacer with the studs built in. I looked at that option but wasn't real comfortable with that setup and the power my car makes.
Re: Widened wheels
Posted: Fri Sep 26, 2014 8:59 am
by #2098
Interesting that you say that as I have Replicawheels on it now in black, i was just trying to get away from the edge and cutting the tires. I havent rolled the fenders, but i have moved the fender edges up some and actually am using door edging to protect the tires....
Re: Widened wheels
Posted: Fri Sep 26, 2014 9:44 am
by #2098
So reverse the quad shocks and use a 5/16" spacer and it will be all good ???
Re: Widened wheels
Posted: Fri Sep 26, 2014 9:17 pm
by buddha
#2098 wrote:So reverse the quad shocks and use a 5/16" spacer and it will be all good ???
Put on aftermarket control arms and ditch the quads altogether. If you have the aftermarket wheel, you won't need a spacer.
Re: Widened wheels
Posted: Mon Sep 29, 2014 10:09 am
by #2098
Thinking of using the OEM wheels...
Re: Widened wheels
Posted: Mon Sep 29, 2014 12:32 pm
by dbrennancobra
Why? Keep em stock and put some nice tires.
Or get a GT and make a low rider

Re: Widened wheels
Posted: Thu Apr 23, 2015 2:44 pm
by Meegs
Re: Widened wheels
Posted: Thu Apr 23, 2015 7:46 pm
by BrettT
Oh yea! Now that's saweet, like to to see more pics of them on the car. Still have the quads on?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Re: Widened wheels
Posted: Thu Apr 23, 2015 11:25 pm
by Meegs
Re: Widened wheels
Posted: Sun Apr 26, 2015 9:16 am
by buddha
Dem's some meats on the back. What size tire did you end up with?
Re: Widened wheels
Posted: Sun Apr 26, 2015 10:34 am
by Meegs
315/35r17 Nitto NT05
Used the Steeda 2.5" wheel studs which are made by ARP but only sold through Steeda. I think you would have to pull the axel for 3" and not sure if they would protrude too far for the cover.
Still ended up using a Maxium Motor 1/4" wheel spacer on driver side. Nothing on passenger side. That's wonderful 90's Ford manufacturing for ya!
I'm probably going to sell them and do the same thing to a 5 lug wheel. That way I can also drill them for a 5/8" stud instead of the standard 1/2".