17x8" Chrome bullets with adapters...writeup

allcarfan · Dec 10, 2003

This is an easy writeup compared to what I usually do. I even have pics this time!!!

The mission: To Install my new 17x8" chrome bullet wheels on my 66 mustang. 245/45 nitto 555Rs in the rear and 225/45 hankoon tires in the front. The wheels have 5.5" backspacing so I ordered a set of custom wheel adapters with a 5x4.5" lug patter, 3/4" thick. I also picked up some Metric locking lugnuts with a key...see pic. I got some gorilla lugnuts with a NICE key with my new wheels and tires, but they were standard and the adapters were metric.

First, loosen up all of your lug nuts on all of your wheels...DO NOT remove them...just break them loose. Thank good ness I had an impact wrench (the weather was really bad today) - it saved me a lot of time.

Jack your car up....depending on what wheel you are working on...this writeup is for one of my rear wheels. Once the car is jacked up, with the tire off the ground, remove the loose lugnuts for that wheel. Then slide wheel off.

If you have an adapter slide it over the stock lugs. See pic. Next loosely tighten down the lugs onto the spacer...remember to use a criss-cross pattern. You may have to grind off the end of the lug and lug nut in order for the mounting surface for the wheel on the apdater to be flush. I ran into this problem...fortunately...my wheels had a place for the extra lug nut length to go...see pic.

Next, torque down the lugs...and the key lug nut. Again, remember to use a criss-cross pattern. Next, place wheel on. Install new lugs through the wheel, onto the bolted down adapter. Repeat procedure as you did to install the adapter. Once everything is torqued down, slowly lower the car back down!

Viola...el fin!

I have some space...maybe enough...between my wheels and my fender lips - see pics. My car sits lower on one side than it does the other...I think its because of some worn out leafsprings that the PO tried to 'fix' by putting on different length shackles...aka...third world engineering.

The rear looks like it is sitting low in the pic...and...it is...I have 75lbs of exhaust tubing and mufflers in the trunk, and there is NO weight on the front end. See pic.

Hope this helps some of you that were considering wheel adapters.

Shane

allcarfan · Dec 10, 2003

more pics

more pics...

allcarfan · Dec 10, 2003

some more

these pics are all in the sequence of events...

66P51GT · Dec 10, 2003

Need pics of the car! Gotta see them on.

allcarfan · Dec 10, 2003

this is the end product.

Maybe someone can blow up the pic a little more. For some reason, it keeps coming out SMALLLLLL.....

allcarfan · Dec 10, 2003

allcarfan said:
this is the end product.

Maybe someone can blow up the pic a little more. For some reason, it keeps coming out SMALLLLLL.....

SHe aint pretty anymore....but id rather have her mechanically and structurally sound before she is aethsetically sound.

Two more months and she should be about finished.

66 BLAKE 96 · Dec 10, 2003

Good work!

I've wanted to see a good writeup using these adapters.
Where did you get them?

allcarfan · Dec 10, 2003

66 BLAKE 96 said:
Good work!

I've wanted to see a good writeup using these adapters.
Where did you get them?

I got them custom made from ebay...$140 for a set of 4...built to my specs.

The guy I got them from must work for some kind of wheel adapter store. There is a website...I can post it up a little later when I find it. Im on a SLOW SLOW computer right now and can barely post on stanget...heaven forbid!

allcarfan · Dec 10, 2003

adapters:

www.motorsport-tech.com

red65 · Dec 10, 2003

Nice job! thanks for the write up. The wheels look sweet.

I was considering the same wheel/tire set for a '65 and was wondering about the 3/4" adapters. Could you have gotten away with less? perhaps spacers rather than adapters?

Your photos show just enough clearance to the fender lips - could you have afforded to space them out a little less and make even more clearance to the fenders? Or do you hit leaf springs, ball joints or calipers if they're spaced out any less?

Just wondering - wheel adapters give me a minor case of the heebie jeebies in hard corners / misuse / curb bumps / etc. Any thoughts on strength and durability of the adapters?

Thanks!

allcarfan · Dec 10, 2003

red65 said:
Nice job! thanks for the write up. The wheels look sweet.

I was considering the same wheel/tire set for a '65 and was wondering about the 3/4" adapters. Could you have gotten away with less? perhaps spacers rather than adapters?

Your photos show just enough clearance to the fender lips - could you have afforded to space them out a little less and make even more clearance to the fenders? Or do you hit leaf springs, ball joints or calipers if they're spaced out any less?

Just wondering - wheel adapters give me a minor case of the heebie jeebies in hard corners / misuse / curb bumps / etc. Any thoughts on strength and durability of the adapters?

Thanks!

Well the adapters are one piece billet aluminum with pressed in lugs. Strength and durability should be GREAT.

Different brand tires of the same size are going to give different clearances.

I went with the proven ideal backspacing of 4.75" I wouldnt go in or out anymore. The 4.75" backspacing is a tried a true number.

Hope that helps.

Edbert · Dec 11, 2003

My writeup of 17X8 Bullitt rims on a '67:

http://www.edbert.net/bullits.htm

Bdharn · Dec 11, 2003

Edbert said:
My writeup of 17X8 Bullitt rims on a '67:

http://www.edbert.net/bullits.htm

So on a 67 the 1 1/4 works better? I just bought a set of Polish bullitt wheels 17x8 and did not know for sure what size adapter. I am going to run 5 leaf mid eye leaf springs in the rear and a 1 in drop in the front. What size tire are you using Edbert?

