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Wheel Sizing and Mini-Tubbing

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Old Feb 15, 2004 | 01:42 PM
  #1  
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Default Wheel Sizing and Mini-Tubbing

For those of you that are running large wheels with a mini-tub, what are your typical wheel dimensions for 18 x 12 or 18 x 13 wheels (overall wheel width, backspacing, and offset)? With the wheels you have, are they flush with the fender well, tucked in, or sticking out? I am wondering what the ballpark dimensions are that you have that allow you to keep the tires flush or tucked inside the fender well, yet don't hit the upper control arm. I read about a shock reloction kit, but it seems like the upper control arm would be a clearance problem before the shock is. Can someone explain why this is not the case.

I have some 18 x 12.5's (bead to bead) with ~13.5 inch overall width, 11 inch backspacing, and ~4.25 inch (108mm) offset. I have BFG 345/30/18's mounted on them. Will this set up work with mini-tub? I have some 1 inch spacers with pressed in studs that I can use if needed.

Thanks,

Sean
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Old Feb 15, 2004 | 01:59 PM
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Default Re: Wheel Sizing and Mini-Tubbing (R6_C5_ML430)

Even w/ minitub the 18X12 and 19X13 w/ 335 or 345 tire will still stick out about .5".
ACP has flared out rear quarter that will give you .75-1" more width. Works w/ stock side sill and rear fascia. This is different from their widebody kit. $600 for the pair. It's however rough and need lotsa prep work. Mine will be done next week.
19X12.5 might be OK
Limiting factor on pushing wheel/tire further inside is the upper A-arm.
Point to remember if you're doing 18X12 is you cannot lower the car as the edge of the leaf spring will dig into the inner barrel of your wheel. I learned the hard way. :rolleyes:
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Old Feb 15, 2004 | 03:07 PM
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Default Re: Wheel Sizing and Mini-Tubbing (boblackhardtop)

Even w/ minitub the 18X12 and 19X13 w/ 335 or 345 tire will still stick out about .5".
ACP has flared out rear quarter that will give you .75-1" more width. Works w/ stock side sill and rear fascia. This is different from their widebody kit. $600 for the pair. It's however rough and need lotsa prep work. Mine will be done next week.
19X12.5 might be OK
Limiting factor on pushing wheel/tire further inside is the upper A-arm.
Point to remember if you're doing 18X12 is you cannot lower the car as the edge of the leaf spring will dig into the inner barrel of your wheel. I learned the hard way. :rolleyes:
All I did to cure that problem was hit the metal end of the leaf with a grinder until I had enough clearance.Spayed it with black paint and can even tell!!
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Old Feb 15, 2004 | 04:21 PM
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Default Re: Wheel Sizing and Mini-Tubbing (R6_C5_ML430)

18x12 HRE 545s with +74mm offset & BFG 345/30/18 G force drag radials here with a home done 2" mini tub....no clearance or rim/spring hitting the a-arm issues. You will have to check for tire hitting the plastic inner fenders and the inside frame if the offset is not right.

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Old Feb 15, 2004 | 04:56 PM
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Default Re: Wheel Sizing and Mini-Tubbing (boblackhardtop)

Even w/ minitub the 18X12 and 19X13 w/ 335 or 345 tire will still stick out about .5".
ACP has flared out rear quarter that will give you .75-1" more width. Works w/ stock side sill and rear fascia. This is different from their widebody kit. $600 for the pair. It's however rough and need lotsa prep work. Mine will be done next week.
19X12.5 might be OK
Limiting factor on pushing wheel/tire further inside is the upper A-arm.
Point to remember if you're doing 18X12 is you cannot lower the car as the edge of the leaf spring will dig into the inner barrel of your wheel. I learned the hard way. :rolleyes:
Bob, looking at All Throttle's pic, his 18X12 stick out about .5", that would suggest the 19X13 would stick out another inch...do you have any pics of your 19X13's on a stock rear.... How much was the prep and install on the rear quarters for your car? Thanks for the info...
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Old Feb 15, 2004 | 06:01 PM
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Default Re: Wheel Sizing and Mini-Tubbing (R6_C5_ML430)

I read about a shock reloction kit, but it seems like the upper control arm would be a clearance problem before the shock is. Can someone explain why this is not the case.
Correct. The Upper A-Arm is the issue, however what LPE does is raise the shock by relocating the top end of the shock deeper into the upper mounting bracket. This allows the car to be rasied (full suspension droop) without the wheels making any contact with the upper control arm. But by relocating the top end of the shock deeper into the upper mounting bracket causes the wheels (when the shock is fully compressed) to rub the top part of the fender liner.....thus the need for a "shock travel limiter".:cheers:

BTW, I'm running a 70mm offset.....but 74mm will be the most you can go with out the LPE shock kit.
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Old Feb 15, 2004 | 06:30 PM
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Default Re: Wheel Sizing and Mini-Tubbing (Earl H)

Even w/ minitub the 18X12 and 19X13 w/ 335 or 345 tire will still stick out about .5".
ACP has flared out rear quarter that will give you .75-1" more width. Works w/ stock side sill and rear fascia. This is different from their widebody kit. $600 for the pair. It's however rough and need lotsa prep work. Mine will be done next week.
19X12.5 might be OK
Limiting factor on pushing wheel/tire further inside is the upper A-arm.
Point to remember if you're doing 18X12 is you cannot lower the car as the edge of the leaf spring will dig into the inner barrel of your wheel. I learned the hard way. :rolleyes:
Bob, looking at All Throttle's pic, his 18X12 stick out about .5", that would suggest the 19X13 would stick out another inch...do you have any pics of your 19X13's on a stock rear.... How much was the prep and install on the rear quarters for your car? Thanks for the info...
The 19X13 wheel can be pushed inside a little further because of the larger diameter clearing the upper A-arm, so it won't stick out an additional 1". I'm currently running 18X12 w/ 345 35 18 pilot.
If you want definitive tech. answer best to call John at CCW, he's also very familiar w/ the ACP product.
I should get the bill later this week, I'll keep ya'll posted. Will have picts and all. :seeya
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Old Feb 15, 2004 | 11:33 PM
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Default Re: Wheel Sizing and Mini-Tubbing (boblackhardtop)

boblackhardtop - I'm looking at possible buying the ACP fenders so PLEASE post some pics when it's finished. Thanks! :cheers:

As I previously mentioned I'm running a 70mm offset on 19x12 rims and I have 1/8" clearence between the rim lip and the upper control arm (PIC #1). So again 74mm offset will be the max you can go without using some sort of shock travel limiter. That being said, I have one full inch (1") of wheel sticking out beyond the upper fender lip (PIC #2). And with all that being said, if I were to increase my rims to 19x13 then I'd have ~2" of wheel sticking out. However if I were to use the LPE shock kit that's only going to recess the wheel back a ~1/2".......so a 19x13 rim will still have ~1-1/2" of wheel sticking out. But don't take my word for it, do like boblackhardtop said and call John@CCW. :cheers:

*(PIC #1) http://www2.stonemedia.com/~e_lynch/...mclearence.jpg

*(PIC #2) http://www2.stonemedia.com/~e_lynch/...extension1.jpg
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