Wheel adaptor and spacer effect...

[GsxrMike]

Ok so I am still look for tires and found some 38.5x15x16 boggers with wheels "like new" for $850 bucks + shipping and handling (525 miles away). They are on some mickey thompson rims but 2 are 8 lug and 2 are 5 lug. Is there an adaptor I could use to run the 5 lug on my 8 lug axles? If so, does anyone know where I can get some? I figure if they exist and I use them they will space the wheels out a couple inches, and if so, I could prolly run some spacers for the 8 lug rims to get everything to match. If this is a posiblity, what impact would the adaptors and spacers have on my bearings etc.? Thanks!

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

IMO you're better off selling the two 5 lug wheels and buying new ones.

The more the wheels stick out past the bearings (i.e. the less backspacing you have) the less life your wheel bearings and balljoints/kingpins will have.



The kingpins and wheel bearings on earlier D60's hold up pretty well to big tires.

Balljoint D60's (which almost always have unit bearing hubs) have wheel bearings that are much closer together and hence don't last nearly as long.

 

[GsxrMike]

Kinda what I thought...

The ad says "Mounted on Baha Racing Rims/ Mickey Thompsons" but I can't find anything about these rims. Here is a picture of them. Do you know where I can find something like this? I would like to get an idea of how much the rims are before I buy the tires. Also, I have never heard of this but could a machine shop change the bolt pattern on the 5 lug rims to 8 lug?

 

[supersize75k5]

look up desert rat, I believe they sell mickey wheels,

for the money the spacers/adapters will cost you you are almost to the cost of the rims..sell the other rims and make some money back.

hell a wheel should be worth 20 bucks just in scrap

 

[supersize75k5]

http://www.desertrat.com/products/?id=4384

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

To clarify:

Don't mess with wheel adapters (sketchy at best). Don't try to redrill your wheels for the 8 lug pattern (VERY dangerous)

Running big tires on a 10 bolt or D44 will wear out the wheel bearing and ball joints very quickly regardless of how well you maintain them.

If you want to buy these tires expect to repair/maintain the front end on a consistent basis.

 

[supersize75k5]

To clarify:

Don't mess with wheel adapters (sketchy at best). Don't try to redrill your wheels for the 8 lug pattern (VERY dangerous)

Running big tires on a 10 bolt or D44 will wear out the wheel bearing and ball joints very quickly regardless of how well you maintain them.

If you want to buy these tires expect to repair/maintain the front end on a consistent basis.

I agree..

you should schedule ball joints and bearing for every other oil change

 

[GsxrMike]

You guys think I would be better of with 38.5x11 instead of 38.5x15? They weigh like 20 lbs. lighter each i think! I

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

You guys think I would be better of with 38.5x11 instead of 38.5x15? They weigh like 20 lbs. lighter each i think! I

Part of the wear on the balljoints and bearings is due to weight but most is due to the leverage of the tire.

Bigger tire, more leverage, stuff wears out quicker.

 

[noJeepshere]

Ok so I am still look for tires and found some 38.5x15x16 boggers with wheels "like new" for $850 bucks + shipping and handling (525 miles away). They are on some mickey thompson rims but 2 are 8 lug and 2 are 5 lug. Is there an adaptor I could use to run the 5 lug on my 8 lug axles? If so, does anyone know where I can get some? I figure if they exist and I use them they will space the wheels out a couple inches, and if so, I could prolly run some spacers for the 8 lug rims to get everything to match. If this is a posiblity, what impact would the adaptors and spacers have on my bearings etc.? Thanks!

is this on the front axle? i can see definate problems with spacers on the front, but the back not so much. i really dont like how the rear 12 bolt on my 81 jimmy is 3" narrower then the front. any problems with spacers on the back?

sorry hijack

 

[Citizen Rider]

I dont like the leverage given on the studs imo. Maybe i over thought it, but i would rather go with my 2.5" backspaced rims than a spacer anyday. And to clarify, i went 2.5 for stability.