Rim conversion
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Just to clarify, I am an average shade tree mechanic. I can deal with most things with a chilton by my side. It's just that I have never had cause to look into this before, and need some guidance. Thanks for any light you can shed on the subject.
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: New Jersey
There are companies that make wheel adapters. The bolt onto your axles as if they were the wheel, with recessed lugnuts. Then your new wheels bolt to the wheel studs, with the normal lugnuts.
Wheel studs can be reliable, or not reliable depending how and what they are made of.
Here is one such company. http://www.skulte.com/. If you call him ask for Andris, and tell them Fred sent ya.
Wheel studs can be reliable, or not reliable depending how and what they are made of.
Here is one such company. http://www.skulte.com/. If you call him ask for Andris, and tell them Fred sent ya.
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That's a heck of alot cheaper than a new set of tires. Now I need to check if the 18" rims will fit.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: New Jersey
Yep. Wheel spacers, while not cheap, often are cheaper than selling incorrect rims and buying new ones, especially with all the billet fancy stuff that exists nowadays.
However, not only do you have to get the bolt pattern/circle correct, but you also need to figure out potential backspacing issues. Andris' company will make exactly what you ask for... so measure, and get it right the first time.
However, not only do you have to get the bolt pattern/circle correct, but you also need to figure out potential backspacing issues. Andris' company will make exactly what you ask for... so measure, and get it right the first time.
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A lot of those guys that buy the 04-05 XLTs with the fancy 18" wheels bolt on new rims within hours of taking ownership, then they turn the sets for like $300-400.
Very attractive, especially with brand new tires, but... Those spacers add backspacing. Each inch of spacer = basically an inch of backspacing. So, a stock wheel with 0 backspacing now has 1" backspacing on your truck. Not too bad, will be a bit harder on the BJs and steering stuff. Ideally, the new truck rims would have 1" positive offset, then the adapters would basically give you a 0" offset on your truck.
I wouldn't do it, but I understand why you did, and I bet it will look sharp.
Ford sure is paranoid about not letting their new truck wheels bolt on their last generation trucks... 5 on 5.5 , 5 on 135, and now 6 lug. Chevy on the other hand, they have been 6 on 5.5 since what 1967? You see a ton of older chevys driving with new take offs.
Very attractive, especially with brand new tires, but... Those spacers add backspacing. Each inch of spacer = basically an inch of backspacing. So, a stock wheel with 0 backspacing now has 1" backspacing on your truck. Not too bad, will be a bit harder on the BJs and steering stuff. Ideally, the new truck rims would have 1" positive offset, then the adapters would basically give you a 0" offset on your truck.
I wouldn't do it, but I understand why you did, and I bet it will look sharp.
Ford sure is paranoid about not letting their new truck wheels bolt on their last generation trucks... 5 on 5.5 , 5 on 135, and now 6 lug. Chevy on the other hand, they have been 6 on 5.5 since what 1967? You see a ton of older chevys driving with new take offs.
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: New Jersey
I'm not into wheel spacers either. I'd rather get the correct-fitting rims to begin with. But when you have something unique that doesn't fit, a wheel spacer is a good option.
I've always had factory steel wheels on my truck... though soon I'll have my fancy wolverine rims on. Probably in the spring. It's a "get to it" thing. Took me a long time to decide I wanted those.
I've always had factory steel wheels on my truck... though soon I'll have my fancy wolverine rims on. Probably in the spring. It's a "get to it" thing. Took me a long time to decide I wanted those.
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Well my reason is I have a 2004 f150 I bought with rims on it already. It also came with the factory 18" alum. rims and tires. They are brand new. I need tires on my 91, and figured it would be cheaper than buying new tires.
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Sell the takeoff set and buy new tires ??? Seems to be the easiest solution to me. Those spacers are probably gonna set you back $200-$250 with the right lugs- they aren't cheap. Then you might find a problem you didn't anticipate and have to buy new tires anyways.
You can get $400 for your takeoff set, spend another $100 and get a set of nice new tires on the rims that you know work well.
Where are you at? I have a set of wheels/tire from my Eddie Bauer F150, those nice polished wheels, with center caps, Dominator All Terrain Tires with 90% tread for $200 bucks.
You can get $400 for your takeoff set, spend another $100 and get a set of nice new tires on the rims that you know work well.
Where are you at? I have a set of wheels/tire from my Eddie Bauer F150, those nice polished wheels, with center caps, Dominator All Terrain Tires with 90% tread for $200 bucks.
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From: Akron, OH
Originally Posted by dale gribble
Ford sure is paranoid about not letting their new truck wheels bolt on their last generation trucks... 5 on 5.5 , 5 on 135, and now 6 lug. Chevy on the other hand, they have been 6 on 5.5 since what 1967? You see a ton of older chevys driving with new take offs.