Late model offset wheels on a 68 C-10 LB...Anyone?!??

[PONYKLR]

Has anyone come up with a works/no works guide for this situation?? I have a STOCK suspensioned C-10 that I'm just trying to get running right now. It needed wheels/tires and I found a set of 18" billet wheels at the Fall GoodGuys GTG for CHEAP, but now I'm worried they won't bolt up. Specifics are 18X8 w/5.5" POS. offset, 18X10 w/6.25" POS. offset. A friend of mine is concerned they may sit so far into the wheelwell that they might hit the control arms/trailing arms. Without actually hauling them out to where the truck is stored right now and actually fitting them on it, I'd like to know if I'm going to have problems with these. Be kind, I'm a C-10 newb!!

Tim

[pkj]

i would really try to pre-fit these before laying out the cash. if its a i got to have deal you can always use spacers. the ones that are like a wheel adapter are okay imo. one other problem is the center bore is large on the old wheels. the newer hub centric wheels will have to be machined out or use the adapter. measure twice, buy once.

[68GenIII]

Im pretty sure that is too much backspace on the rears, the fronts will probably work. If the price is too good to pass up you could always run a spacer or adapter to move them out some. Not something I would do and they wont look as good as a wheel made for the wheel well. Wont have the sexy "lip" everyone wants.

[70rs/ss]

too mucho! 6.25 inches is going to put the rear into the inner fender well. Get some really good 2" billet spacers and it'll work or sell the 18's (make the $$$) and buy wheels that'll fit. The most offset you can run is about 3.5-4" any more and they'll hit as well as looking pushed in.

[PONYKLR]

Thanks for the advice all. Looks like they're going up on eBay this weekend, or maybe Craig's List. Never thought about the centerbore's PKJ; that's one that got past me. I really want 20's for it anyway, but wanted to save the money for getting it running instead.

[PONYKLR]

Originally Posted by pkj

......one other problem is the center bore is large on the old wheels. the newer hub centric wheels will have to be machined out or use the adapter.

DING DING DING, we have a winner!!! You were dead-on, PKJ! The center bore on the wheels is just a hair over 3", but the spindles and axles are at LEAST 3.5", looks like higher for the rear axles. I had the spindles turned down on my Turbo Buick Regal when I installed a set of early Boyd's cast AL wheels ~15 yrs. ago to get those wheels to fit. I don't think it's worth it this time since they'd have to have at least 1/4 in. taken out on the spindles and I'd have to pull the axles to get them right. SOOOO,....

You mentioned adapters that would have the right bore?!?? Where and who do I speak to about them? My other option may be to have these wheels' centerbore OPENED up a bit. Anyone know of a wheel shop that would be willing to take that on?!??

If all else fails, looks like I'll be dumping these wheels and uping for a new set. It also appears I need to do a COMPLETE susp. rebuild. For that, if I decide to do a switch to 5-on-5 hardware, will that LOWER the GAWR on the truck?!?? I'm thinking that the 6-lug susp. would be able to handle more weight, both hauling and towing. Since this '68 will be doing "double duty" as my "shop" truck as well, I need to take that into consideration. Any comments are welcome.

[Longhorn Man]

5 lug and 6 lug, they are both 1/2 ton.