wheel adaptors - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

casey · 03-15-2003, 04:08 PM

Iwas wondering if anyone knows of a good place to get wheel adaptors for my 71 4x4, as you all know the rear diff is narrower than the front, and to give it a more even stance I'd like to bring my back rims out 1 1/8" on each side to square it up with the front. the way it sits now the rear wheels look to tucked in. Has anyone had any experience with this? Thanks

ChevLoRay · 03-15-2003, 08:30 PM

Why not swap a later 4WD rear end? The reason for the difference is the 71 and up disc brakes added width to the front track. The rear ends thru 73 were the same width, but not as wide as the disc brake fronts. I believe the 74 rear axles assemblies are wider than the earlier. If you already have a leaf spring rear, the swap should be easy. If not, you can do the conversion.

I don't know of any trustworthy spacers that are "affordable". There is at least one company that does make some high-dollar adapters/spacers, but I don't remember who it is.

cdowns · 03-15-2003, 08:34 PM

if you have plans in the future of putting custom rims on the truck you can solve the problem with the proper offsets

Longhorn Man · 03-16-2003, 01:34 AM

And you may want to look into the legality of spacers. You also need to be warned of the (minimal) added stress it puts on your axles and bearings.

low 84 · 03-16-2003, 02:51 AM

a couple things, don't get aluminum spacers. get steel ones. and expect to pay alot of money for good ones. i think just the two that i needed for my 17x9.5's on the front were around 120 bux. i will try to figure out who manufacutred them, i can't remember.

casey · 03-16-2003, 03:32 AM

if you can remember low 84 could you pm me thanks, ChevRoLay I'd swap rear ends but mine was rebuild,cdowns I'd get custom rims but I got a nice set of rallys with 33's, and wider rims on the back mean you can rotate your tires, Longhornmail I thought about the added stress on the wheel bearings, but how would that be any differant than a wide off set rim, I don't plan on any off roading or pulling a trailer.

Longhorn Man · 03-16-2003, 01:05 PM

Hmmmm, dam good point there.
Anyone smarter than me know why? I have just always heard that that one of the reasons they were illegal in Tx.

mikep · 03-16-2003, 02:07 PM

Its not the added stress on the wheel bearings thats the problem. Thats no different than a different offset and isnt a safety problem. The problem is that many spacers are just plates with holes in them that longer studs pass through. Its that type that is the problem as the longer unsuported stud can flex and fatigue and eventually break or shear off. Not good.

casey · 03-16-2003, 04:12 PM

mikep the ones I'm looking for are the adaptors, there one solid peice, you bolt them to your studs and the adaptor has 6 more studs on it on the out side of the adaptor, to bolt your wheel, what do you think of those, low 84 says don't get aluminium,get steel makes sense to me.

mikep · 03-16-2003, 07:24 PM

I dont see any problem with the steel ones. You'll get a decrease in bearing life but BFD .

low 84 · 03-16-2003, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by casey
mikep the ones I'm looking for are the adaptors, there one solid peice, you bolt them to your studs and the adaptor has 6 more studs on it on the out side of the adaptor, to bolt your wheel, what do you think of those, low 84 says don't get aluminium,get steel makes sense to me.

thats exactly how mine are. my front 17x9.5s are 5x4.75 bolt pattern and the wrong offset, but the spacers are drilled to fit on the 5x5 bolt pattern, then they have their own studs in them for the 5x4.75 bolt patter n of the wheel. so they change the bolt pattern and push the wheels out some. i actauly bought them from a friend and he origainly ordered the spacers so i'll get in touch with him and see where they were made

casey · 03-16-2003, 09:26 PM

Thanks guys low 84 if you could find that out for me I'd appreciate it, or if anyone else knows of a source please reply

03-15-2003, 04:08 PM	#1
casey Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Kelowna B.C. Canada Posts: 2,048	wheel adaptors Iwas wondering if anyone knows of a good place to get wheel adaptors for my 71 4x4, as you all know the rear diff is narrower than the front, and to give it a more even stance I'd like to bring my back rims out 1 1/8" on each side to square it up with the front. the way it sits now the rear wheels look to tucked in. Has anyone had any experience with this? Thanks

