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Aftermarket front wheels

Posted: February 12, 2018, 12:19 pm
by charliemccraney
Since my earlier post isn't generating the specs I was hoping for, viewtopic.php?f=1&t=37732 I'll approach it from another angle.

My current wheels have about +11 offset. The wheels are not stock and I do not know how much they vary from stock if they do at all. With aftermarket wheels, 0 offset is pretty common and gives me quite a few options but that would move the center of each wheel out just shy of 7/16". I have no plans for power steering and I'm only 130lbs so there is not much power behind the steering wheel to begin with.

From those who have done this or actually know suspension and steering, will that 7/16" difference have a significant affect on the effort required to steer or handling?

Re: Aftermarket front wheels

Posted: February 14, 2018, 10:16 am
by charliemccraney
I know people have put aftermarket and non-stock wheels on these trucks. No one can offer insight?

Re: Aftermarket front wheels

Posted: February 15, 2018, 11:24 am
by Day 2
Well, I'll post something.. First I do not know what +11 offset means, but I have a set of Wheel Vintiques smoothies in 15x6 and 15x7 that I run on the front, can not tell any difference between the two, also have my Americans that I run and up front they are 15x8, still can not tell any difference. Not sure if thats what your looking for? Just don't think theres going to be any problem with any wheel, sorry for being so blunt.

Robert

Re: Aftermarket front wheels

Posted: February 15, 2018, 1:11 pm
by charliemccraney
I appreciate the response. Are your wheels standard or custom backspace? Which Americans do you have?

Offset is the distance from the hub contacting surface to the center of the wheel. 0 is right in the center. + moves that mounting surface out, which moves the wheel toward the center of the vehicle. - moves that mounting surface in, which moves the wheel towards the outside of the vehicle. This image illustrates that.

It is an important consideration because the offset affects the scrub radius, which affects steering and handling but that may only be significant with bigger changes than 1/2" or so.

Image

Re: Aftermarket front wheels

Posted: February 15, 2018, 5:05 pm
by Day 2
Hey Charlie, OK, I understand backspacing and offset, just not in metric terms :) My point in the above was that I do not believe you would be able to tell the difference from one wheel to the next. Maybe I'm wrong? And I doubt you will find anyone who can tell you the answer to your question, think about it, all the different wheels it would take just to do the test to get enough data to mean anything..and doing it on an old slick... I suggest you buy the wheels that you like and run with them.
I have the 200s Americans, Good luck with your quest.

Robert

Re: Aftermarket front wheels

Posted: February 15, 2018, 6:59 pm
by charliemccraney
It looks like there is only .125" difference between the 6" and 7" smoothies with one being 0 and the other +.125" This does help with my decision because they are close to the offset of the wheel I would like to use.


I don't see the 200S in a 5.5" bolt circle. Do you know the backspace or offset?

Re: Aftermarket front wheels

Posted: February 16, 2018, 8:12 am
by Day 2
charliemccraney wrote:It looks like there is only .125" difference between the 6" and 7" smoothies with one being 0 and the other +.125" This does help with my decision because they are close to the offset of the wheel I would like to use.


I don't see the 200S in a 5.5" bolt circle. Do you know the backspace or offset?
Glad to have helped some. I do not believe the 200s will be in the 5.5 pattern. At least they were not in 1993 when I got my wheels, they are the 4.5 bolt pattern. I did the disc brake conversion without the aide of any pre-made parts. I had my own caliper brackets cut from 1/2" sheet and I used the rotors from a 79 Ford Wagon, with big GM calipers and bought a set of rear axles from Currie with the 4.5 pattern.
But, anyhow the rear spacing on the 15x8 American is 4". I guess it pretty much dead center...


Robert

Re: Aftermarket front wheels

Posted: February 16, 2018, 9:12 am
by charliemccraney
4" backspace on an 8" rim is -1/2" offset (-13 American Racing spec) since the overall width of the rim is about 9". So if you run all three with no perceptible difference, then it is a good sign that I will be ok. Thank you for the replies.

Re: Aftermarket front wheels

Posted: April 26, 2018, 8:25 pm
by charliemccraney
I got the wheels installed. Initial impressions are that it steers a little more easily and handles a little differently. Optimum tire pressure is yet to be determined, so that could contribute to those things.