Hi,
I currently have 5.5" steel wheels on my 74 Ghia (I like the look) with 165x80 tires.
I want to have wider tires while preserving the general look and diameter, plus I like the look of the steels.
I am inclined to use 185x70's. They will have approximately (a little less, very little) the same diameter as 165x80's.
My problem is, this tire is 7.28 wide. On a 5.5" rim it is almost 2 inches wider and in my experience it will flex under stress.
So I was thinking to wide the rim (towards the inside to avoid rubbing) by 1 inch.
Has anyone here in the US done this ? (change a 5.5" steel rim into a 6.5")?
I have done it in Brazil in the 70's, but so much changed...
Wheel bashing - changing a 5.5" rim into a 6.5"
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- Marc
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Re: Wheel bashing - changing a 5.5" rim into a 6.5"
Years ago we had a go-to place in Oregon (Willamette Wheel) that we used for building all of our racecar rims. Send `em a center and the specs of what you wanted, and they could build anything. They had ready-made hoops on the shelf which they could weld onto the provided center; for the really wide (10"+) stuff they'd cut a standard-width hoop apart and weld in a band, or cut two hoops apart asymmetrically and weld the remains together to create a rim of the desired width.
If you have access to a lathe to chop your rims apart, you could use either technique. Either insert a band, or find another donor rim that you can cut an inch "long" and graft onto yours.
It's not rocket science, but it takes a lathe and welding skills to accomplish. Done sloppily, there'll be issues with runout and balance.
Are you certain that there'll be inside clearance at full lock? You can put in longer Pitman arm stop-bolts, but you probably wouldn't want to end up with too gigantic of a turning-circle..
If you have access to a lathe to chop your rims apart, you could use either technique. Either insert a band, or find another donor rim that you can cut an inch "long" and graft onto yours.
It's not rocket science, but it takes a lathe and welding skills to accomplish. Done sloppily, there'll be issues with runout and balance.
Are you certain that there'll be inside clearance at full lock? You can put in longer Pitman arm stop-bolts, but you probably wouldn't want to end up with too gigantic of a turning-circle..
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Re: Wheel bashing - changing a 5.5" rim into a 6.5"
In Brazil, I used the "band" method.
Seems to me that either method would work. I wish I knew of a place that does it.
I think going just 1 inch inside provides enough clearance, even in full lock - this is after all an IRS... But come to think of it, you are thinking about the front. I believe there is clearance. only 1 inch....
I also would like to get everyone's thoughts:
I'm having second thoughts on the series 70. Too hard to find, and when I do, too expensive.
What is best, a 6.5" rim (assuming I can get it done the way I want) with a 185 x 65, or
a 5.5" rim with the same tire (remember, a 185 is 7.28" wide)
Seems to me that either method would work. I wish I knew of a place that does it.
I think going just 1 inch inside provides enough clearance, even in full lock - this is after all an IRS... But come to think of it, you are thinking about the front. I believe there is clearance. only 1 inch....
I also would like to get everyone's thoughts:
I'm having second thoughts on the series 70. Too hard to find, and when I do, too expensive.
What is best, a 6.5" rim (assuming I can get it done the way I want) with a 185 x 65, or
a 5.5" rim with the same tire (remember, a 185 is 7.28" wide)
- Marc
- Moderator
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- Joined: Thu May 23, 2002 12:01 am
Re: Wheel bashing - changing a 5.5" rim into a 6.5"
185 is comfortable (for both you and the tire) on 5½".
A wider rim'll pull the sidewalls taut and stiffen things up - good when handling's the higher priority.
The "normal" (street use) rim width range for a 185 is 5-6½", so you wouldn't be doing anything considered extreme.
A wider rim'll pull the sidewalls taut and stiffen things up - good when handling's the higher priority.
The "normal" (street use) rim width range for a 185 is 5-6½", so you wouldn't be doing anything considered extreme.
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Re: Wheel bashing - changing a 5.5" rim into a 6.5"
A 6½" wheel would be fine on the rear, but I wouldn't do it on the front for three reasons.
It is heavier, so it makes the front ride worse.
Like Marc said, it stretches the beads wider making for less flex, making the front ride worse.
Adding rim width to the inside at the front requires you to adjust your steering stops to reduce your turning angle. This increases your turning radius. Then you can't do a u-turn anymore.
A 5½" wheel works well on a 185/65 tire.
It is heavier, so it makes the front ride worse.
Like Marc said, it stretches the beads wider making for less flex, making the front ride worse.
Adding rim width to the inside at the front requires you to adjust your steering stops to reduce your turning angle. This increases your turning radius. Then you can't do a u-turn anymore.
A 5½" wheel works well on a 185/65 tire.
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Re: Wheel bashing - changing a 5.5" rim into a 6.5"
Thanks everyone...
After hearing your opinions, what you guys think of (again, assuming I can bash decent 6.5" rims):
-In the rear, 6.5" rims (with the extra inch going towards the inside) and 195x65 tires.
-In the front, 5.5" rims and 185x65 tires.
All of that, of course taking into account that this is a 1974 (IRS) Ghia...And Handling is a priority.
After hearing your opinions, what you guys think of (again, assuming I can bash decent 6.5" rims):
-In the rear, 6.5" rims (with the extra inch going towards the inside) and 195x65 tires.
-In the front, 5.5" rims and 185x65 tires.
All of that, of course taking into account that this is a 1974 (IRS) Ghia...And Handling is a priority.
- ps2375
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Re: Wheel bashing - changing a 5.5" rim into a 6.5"
My Bug handles very well with 185/65-15's up front and 205/65-15's out back on what I think are 5.5" wide wheels. I'd like the wider wheel, but it just isn't in the cards for some time. And these wheels would become my "street" wheels, while a wider and possibly taller wheel would be for auto-x.
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Re: Wheel bashing - changing a 5.5" rim into a 6.5"
As you change tire/rim widths in the front end of your car, you can change the "scrub radius" of the front end some. Its adjustment is the reason for setting the camber in the front end alignment. If you are intending on any performance driving or having stiff then normal steering camber is going to be important to have set correctly.
For what it is worth.
Lee
For what it is worth.
Lee