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wheel spacers adapters, good or bad idea?

alextucker

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Are these types of spacers / adapters a bad idea? http://www.ebay.ie/itm/151920417737?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2648&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

I would like to bring the rear wheels out a bit more to fill the wheel arch but I don't have the cash at the moment for a wider rim and tyre set up, we used to do this all the time when I raced Minis but this may be a bit different ;-) ...what do you guys think?

100_2287_1331646868_o.jpg100_2276_1331704392_o.jpg
 
I've seen them on 4x4 trucks with big tires come thru our shop, I've never put them on , but like I said I've seen them used, for your app. I'm sure they'd work.
 
I prefer a proper wheel with the correct offset, but spacers will work if that's all you have at the moment.
I've used smaller spacers (1/8" - 1/4") in the past when centering wide tires in tight spaces.
 
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Well, you could put that 50 in a jar and every time you think about buying adapters / spacers, add another 10 or so. Soon you'll have what you need to buy the wheel you want. If you buy the spacers, the wheels may never happen.

Hmmmm, now if I could only restrain myself!:icon_redface:
 
Not a fan of bolt on spacer/adapters especially when they are that big. I think they put too much stress on the lugs especially if they rely on the lugs for alignment. I'll use and have used plate type spacers but usually keep them within 1/2" and will install longer lugs if needed. I think what Dave said above is a good idea. You know you want wider tires too, right!
 
I run a set on my Jeep and as long as you buy good quality ones and re torque often as in 50 miles and every 200 till the nuts no longer move then every 4000 miles
If you look at the applied stress it is the same as a wheel with the same off set
Also when you get the wheels you want resell the spacers
 
I run a set on my Jeep and as long as you buy good quality ones and re torque often as in 50 miles and every 200 till the nuts no longer move then every 4000 miles
If you look at the applied stress it is the same as a wheel with the same off set
Also when you get the wheels you want resell the spacers
And it's that same stress that a wheel with a lot of negative offset creates and shouldn't be used but that is a bit different since they are not being held on with a set of adapters. And to me, having to retorque everything that often until things quit moving says something. With a set of new aluminum wheels, I'll check them soon after but that's all I have do. Retorque a set of heads....sure and only once but having to tighten them up that many times sounds a bit scary to me.
 
damn now I have to go look at wheels, what would you guys recommend putting on the rears to fill out the arches since you are making me go down this road ;-)
 
The widest you can shove under a 1st Gen is a 295 mounted on a 10" wheel with a 5" backspace (-12 offset).

295/50/15 (use to be really hard to find, now there sold everywhere and manufactured by everyone)
295/55/15 (not a lot to choose from, but available)

295/50/16 (use to be quite common when you couldn't find the 15's, but now the tables have turned, at least for the moment.. good luck)

It always seems to be feast or famine with tires.

Any tire smaller than this is not a concern...
 
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And it's that same stress that a wheel with a lot of negative offset creates and shouldn't be used but that is a bit different since they are not being held on with a set of adapters. And to me, having to retorque everything that often until things quit moving says something. With a set of new aluminum wheels, I'll check them soon after but that's all I have do. Retorque a set of heads....sure and only once but having to tighten them up that many times sounds a bit scary to me.

I just like to be safe and it is rare to have one move but I have never had a loose wheel
 
Agree with your hypothesis. The original setup on the first generation chargers can be improved by better filling out the wheel well. Not sure if the pictures help but trying to illustrate with a picture. Used different tires, rims and ultimately a spacer to arrive at the set up in the picture. Had to go with 17" tires due to the brakes.

Car on day it came home.JPG

photoshoot left rear quarter.jpg

finished rear view.jpg
 
If you were just using a billit spacer to adjust back space it might be ok. Those style adapters are known to break. My rec is DON"T use them.
I have towed many ricers and a few 4x4's with broken adapters.
 

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That is exactly what I am looking for, are they Crager 500's? Can you give me the full spec of wheels, tyres, spacers as I wish to copy that look 100% if you don't mind! :)
 
Wheels are Magnum 500s from YearOne
Front 17 x 8 inches
Rear 17 x 9 inches
Tires
Front 245/40ZR-17
Rear 285/40ZR-17
1 inch spacer in the rear.
Sorry, I don't remember the backspacing and the car is at the restoration shop storage and a little tweaks (just finished car in September) so I can't measure it. Hopefully the pictures help.
 
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