[Steves LX]

I have a 89 LX with a 5 lug conversion. I am not sure exactly what the parts for the conversion came off because it was like this when I bought it. I bought a set of 1995 style Cobra R 16x8 from american muscle.com. they are +15mm offset and 5.02 back spaceing. I received the wheels today and took one and tried it on the back and the front and it sticks out of the wheel well about a 1/4 inch or so. More in the front than in the rear. In the rear its about dead even with the edge of the wheel well but up front the whole lip pretty much from where the bead of the tire would be to the outside edge of the wheel is hanging out. I was told by american muscle who only deals with mustangs that these would fit w/out any problems. Obviously they were wrong. I really dont have any xtra money to spare to go with a 17 I have no choice but to get either 16's or 15's. I need something because right now I have nothing at all except the ones I got today. I sold my others for money to get my motor back from the machine shop. So I am seeking the advise of you guys can someone please help me on this. I talked to a couple of tire dealers and a 2 of them told me that when I get tires mounted on them and put the car on the ground that the suspension will draw up and inward and the fronts should sit back in the whell well. However a 3rd dealer told me that the suspension will only draw up not inward and those wheels are going to hang out up front regardless

[1slo5.0]

A factory pony wheel is 16x7 with a 4.87 backspace. Yours are 16x8 which is 1/2" on both sides with a 5.02 backspace. Measure to verify the backspace. If the backspace is 5.02, they should fit just fine. I would take a few measurements to be sure though.

[Steves LX]

I have taken measurements and come up with the same as american muscle.com has 5.09. I apologize about 5.02. but 5.09 with a +15mm offset. And they stick out at least a good 1/4 to 5/16. From the where the bead of the tire would be to the outide edge of the wheel is how far they hang out on the front. I am positive the spindles on the front are from a 94. The steering knuckle curves up and then straight outward. I know on the 96 they were just straight. I dont know what else could be causing this. Its the same on either side up front. I talked to a few tire dealers and they claim that once I mount tires on them and put the car back down on the ground the suspension will suck up and inwards at least a 1/2. However 1 dealer told me it will only go straight up not inwards at all. I feel its a gamble to mount tires on these and try it to see what happens because if it doesnt go inward at all and still sticks out I am stuck with the wheels I cant return them.

[1slo5.0]

Are you positive you have 96 or newer spindles? 96 and newer spindles will give you an 8mm wider track width in the front. If the rear axle is from a 94-98 it will be 3/4" wider on each side. If the rear axle is from a 99 or newer it will be 1 7/16" wider on each side. If that is the case, your wheels will not work.

[Steves LX]

My spindles on the front are from a 94. I am positive of that. The rear I have no idea. All I know about the rear is it is supposedly a 28 spline axle 4.10 gear. Beyond that I am clueless. Someone also told me on the front end that the control arms may be differen't than a 89. They may be a inch longer or something. I dont even know how long they should be as a starting point to go off of. The same goes for the rear. I dont know how I can even tell if the rear is still stock or from a 99 or what I have you.

[Evil Intent]

Don't know if this will help, not really a solution, but my car started out as a stock 91' convertible. I took the spindles, brakes, rear-end, and the 17" wheels from my friends 95' hardtop. My car is lowered almost 1 3/4" in the front, and although the clearance looks too close when the car is on blocks, everything tucks up nicely. (I did have to remove the inner wheel wells)