Wheel Fitment Guide to Upgrade Your Mustang

Upgrading the wheels on your Mustang is one of the most significant modifications you can make. Wheels are what makes or breaks a car, both aesthetically and in terms of performance. Whether you drive a classic, a Fox Body, or the latest S650, the right wheels can transform your car’s presence and performance. With that said, it can be difficult to choose the right rims and get proper fitment – you’ll need to understand sizing, wheel offsets, and tires to make sure your Mustang not only looks good but also drives well. Below, we’ll look into everything you need to know to properly upgrade your Mustang wheels and bring your vehicle to the next level with the right fitment.

Understanding Wheel Fitment and Measurements

Before choosing a new set of wheels, it’s important to understand the basic measurements. These are bolt pattern, offset, width, diameter, and last but not least, backspacing. Most Mustangs share an identical 5x114.3 mm bolt pattern, which is quite common. This means there’s a huge range of aftermarket options available for you. Wheel diameter typically ranges from 17 to 20 inches. When it comes to width, this is where it becomes a bit tricky, as it determines how aggressive your stance will be. Offset is another aspect to consider and closely related to width – too high an offset tucks the wheels inside and under the fenders, while too low pushes them outward for a wider stance. In case the wheel is too inward, this can be fixed with wheel spacers. You’ll benefit from perfect handling characteristics and good looks if you get the right combination of specs.

What to Keep in Mind - Suspension and Brakes

When first looking for a new set of wheels, many forget that brake clearance is also a factor to keep in mind. If your Mustang is rolling a big brake kit, standard-sized wheels might just not be enough. Larger rotors and calipers may require specific wheel designs with deeper barrels or different spoke profiles. Even some factory performance trims have larger brake packages that could conflict with certain OEM wheels, so it’s worth confirming before purchase. Just as important to consider is the suspension. Your Mustang’s suspension setup directly affects what wheels will fit. Lowering springs and coilovers typically reduce clearance in different areas of the wheel well. Some height-adjustable systems (HAS) or coilovers with non-linear designs may create interference with inner wheel barrels or limit lateral clearance. Make sure to factor in those upgrades when choosing width and offset. What fits on a stock ride height may not fit when the car is dropped two inches.

Ideal Wheel Sizes for Your Mustang

When selecting new wheels for your Ford Mustang, you should first consider what your goal is with the wheel upgrade. If your modern generation Mustang is a daily driver, the typical recommendation is to look for wheels sized to 18x9 or 19x9.5 inches, paired with tires around 275mm wide. This combination will offer you the comfort needed for daily drives, but at the same time, feel sporty, like a Mustang should. For enthusiasts who want raw performance, 19x10”, 20x10”, or even 20x10.5” setups are recommended to increase traction and grip. Of course, this also depends on the specific year of your Mustang – late models are more prepared for larger wheel sizes than classic models from the 60s. Further on the year when your Mustang was made, recent generations such as the S550 and S650 models have particularly wide wheels already from the factory, accommodating aggressive 20x10.5 sizes with little to no modifications. Older platforms like the SN95 can still fit larger wheel sizes but might require fender rolling, a change of geometry, or larger modifications to avoid the tires rubbing against the fenders. Keep in mind that overdoing it with wheel size can result in inaccurate speedometer readings, shorten the suspension life span, and significantly reduce ride comfort.

Staggered vs Square Wheel Setup

An increasingly popular option is a staggered setup, where the rear wheels are wider than the fronts. This is common on some of the high-performance American muscle cars, and it's now also making its way to aftermarket upgrades for Mustangs. Such a setup can further improve traction in straight lines. Yet, there’s still space for the regular square setups with the same wheel and tire size on all four corners, which have benefits of their own, such as easier tire rotation and more balanced handling.

A More Intricate Upgrade Than It Might Seem

If you’re ready to give your Mustang the perfect stance and unlock its true potential, both in terms of looks and performance, a new set of wheels with a proper fitment is the way to go. In case you still have additional questions, our sales techs will be happy to offer you advice. Add the favorable prices we offer, and you have your perfect one-stop shop for anything your car needs.