03-15-2003, 08:30 PM	#2
ChevLoRay Old Skool Club Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Benton, AR "The Heart of Arkansas" Posts: 10,880	Why not swap a later 4WD rear end? The reason for the difference is the 71 and up disc brakes added width to the front track. The rear ends thru 73 were the same width, but not as wide as the disc brake fronts. I believe the 74 rear axles assemblies are wider than the earlier. If you already have a leaf spring rear, the swap should be easy. If not, you can do the conversion. I don't know of any trustworthy spacers that are "affordable". There is at least one company that does make some high-dollar adapters/spacers, but I don't remember who it is. __________________ Member Nr. 2770 '96 GMC Sportside; 4.3/SLT - Daily driven....constantly needs washed. '69 C-10 SWB; 350/TH400 - in limbo The older I get, the better I was.

03-15-2003, 08:34 PM	#3
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	if you have plans in the future of putting custom rims on the truck you can solve the problem with the proper offsets __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY

03-16-2003, 02:51 AM	#5
low 84 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 2,144	a couple things, don't get aluminum spacers. get steel ones. and expect to pay alot of money for good ones. i think just the two that i needed for my 17x9.5's on the front were around 120 bux. i will try to figure out who manufacutred them, i can't remember. __________________ '51 F100, backhalf with a narrowed 9 and coil overs, 18.5" mickeys, monte front clip, +400" sbc in the works '05 1500 Crew Cab RIP '84 swb 5/7 drop, solid cammed 408 w/ fully ported dart heads, th350 w/ 10 inch hughes, 12 bolt w/ 3.73 richmonds and a locker '80 swb 4x4 in progress: 7" lift, 350 th350/np205, d44 and 1.5" ORD tie rod, 14BFF w/discs , armored diff covers, 40" MTR's

03-16-2003, 02:07 PM	#8
mikep Used to have a truck Join Date: May 2002 Location: port orchard WA Posts: 1,552	Its not the added stress on the wheel bearings thats the problem. Thats no different than a different offset and isnt a safety problem. The problem is that many spacers are just plates with holes in them that longer studs pass through. Its that type that is the problem as the longer unsuported stud can flex and fatigue and eventually break or shear off. Not good. __________________ No truck :-(

03-16-2003, 01:34 AM	#4
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	And you may want to look into the legality of spacers. You also need to be warned of the (minimal) added stress it puts on your axles and bearings.

03-16-2003, 03:32 AM	#6
casey Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Kelowna B.C. Canada Posts: 2,048	if you can remember low 84 could you pm me thanks, ChevRoLay I'd swap rear ends but mine was rebuild,cdowns I'd get custom rims but I got a nice set of rallys with 33's, and wider rims on the back mean you can rotate your tires, Longhornmail I thought about the added stress on the wheel bearings, but how would that be any differant than a wide off set rim, I don't plan on any off roading or pulling a trailer.

03-16-2003, 01:05 PM	#7
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Hmmmm, dam good point there. Anyone smarter than me know why? I have just always heard that that one of the reasons they were illegal in Tx.

03-16-2003, 04:12 PM	#9
casey Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Kelowna B.C. Canada Posts: 2,048	mikep the ones I'm looking for are the adaptors, there one solid peice, you bolt them to your studs and the adaptor has 6 more studs on it on the out side of the adaptor, to bolt your wheel, what do you think of those, low 84 says don't get aluminium,get steel makes sense to me. Last edited by casey; 03-16-2003 at 04:57 PM.

03-16-2003, 07:24 PM	#10
mikep Used to have a truck Join Date: May 2002 Location: port orchard WA Posts: 1,552	I dont see any problem with the steel ones. You'll get a decrease in bearing life but BFD . __________________ No truck :-(

03-16-2003, 09:26 PM	#12
casey Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Kelowna B.C. Canada Posts: 2,048	Thanks guys low 84 if you could find that out for me I'd appreciate it, or if anyone else knows of a source please reply Last edited by casey; 03-18-2003 at 11:15 AM.

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