Need help determining what wheels and tires will fit your S197 Mustang? Check out LMR's 2005-2014 Mustang Wheel & Tire Guide!
In the year of 2005, Ford came out with the S197 Mustang platform which lasted from 2005-2014. The initial creation of this model was because Ford wanted to bring back the classic Mustang look that was made so popular on the 1964-1970 Mustang models. The extensive variety of wheel and tire offerings for this platform led to creating that classic look with a modern twist.
The S197 Mustang wheel and tire fitment guide are for those who are looking to put on some new wheels or tires on their 2005-2014 Mustang. This article will provide a step-by-step process of how to identify what type of wheel, tire, and bolt pattern you have so that you can find the right size/type for your vehicle. We cover everything from deep-dish wheels, backspacing, offset, tire fitment specs, and different types of tires. Now let's get started!
If you're not sure what rim size you have, take into account the wheel diameter, wheel width, offset, backspacing, and bolt pattern while estimating their dimensions. Below, we go over each of these in greater depth:
If you're not sure what rim size you have, take into account the wheel diameter, wheel width, offset, backspacing, and bolt pattern while estimating their dimensions. Below, we go over each of these in greater depth:
It's crucial to understand that while measuring the diameter of a wheel, you'll need to take two measurements: the Overall Wheel Diameter and the Actual Wheel Diameter. The entire diameter of the wheel is measured from the outer lip to the opposite outside lip. You'll need to measure the inside barrel of the wheel to the opposing inside barrel to get the actual diameter. If you have tires mounted on your wheels, this will be the third number in the tire's sidewall. For example, on a 245/45/17 tire, the 17 is the wheel's diameter in inches.
When determining the width of your wheel, begin your measurement at the barrel section or real rim width rather than the whole outside rim width. If you have wide wheels and need to make further adjustments to your Mustang to make them fit properly, this is critical.
The offset of a wheel refers to the distance between the hub mounting surface and the centerline of the wheel. This is an important fact to keep in mind when shopping for your new set of Mustang wheels. The wheel's offset is measured in millimeters, and as a result, there are three different sorts of offsets. Positive, negative, and zero offsets are available.
A Positive offset means the hub mounting surface is facing the wheel's face.
The Negative offset is the polar opposite of a positive offset, in which the hub mounting surface faces backward on the wheel.
Finally, Zero offset occurs when the hub's mounting surface is parallel to the wheel centerline.
The distance between the mounting surface of the wheel and the center of the axle is known as wheel backspacing. When it comes to estimating how much room you have between your wheel and the fender, this measurement is crucial. Because too much or too little wheel well space might cause clearance issues, knowing your S197 Mustang's backspacing before making any adjustments is critical.
It's critical to know what type of wheel you're looking for when determining the bolt pattern on your S197. Most S197 Mustang wheels have five lug nuts with a bolt pattern of 114.3mm, which is normally written like this: 5x114.3mm. Now that you've gathered all of the essential measurements, it's time to figure out what size wheel and tire you'll need!
Over the years, Ford has employed a variety of offset and backspacing configurations for their longest-running pony car, depending on the year and model! For the S197 Mustang generation in particular we cover stock wheel sizes, bolt patterns, stud sizes, center bore, and offset. We also include any additional wheel fitment specs for 2005-2014 Mustang V6, Mustang GT, and Shelby GT500 models.
Deep-dish wheels are those with spokes that are significantly lower than the lip. The hub mounting surface is usually behind the wheel centerline, resulting in a negative offset. They're made to offer your S197 Mustang the most tire depth possible, giving it an aggressive, muscular look. LMR carries a variety of S197 Mustang Deep Dish Wheels to give you some variety in your negative offset appearance.
What size tires should I get for my 2005-2014 Mustang? This is a question we get asked often and to help you out with this tough decision, we've compiled all the information you need to know in one handy guide! We will list recommended sizes for the front tires, drag front runner tires, and rear tires.
Because tires are the only point of contact between your Mustang and the road, knowing what type of tires to use is critical. For this generation of S197 Mustangs, there are three tire options: Street Radials, Drag Radials, and Drag Slicks.
The most prevalent style of tire is the Street Radial. These are conventional street tires with enough tread to be used in a range of weather conditions on a regular basis. Because they have a stronger compound, these tires have the highest life expectancy.
Another type of radial that is prominent in the racing sector is the Drag Radial. This radial tire has tread designed into the rubber, just like the street radial, but it is much smaller and has a much softer composition. The tire will still be DOT legal, but its lifespan will be significantly reduced. As a result, the soft compound won't need as much of a burnout at the drag strip to get them ready to race!
Drag Slicks are a type of Bias Ply tire that has several advantages for muscle car fans. When a car is launched at a drag strip, power is swiftly transferred from the drivetrain to the tires. A Bias Ply Drag slick's sidewall will flex or wrinkle to alleviate the shock of launching high-powered S197 Mustangs. This will protect car parts including rear ends, suspension setups (struts, camber, coilovers), and transmissions, among others. A bias-ply drag slick, on the other hand, will be a significant disadvantage if your vehicle will be conducting any high-speed cornering due to sidewall flex. Only straight-line racing should be done with this tire.
The best way to save money when purchasing OEM wheels from Ford Motor Company or aftermarket S197 Mustang wheels and tires from LMR is to first know what you need. If you don't, the process will take longer than it should so it's better to be prepared. By checking out our S197 wheel and tire fitment guide, taking notes on your needs, and possibly consulting an expert from LMR with any additional questions you may have will put you in the best possible position to get the exact setup you need.
It's also important to remember that there are many different types of tires and not all of them will work well with the wheels you choose. We have a wide selection of S197 Mustang Wheels available at Late Model Restoration, but we cannot guarantee that every tire size listed in this guide will be a perfect fit.
LMR.com offers a vast selection of aftermarket Mustang wheels for your S197 Mustang. From the modern, concave wheel designs popular today to the classic styled wheels of yesterday, we have a set of wheels for everyone. With S197 Mustang wheel sizes ranging from 15" to 20", we carry a package that will fit your ride perfectly, regardless of what you're looking for. In addition, all the SVE Mustang wheels we offer are available in a variety of finishes, so you can perfectly match your ride's style.
If you're looking for a wheel and tire package combo that is ready to install right out of the box, we have a number of pre-assembled options to choose from. These packages come complete with all the necessary hardware and centering rings needed for installation, so you can hit the road in no time! If you're not in a hurry, we also offer the option of buying wheels and tires separately.
Late Model Restoration offers a tire size ranging from 15" to 20" for your S197 Mustang. Not sure which S197 Mustang tires are best for you? Check out our tire fitment guide to help you decide. We have all the best tires on our website, including selections from both Mickey Thompson and Nitto.
LMR is the best place to buy aftermarket S197 Mustang wheels and tires for a few reasons. We have been one of the top names in Mustang parts since 1999, and we're always adding new wheel and tire products on a regular basis. No matter if you have standard Mustang models or more unique models such as a Mustang Bullitt, GT350R, Mach 1, Saleen, and even a Cobra R; our shopping cart makes it easy to check out quickly, our knowledgeable staff is on hand five days a week to assist you in any way they can. We also offer a secure checkout system so your card information is always kept safe.
If you're looking for a place to buy S197 aftermarket wheels, LMR is the obvious choice. We carry such a variety of wheel brands and finishes so that you will find exactly what you need here. You should also take a look at our Fox Body Mustang and SN95/New Edge Wheel and Tire Guides if you are curious about other Mustang year models.
If you have any questions about our selection of wheels or any other mods we offer on our site, please don't hesitate to contact us. Our team of experts is always happy to help!