BAD67FUN · Dec 11, 2003

In order for me to clear my own conscience, I must point out that wheel spacers are, in my opinion, a band aid for lack of effort. I'm sure the flames are going to come my way now. But really, first of all they look pretty cheesy. And if you plan on running the car hard, I wouldn't think it's all that safe. Pressed studs into aluminum is not nearly as strong as into steel. It just doesn't sound safe, sorry. I think taking the time to research the exact requirements for offsets is the correct way. It's not easy, but there has to be somebody in here that's tried the combo you're trying. And actually, looking at the pic you showed for clearance... it looks like they will hit the fenders with normal suspension travel. The fronts may hit worse when you turn the wheel... especially with any type of nose dive. I don't intend to pee on your parade. But others thinking of spacers need to know it's just not a quick fix easy option. Sorry.

Edbert · Dec 11, 2003

Bdharn said:
So on a 67 the 1 1/4 works better? I just bought a set of Polish bullitt wheels 17x8 and did not know for sure what size adapter. I am going to run 5 leaf mid eye leaf springs in the rear and a 1 in drop in the front. What size tire are you using Edbert?

Yes, at least with the FoMoCo Bullitt wheels they do. I got mine for $400 with 20 lugs, 4 lockers, center caps, and Goodyear Eagles in 245/45/17. I had to drive to San Antonio to pick them up though

allcarfan · Dec 11, 2003

BAD67FUN said:
In order for me to clear my own conscience, I must point out that wheel spacers are, in my opinion, a band aid for lack of effort.

Thats your OPINION. Many others are using adapters with no problems at all. Several of them are on this site.

BAD67FUN said:
I'm sure the flames are going to come my way now. But really, first of all they look pretty cheesy.

You dont see them with the wheel on.

BAD67FUN said:
And if you plan on running the car hard, I wouldn't think it's all that safe.

Again, dozens of people with performance oriented vehicles running no problems. We have a car at our track that runs 10.90s with the same spacers im using with a 275/50 drag radial. (daily driver)

BAD67FUN said:
I think taking the time to research the exact requirements for offsets is the correct way.

See my other posts...researched this for months. Also spent an hour and a half on the phone with three different wheel manufacturers on several different occasions.

BAD67FUN said:
And actually, looking at the pic you showed for clearance... it looks like they will hit the fenders with normal suspension travel. The fronts may hit worse when you turn the wheel... especially with any type of nose dive. .

Did you not read where I said I had worn out leaf springs and different length shackles? I plan on upgrading in another week or so. So, yes, they PROBABLY would hit right now with my worn out springs and offset shackles. 4.5" leafs and and a little fender roll (which I planned on anyway) will be fine. As for the front...my backspacing is 4.75" now with a 225/45 size tire. Many others have ran a 235/45 tire in the front with the same backspacing and didnt even touch the fender lips.

Thanks for your input. See you on the street...or the track.

Edbert · Dec 11, 2003

Quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally Posted by BAD67FUN
I'm sure the flames are going to come my way now. But really, first of all they look pretty cheesy.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

You dont see them with the wheel on.

What I think is being said here is that the brakes look like they are too far away from the wheel. I actually tend to agree with that. It has NOTHING to do with the spacers though. It has to do with modern wheels in general. Go take a look at any wheel off of any post 1990 Stang and you'll see the hubs are pushed out to the outside of the entier wheel. Back in the '60s they were more to the middle.

What I am saying is that if you want to pay 4 times as much to get Vintage45 or TT2 rims with custom backspacing (so you don't need spacers) you'll still have the same problem. A lot of folks don't like the look of new wheels on old stangs. A lot of people don;t like 40-50 series rubber either. To each his own I say. I'm running 17X8 with 45 series rubber and PERSONNALY don't want anything larger or more radical. I think they look great even though my brakes look wimpy now

As far as safety. There are a lot of misconceptions WRT spacers. Much of it is not understanding the difference between spacers and adapters or shims. the aluminum on these spacers is stronger than the flippin wheel for crying out loud!

EDIT: picture added to prove how good the look

BAD67FUN · Dec 11, 2003

Just because other people use them does not mean it is a good idea. IF it's your only option.. do what you have to do. I don't believe the rigors of straight line drag racing is as extreme as cornering a road course chicane at speed. Like I stated... it's just an opinion

You may be surprised at how much travel a cars suspension has. Simply changing the springs and the rates doesn't always fix it. Unless you're putting a SkyJacker kit in off a Bronco or something. Hopefully rolling the fenders will help. I too needed to do that.

You may not actually notice the spacer itself... but seeing the wheel offset from the correct mounting surface is a huge tip off that something isn't as it should be.

But if you did the research like you said you did... then obviously they didn't offer the proper backspacing in the wheel or you would have bought it. So you played the cards you were dealt.

If someone gave me a set of wheels free or dirt cheap, sure I'd try to use them somehow. But there's a line drawn somewhere.

To each their own. No bash intended. Just wanted to let others know there are options that are worth the effort.

allcarfan · Dec 11, 2003

I think the 4.5" leaf springs will help..A lot. The proper length shackles should help too. I have lowering blocks in there that I can always grind down to make the ride height a little higher.

I have a wheel chart here...the most complete one that I have ever seen for 65/66 mustangs....in theory...all should work. However, no two cars are the same...unfortunately.

As for adapters and roadracing....THAT probably would be a good idea. Too many 'extra' parts in there. Im with you on that one.

This is just a weekend cruise car that MIGHT ...and i stress might...see a blast or two down the track. It should be a 'fun little car'

Thanks again BAD67.

Bdharn · Dec 11, 2003

Thanks Edbert for the info I found some adapters on e-bay for 169.00 and they are billet aluminum. I bought the polish wheels on e-bay as well for 475 bucks and I plan on putting them on my 01 GT. It has bullits just like yours. My car is black so they should look good. By the way your vert looks really nice.

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