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17x8's and wheel spacers??

66gt350

66gt350

Active Member
I have the opportunity to get a set of 17x8 rims with 245-50 tire for dirt. The wheels I believe are off a newer cobra, they look like the torque thrust rims. I took a quick pic of it setting next to the fender. The rims are in descent shape -- two are flawless, but two have a bit of curb rash on 'em. The rims looks horrid in the pix thanks to the crappy camera on my blackberry...:
rim1.jpg


It's looking like I'm gonna need about 3/4 - 1" wheel spacers to make these puppy's work. What should I look for in a wheel spacer? I do have an interesting situation with my wheel studs though, that I may have to address. The front are standard lugs on the discs. But in back when I did the disc swap, the kit came with longer studs. But they weren't long enough, I didn't have any threads showing out of the lug nut and I'd like at least 1/2". But the only length longer were 3" studs which are about 1" longer than stock. So I have a lot of thread showing in back. Is the best type of spacer the type that bolts onto the existing stud and then have another set of studs for the rims? Or is there a type that can be held on by the rims?

Any help and advice would be appreciated.
thanks
-rob
 
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Purchase the wheel adapters, not spacers. They bolt to your studs and have another set for the wheels to attach to.
 
I've got similar, if not the same wheels on my '66.

I had to use 1" wheel adapters on the front.

My rearend is narrowed (one inch each side), which required me to use 2" adapters.

The 245-50 tire will likely be too large for your front wheelwell, but will fit fine in the rear.

The wheel adapters that you'll need are all over eBay for approx. $60 a pair.

If your rear wheel studs are too long, why not cut them down to a shorter length? Thread a nut onto the wheel stud first.... or better yet a 1/2-20 cutting die.... and then trim off any excess stud length with a zizwheel. With the cutting die already installed on the stud, back it off to clean up the threads from making the cut.



3_07_09_08_5_52_00_1.JPG
 
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Dave,

What size tire are you runnin' on front? It doesn't look like too much smaller of a tire would fit on the rim.
 
"AzPete" said:
Purchase the wheel adapters, not spacers. They bolt to your studs and have another set for the wheels to attach to.
Click to expand...
Okay, I called these spacers but I guess they are adapters. They don't change the bolt pattern just the wheel spacing or "track". These are 1" thick. I have them on the rear cuz my Versailes rear is narrower than a stock 67 rear axle.
72_19_11_09_8_14_00.jpg
 
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"tarafied1" said:
Okay, I called these spacers but I guess they are adapters. They don't change the bolt pattern just the wheel spacing or "track". These are 1" thick. I have them on the rear cuz my Versailes rear is narrower than a stock 67 rear axle.
Click to expand...

From my times working at a tire shop, what you have were adapters, same lug pattern or a different one, the attached pics is what we found as spacers. I never liked the spacers due to balance issues and most people do not install longer lugs.

2.jpg
 
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Ok....spacer bad...they're out. I guess it's time to redo the studs in the rear axles, again.

Well, the decision just got more difficult....a good set of adapters are about 250-300 bucks. And I found a set of polished torque thrust 16x8 rims with 225/50 with 4 3/4 backspacing

AAAAARRRRRGGGGGHHHH....The decision is making my brain hurt!!!
 
As previously stated, the adapters you'll need are all over ebay @ approx. $60 a pair.... I'm not sure where you're getting the $250-300 prices from....

I refreshed my memory today by looking at my car's tire sizes.

255/45/ZR17 rear

225/45/ZR17 front
 
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