91 GM with snow tires or find a 4WD vehicle?

[sly]

they will fit 79-02 panthers all (80-02 Lincolns).

[1987cp]

Like we said, anything pre-'03 will be fine. Probably check the stock '01 Sport tire size as a starting point, 225/55/17. Might also consider 235/55/17 and 215/60/17. When I used to shop for Panther tires, I used 27" as my target OD.

You do know how to use the Tire Rack website to check specs such as tire overall diameter, right? SummitRacing.com is maybe even handier, lets you search by things like OD and rim width. (The seller can double-check width for you if he's willing/able to use a tape measure - some aren't.) Then you can pretty much use your imagination in selecting hypothetical tire sizes.

[Mainemantom]

There is a set just like those on CVN. The seller is in Florida. Nice wheels.

[johnunit]

Just remember you almost double the price of a tire by going from 15 to 17 inch. You gain some handling, but IMO handling almost goes out the window with a snow tire anyway.

[Stealthlead]

Like we said, anything pre-'03 will be fine. Probably check the stock '01 Sport tire size as a starting point, 225/55/17. Might also consider 235/55/17 and 215/60/17. When I used to shop for Panther tires, I used 27" as my target OD.

You do know how to use the Tire Rack website to check specs such as tire overall diameter, right? SummitRacing.com is maybe even handier, lets you search by things like OD and rim width. (The seller can double-check width for you if he's willing/able to use a tape measure - some aren't.) Then you can pretty much use your imagination in selecting hypothetical tire sizes.

I was not aware I could do that, thanks! I searched on tire rack for the optional 17" 2001 Crown Vic size which came up as 225/55-17 on tire rack so I guess that was the stock size for the 01 cv that will work with mine too.

Just remember you almost double the price of a tire by going from 15 to 17 inch. You gain some handling, but IMO handling almost goes out the window with a snow tire anyway.

I was going from 16"-17" (was originally planning on getting the CVPI steelies). That's what I thought too because it was like $800 for my 18"'s but for the Goodyear WRT's its not that much more, $436 after the rebate so about $120 more, but I'm also saving $70 buying these rims over the steelies from ebay. I like the look of the rims so I don't mind too much. 235/55/17's are $480 after RB, and they don't make the good years in 215/60/17.

[Stealthlead]

I went to pick up those wheels today. They are in good shape but unfortunately they don't fit the fronts because the hub is WAY long -


The sport rim inset


my torque thrusts


as far as the sports would go


about an inch more needed

I went ahead and bought them for two reasons though; if I want I can just use a spacer, and also because I'm planning on doing the BB conversion which swaps over the 98+ hubs which will work with these rims with no spacer. I guess I actually have an excuse to spend money now and do the conversion lol
it also brought up something to my attention, with my torque thrusts because of the ridiculous inset or space where the hub sits, all the weight is on my lug nuts.

[GM_Guy]

No issue with that, people been running non-hubcentric wheels for years. All but my factory wheels are held by the lugs, or more properly, clamped to the hub by the lugs. ;-)

Alex.

[Stealthlead]

Ah, gotcha. The member I bought the rims from was suggesting that all the weight on lugs ie. not hubcentric was not a good idea, I kinda felt like that was shenanigans though. Guess all I really need to do now is the big brake, new slotted rotors and snow tires =]

[Stealthlead]

So since these rub on my front spindles does this mean they are 2003+ rims? They fit on my rear perfectly snug and are hubcentric.

[sly]

if the offset is more outboard than centered, yes. If the offset is centered on the wheel, then no. if they are indeed 2001 wheels, then we'll have to revise the compatibility list to be 79-97, 98-02, 03+.

[Stealthlead]

Well they sit in further than my AR rims, I'll have to check tomorrow. They do have 2004/07/12 stamped on the inside of the rims, but the seller insists they were manufactured in 2004 but under the old 01-02 design. He's a member on CVN, he's a cool guy and swears they are 2001. With spacers I can still run them just fine though I think...

Looking at pictures of the 98+ spindles/hub assembly it looks like they don't stick out nearly as much.

[jaywish]

By the way, what happened with the snow tires? Were you planing on these for snows?

[Stealthlead]

Yep, these fanblades are going to be my snow tires. I'm going to do the big brake conversion first so I won't have to use spacers. I decided on Goodyear WRT's.

[1987cp]

I went to pick up those wheels today. They are in good shape but unfortunately they don't fit the fronts because the hub is WAY long -

Wow! I knew some of the later fleet models, '01 and '02 at least, came with a much flatter style of snap-onto-the-lugs centercap on the regular steel wheels than what I've used, and from that I guessed they probably had less hub protrusion, but I had absolutely NO idea the alloys tapered the opening like that!

Now I feel like I've provided misinformation ... guess it goes to show what you (don't) learn from living in steel-wheel land.

[Stealthlead]

Haha its alright. I'm pretty sure once I do the BB conversion they will fit the fronts just fine, there is a few 98's sitting in the j/y and since it doesn't matter if the parts are from a CV/GM/TC, I should be good with my parts harvesting. The spindles for the 98 look a LOT shorter so I think these fanblades should fit flush on them like they do with my drum brakes.

Worst case scenario I need a spacer.

As for the big brake as I understand ES poly bushings are the way to go with the upper control arms. If I understand correctly you melt out the old rubber/inner shell and keep the outer shell and get the poly ones in. I did it wrong with my lowers.. I melted it out and pounded the inner shell out and sanded the new bushings down ( I didn't have a press) so there is a bit of play. Guess I'll have to redo them later on -.-