35" KM2s...installed ! !

[OffTrac]

How concerned should I be with getting the center caps for the wheels? I'm not sure I would actually like the way they look. IME, they seem to be a great place to collect dirt, not prevent it. Any opinions?

Also, any bored photoshop pros wanna gimme an idea what these wheels would look like with those tires on my truck?
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/PCW-52-7965R2-5/

 

[OffTrac]

Ok, getting closer.

Pretty much decided on a 17x8 for the 35x12.5 KM2s. Just looking for backspacing thoughts. I already know the part about being crazy.

So, backspacing? 2.5" or 4.25"?

I'm leaning toward 4.25". I think 4.5" would be a little too much and cause more issues rubbing on things I can't cut away. Still a little concerned about that with 4.25" since it's only a 1/4" less but it's an improvement. With 2.5", I'm afraid they will stick too far outside the wheel well but I like the idea of moving them away from the suspension; which brings the thought of even more stress on the already relatively weak suspension.

Or does anyone know of a cheap steel wheel that comes in a 17x8 with 3.50" or 3.75" backspacing? I feel that would be ideal.

Basically, deciding between these right now:

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/PCW-98-7866/

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/PCW-52-7866R2-5/

 

[MidnightRebel07]

My 15x8's have 4" b.s., not sure if you can go any further then 4", most go with 3.75".

 

[OffTrac]

That's what I was afraid of but it seems that 17s jump from 4.25" to 2.5".

 

[OffTrac]

How close to the suspension is your setup with 4" backspace and 12.5" wide tires?

 

[MidnightRebel07]

The tires are fine, no rub on suspension. It's the wheels that need to clear the calipers and tierod ends. Not all 15's clear on our trucks, 17's shouldn't be any issue. You plan on doing some major cutting to clear the 35's? Since you're not doing the SAS for now?

 

[OffTrac]

Yup, got a fresh batch of sawzall blades and cutting wheels. I've got a few ideas that I haven't seen before and may give them a try. I may also get started on learning fiberglass.

I'm also toying around with pushing the SAS way back and doing a coilover similar to gman's while I get the '69 Cougar finished. Heck, I may even buy his entire setup if the timing and money is right. I'm more tired of having my Cougar sit than I am with having IFS.

 

[OffTrac]

I'm tireless...and not in the Red Bull kinda way.

 

[OffTrac]

The tires are fine, no rub on suspension. It's the wheels that need to clear the calipers and tierod ends. Not all 15's clear on our trucks, 17's shouldn't be any issue. You plan on doing some major cutting to clear the 35's? Since you're not doing the SAS for now?

When you say the tires are fine and there's no rubbing on suspension, how close to rubbing are you? Calipers and such aren't a concern with 17s so I'm only worried about rubbing on the inside. Is it close enough that you'd be uncomfortable with another 1/4" backspacing? I'm leaning more toward the 4.25" bs wheels, now.

I'd hate to get the 2.5" bs and have to trim the entire face off the truck and also have that much more stress on the D35. If the 4.25" is going to tear stuff up inside, I guess I'll have to choose my poison. The bad idea is already set in motion...there's no going back.

I plan to buy the wheels tonight.

 

[MidnightRebel07]

I'd honestly go with the 4.25"b.s. before I went with the 2.5", that'll just push the wheels and tires out way too much for the frontend components and for the bady clearences.

 

[OffTrac]

I think that's the plan. What could possibly go wrong?

 

[Gse Brent]

Man thats gonna be a tight fit but Txplates and John Rock did it. Go for it!

 

[OffTrac]

That's the inspiration. Just waiting on the wheels to get here. I ordered them Wednesday night. Got these.

 

[MidnightRebel07]

I like those wheels, those matching black centers should look really good. Remember, it'll look better with the white letters out, JMO.

 

[GRNMACHINE]

I have a set of the "D Rings" sitting in basement, Definitely dig the round holes alot better! Nice choice. Cant wait to see these on your rig.

 

[Gse Brent]

They almost look like mine minus then "knock off" beadlock appearence

 

[OffTrac]

Thanks guys. Went ahead and ordered a new rack and pinion tonight as well. Figured that small leak was going to become a big problem with 35s if I didn't go ahead and deal with it.

As for the white letters, I'll consider it but I'm pretty sure I'm going to stick with black out.

 

[OffTrac]

Well, this information was not given before ordering, but apparently it would have been the same deal no matter what I had done. I ordered them from Summit because there's one about an hour away (shipping was less than gas to drive there). Any issues can be a ride (to cool down) and talk to a liver person face-to-face.

The wheels are set to be shipped from the manufacturer (which I knew) on Dec. 23. (which I didn't know). 3-1/2 weeks to get the wheels and the center caps are on backorder (knew that). :frustrate

In the mean time, look for a write-up on replacing the rack and pinion. Might play around with a few other surprises as well. I'm usually a really patient person, but I'm driving a 90-something Buick LeSabre right now... Don't mind the car, just hate that I have a ST going on 35s and a '69 Cougar, both out of commission.

 

[LONO100]

How concerned should I be with getting the center caps for the wheels? I'm not sure I would actually like the way they look. IME, they seem to be a great place to collect dirt, not prevent it. Any opinions?

Also, any bored photoshop pros wanna gimme an idea what these wheels would look like with those tires on my truck?
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/PCW-52-7965R2-5/

i havent been running my center caps because i have those soda can style caps and they look ugly to me, but after my first couple of runs in the snow this winter im thinking about putting them back on. i also found a set of stock explorer caps at my local pick n pull for 12 bucks. i just need to paint them black and then throw them on.

 

[OffTrac]

Yeah, I'm still not set on the center caps. I ordered them but they were on backorder. I'm still deciding whether I just want to cancel those and go without, or if I'm going to like them. I know I want to keep it all black, but I can't really decide whether I'm going to like the look of them on there or not.