Vette Wheel Need Spacers?
 

I finally picked out the wheel/tire combo I want to run on my 91 4dr 4x4. I think it will help clean up it's looks a lot. They are 18" x 8.5 with 56mm offset and will be wrapped with 255/55-18's. I do plan on lowering the front end an inch or two from the current position depending on how much fender gap is left. I don't want it on the ground, but a slight forward rake that most stock trucks have. Right now it's kinda up there.

I believe the previous owner cranked the front end up a bit because there is quite a gap on the current 235/75-15's, the front wheels have a slight positive camber, and the front suspenion is pretty stiff. Even after several alignments the camber is still there. The rear height seems normal from looking at different owner pics. Of course I don't think they will automatically adjust ride height during an alignment, but I did ask about the camber. All shops said it wasn't enough to worry about adjusting. Is that normal when the torsion bars have been cranked up?

With the rims I was told by the dealer that I will need some spacers to push them out about an 1/2" or so because of the offset, but they will work fine. My question: is this true and will I have to get longer lugs and/or nuts to do this? If so then I may want to look at other rims if it's going to be a pain.

Also, since the front and rear axles have different lengths, what can I do to kinda even it out a bit as it looks kinda messed up with the fronts sticking out a bit while the rears tuck? Lastly, how low can I drop the ride height on that tire size before any scrubbing appears? I want to keep that tire size for better wheel protection and a meaner street look. I looked at 20's and the asscociated tire size..... way too thin for a truck IMO! So don't even suggest on that.


Thanks ahead for any solid suggestions. Below is the wheel and the stance I'm looking for.

Ash


[IMG]local://upfiles/3007/DA0D205384A342B5A8948A8D4D6A6AAD.jpg[/IMG]

RE: Vette Wheel Need Spacers?
 

go with a 2 inch spacer on the rear, 1.5 up front that way you wont need longer studs, or else yes you will need longer studs to go with a 1 inch spacer on the rear and a 1/2 in spacer up front. either way will even up the track, i have two 2 inch spacers for sale too ;)

RE: Vette Wheel Need Spacers?
 

I'm a little confused with that statement... Shouldn't a 2 inch spacer require longer studs than a 1 inch, likewise with the 1.5 and .5 inch? Are you talking about adapters? The ones that already have studs? If so, then like said I may have to go with something else because those adapters are a bit pricey.

Also, I'm not sure about pushing the fronts out too far past .5 inches. The recommended offset is 38-40mm and the vette wheels are 56mm. I do have the stock fender flares. The 16-18mm difference equals to .62 & .70 inches so a 5/8 inch adapter would be perfect. Not sure if they make one in that particular size though.

I know there are quite a few blazer's running vette wheels, but I'm not sure which wheels. Would you happen to know how long the stock studs are?

RE: Vette Wheel Need Spacers?
 

2 inch adapter comes with studs yes. stock studs are 1.5 so if you go less than a 1.5spacer without studsyou will need new long studs to be safe. even a 1/4 inch spacer is questionable safety wise because you are losing 1/4 of stud length. also if you go less than a 1.5 adapter then you have to drill out the back of the wheel to clear the exposed stock studs, make sense? lol! i have a pair of like new 2 inch 4.75adapters with studs for $60 shipped

RE: Vette Wheel Need Spacers?
 

oh by the way those wheels are offset way in, no dish at allso you can push them out with 2 inch out back and 1.5 inch up front adapters to avoid rubbing the frame ;)

RE: Vette Wheel Need Spacers?
 

Okay... Ive been doing some research and looking at other wheel options. I even checked out going to 20's, but I cant seem to get over the rubber band look on this truck. Not to mention I do plan on dropping the front end for a slight forward rake like 2nd Gen's and 18 inch wheels gives a whole lot more tire options than 20's. Anywho...

Still cant seem to get and answer on how some guys are putting the vette wheels on their 4x4. I know they will bolt right up, but the hub and 56mm offset is still a mystery. The dealer recommends 1/4 inch spacers for them to sit right. Not the adapters, but the flat spacers that just go in between the stock lugs and the rims. Also what about the center cap. Will this be a problem with the front axle? Some are saying they went on with no problem, but they are different rims I think. When I try to look them up, I could not find any specs on wheels they used to compare.

If anybody had any experience with this I would surely appreciate some sound advice.

RE: Vette Wheel Need Spacers?
 

Ok people, I've found the info I need. It was a PITA for there wasn't much help out there, but I will share the wealth anyways in hope no one else will have to go through what I went through!

Anyways, we all know that when fitting vette wheels or any other wheels for that matter on these trucks offset is important. You must know what the stock offset is and try to stay within those limits as much as possible (4x4 = 35-40mm). No duh right? However, the situation I found with the vette wheels are that due to the high offset especially with the newer C6 R front wheels, of course adapters would have to be used. This would equate to 1/2" minimum to 5/8" maximum since most late model vette wheels linger around 56mm offset. This is not the problem! The problem lies in the lack of available adapters (not spacers!) that go below 1 inch. 1 inch is the standard start in adapters as going below that will not have enough stock for strength. Remember we are talking about aluminum adapters which is the most common. Don't mistake spacers for adapters! Even though you are not switching lug patterns, adapters have their own lugs and recessed holes to hide the nuts that bolt up to your existing lugs.

The other option is spacers, which are the ones that simply slide on the existing lugs in between the the hub & rim and have no lugs. Here presents another problem as the stock lugs will have to be replaced by ones that will make up for what the spacers take away. In this case 1/2" to 5/8" longer lugs. Another problem is that now your wheels will be hard to balance since they will no longer be hubcentrically attached! Not to mention that if you decide to switch back to a standard fitting wheel, now you will have extra lug length that may or may not cause a problem.

With this said I do believe those running Vette wheels on the 4x4 models are using the older C4 type which are limited to 17x9.5' that have an 40mm offset. Better fit, but still not very good there either since you will have to use a slightly wider tire and lower profile to accommodate the rim width. I do believe 255's series tires are rated from 7-9 inches (rim width allowance) Beyond that is quite experimental and expensive.

As for you 2wd guys, this becomes a bit easier as you will need around 2-2.5 inches to push the vette wheels back out to where you need them. Those are very easy to find, though also expensive. Still easily puts you in the ballpark of where you need to be using the newer vette wheels.

I edited this post after much deliberation on the above aspects and found the 18x8.5 fronts w/56mm offset are doable with an 1 inch adapter. This is if you can live with about .5 inch sticking out past the fender. Not good for lowering way down or maybe with the use of fender flares, but I believe it will work. How much stress on the front end parts is to be determined as it's not much like using 2wd rims on a 4wd. I know some like that look, but take the risk upon yourself. Though I still find the black/chrome C6 R attractive, the adapters add too much to the cost to not consider other rims. Thus I still choose not to use them. IF anyone does, please post some pics so we can see how it turned out.


I hope this helps anyone looking into this matter, clear things up a bit. Now as for me, off to find new wheels as my dreams of running the C6 R's have been shattered! :(

Ash