help with wheels
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 95
Likes: 8
help with wheels
I'm pretty sure I've done the research and know the answer but i'd rather differ to the experts.
I'm looking into these wheels for my 1978 restomod and I just want to make sure they will fit:
http://www.discounttiredirect.com/di...=Car%2FMinivan
Would I need a small spacer?
I'm looking into these wheels for my 1978 restomod and I just want to make sure they will fit:
http://www.discounttiredirect.com/di...=Car%2FMinivan
Would I need a small spacer?
Last edited by eddiejb; Oct 16, 2016 at 11:48 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,347
Likes: 121
From: Kernersville NC
That is 5.34" backspace. You may have a 4" backspace on the original wheels. Someone else can confirm that. It that is so, I'd say it would need more than a small spacer. You need about -17 offset to keep the wheels off the trailing arm.
Had a 1976 L-82, 4-sp
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 5,338
Likes: 1,210
From: Some days your the dog and some days your the hydrant.
Royal Canadian Navy
Think back space. For a 5.34" BS, you will probably need a 1/2" spacer. If you relocate the parking brake cable bracket, you maybe able to go less on the spacer. I have 18" with 5.25" BS on rear. I relocated the cable bracket and I didn't need to use a spacer.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 95
Likes: 8
Thanks. Yeah, I was thinking it would be about 0.8 of an inch more backspacing but I could probably get away with a half inch spacer. What's the general perception of spacers on these cars? I've never used them on any of my cars before.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 5,737
Likes: 644
From: Lincoln, CA
Inner 33mm less
Outer RETRACT by 21mm
I've seen cars with zero offset or 4.5" backspace. So you are close there without rubbing.
A 1" adapter should work. I use http://www.motorsport-tech.com/ for my adapters.
Outer RETRACT by 21mm
I've seen cars with zero offset or 4.5" backspace. So you are close there without rubbing.
A 1" adapter should work. I use http://www.motorsport-tech.com/ for my adapters.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 1,939
Likes: 476
From: NSW, Australia
C3 of Year Finalist (track prepared) 2019
5.34" backspace on an 18" wheel may fit the rear with relocated handbrake cable and removed or modified rear swaybar if your car has one. I think the spring will fit inside an 18" wheel, but if not you will need a shortened spring. On the front I think the tie rod end will be inside an 18" wheel, but if not you will need at least ~0.4" of spacer.
Something else to consider though: the outside of an 8.5" wide wheel with 5.34" backspace will be 0.84" further inside the wheel arch than a standard 8" wide 4" backspace wheel. I dare say this will look pretty ordinary and you'll want a ~1" spacer/bolt on adapter to get the wheel sitting where it looks right on the car. With a big enough spacer/adapter to get the outside of the wheel where it looks right you will have no problems with fitment of the wheels on the inside, and shouldn't have to make any modifications to the car.
Something else to consider though: the outside of an 8.5" wide wheel with 5.34" backspace will be 0.84" further inside the wheel arch than a standard 8" wide 4" backspace wheel. I dare say this will look pretty ordinary and you'll want a ~1" spacer/bolt on adapter to get the wheel sitting where it looks right on the car. With a big enough spacer/adapter to get the outside of the wheel where it looks right you will have no problems with fitment of the wheels on the inside, and shouldn't have to make any modifications to the car.
Last edited by Metalhead140; Aug 13, 2017 at 04:09 AM. Reason: typos
